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The 25 Best Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2017

By U.S. News & World Report

Live cheaper in these metro areas.

Living in the city of your dreams might be a nightmare if you can’t afford to live the way you would like. To help determine the Best Places to Live in the U.S. rankings, U.S. News broke down affordability in the 100 largest metro areas in the country. We examined what portion of the median blended annual household income went to the average cost of owning or renting a home, as well as the average cost of utilities and taxes. Read on for the 25 Best Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2017.

25. Washington, D.C.

Best Places to Live Rank: 4
Metro Population: 5,949,403
Median Annual Salary: $65,910
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 26.68 percent

Despite the District of Columbia having the fifth-highest cost of living out of the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S., the nation’s capital is the 25th best affordable place to live. The District’s median blended annual household income — the median total income for households (rather than individuals) that rent or own a home in the area — is more than $95,000. This makes the blended annual cost of living — factoring in mortgage payments, rent, utilities and taxes — of slightly more than $25,000 comparatively affordable.

24. Charlotte, North Carolina

Best Places to Live Rank: 14
Metro Population: 2,338,792
Median Annual Salary: $48,370
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 26.66 percent

Charlotte comes in at No. 24, with residents spending 26.66 percent of the median blended annual household income on housing costs. With high scores in other categories, including net migration to the area and desirability among U.S. residents, Charlotte ranks 14th on the overall Best Places to Live list.

23. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Best Places to Live Rank: 59
Metro Population: 962,676
Median Annual Salary: $43,730
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 26.54 percent

One spot behind another Oklahoma metro area, Tulsa keeps money in its residents’ pockets, with a blended annual cost of living at just 26.54 percent. With a median home price of just $148,788, according to real estate information company Zillow, homeownership is more accessible here than in many other U.S. metro areas.

22. Oklahoma City

Best Places to Live Rank: 36
Metro Population: 1,318,408
Median Annual Salary: $44,280
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 26.49 percent

With a median home price of $149,646, according to Zillow, purchasing a home in Oklahoma City is more than $50,000 less than the national average. Residents of Oklahoma’s capital spend just 26.49 percent of the median blended household income on housing.

21. Columbus, Ohio

Best Places to Live Rank: 57
Metro Population: 1,972,375
Median Annual Salary: $47,420
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 26.47 percent

At No. 21 on the list, Ohio’s capital has a median home price of just $167,688, according to Zillow. On the overall Best Places to Live list, Columbus receives its highest scores for affordability and its growing job market, with finance and insurance and health care among the area’s top industries.

20. Houston

Best Places to Live Rank: 20
Metro Population: 6,346,653
Median Annual Salary: $51,830
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 26.47 percent

The largest metro area to make the Best Affordable Places to Live list, Houston residents spend 26.47 percent of the median blended household income on housing. The Texas metro area also sees a relatively low cost of living despite the significant number of people moving there. Houston’s population grew by 6.84 percent between 2011 and 2015 due to net migration alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

19. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Best Places to Live Rank: 34
Metro Population: 558,198
Median Annual Salary: $46,520
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 26.41 percent

If you’re looking for an inexpensive home, Harrisburg is certainly the place. The median home price is just $83,500, according to Zillow. And while the median blended annual household income is also on the lower end, it balances well with the cheap cost of living, with residents spending just 26.41 percent of their income on housing.

18. St. Louis

Best Places to Live Rank: 65
Metro Population: 2,801,914
Median Annual Salary: $47,200
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 26.38 percent

On the eastern edge of Missouri, St. Louis remains affordable for residents despite being the state’s largest metro area. Households in the St. Louis area spend 26.38 percent of their blended annual income on housing and utilities.

17. Kansas City, Missouri

Best Places to Live Rank: 48
Metro Population: 2,055,675
Median Annual Salary: $47,640
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 26.31 percent

As a metro area straddling two states — Missouri and Kansas — Kansas City keeps the cost of living cheap for residents of both states. With housing and utilities typically costing just over 26.3 percent of the blended annual household income, Kansas City moved up two spots on the Best Affordable Places to Live list this year, when it ranked No. 19 in 2016.

16. Wichita, Kansas

Best Places to Live Rank: 68
Metro Population: 638,884
Median Annual Salary: $42,400
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 26.01 percent

The largest metro area in Kansas, Wichita has a population of just 638,884 people — on the smaller end of the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. But a smaller population helps to make the area relatively affordable. Wichita residents spend just over 26 percent of their annual household income on housing and utilities.

15. Little Rock, Arkansas

Best Places to Live Rank: 38
Metro Population: 722,684
Median Annual Salary: $152,267
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 26.01 percent

Little Rock was the fourth Best Affordable Place to Live in the U.S. in 2016, but it has moved back on the list despite its residents spending less on housing and utilities this year. Little Rock residents currently spend 26.01 percent of their income on housing, compared to 27.21 percent last year.

14. Cincinnati

Best Places to Live Rank: 53
Metro Population: 2,139,466
Median Annual Salary: $47,030
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 25.97 percent

At No. 14, Cincinnati makes living easy on its residents, who spend less than 26 percent of their income on housing and utilities. With a median home price of $154,434, according to Zillow, Cincinnati’s housing market has seen modest increases in home values since 2014.

13. Louisville, Kentucky

Best Places to Live Rank: 43
Metro Population: 1,261,936
Median Annual Salary: $43,410
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 25.91 percent

A ways south on the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Louisville’s cost of living consumes a slightly smaller percentage of residents’ blended annual household incomes. A consistently declining unemployment rate and modest population growth due to net migration also contributed to Louisville’s No. 43 ranking in the overall Best Places to Live in the U.S. list.

12. Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina

Best Places to Live Rank: 7
Metro Population: 1,750,865
Median Annual Salary: $51,150
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 25.85 percent

The fact that the Raleigh and Durham metro area is relatively affordable — with residents spending just 25.85 percent of the blended annual household income on housing and utilities — contributes to the trend in businesses and residents flocking to this North Carolina hot spot. Raleigh and Durham grew by 6.42 percent between 2011 and 2015 due to net migration alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, making it the 10th fastest-growing metro area due to net migration out of the 100 largest in the U.S.

11. Salt Lake City

Best Places to Live Rank: 10
Metro Population: 2,325,531
Median Annual Salary: $44,752
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 25.78 percent

Both the capital of Utah and the state’s largest city, Salt Lake City is also a popular stop for many skiers and outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the nearby Wasatch Mountain Range. But the area also remains affordable for residents. Salt Lakers spend 25.78 percent of the blended annual household income on housing and utilities.

10. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Best Places to Live Rank: 63
Metro Population: 819,861
Median Annual Salary: $43,700
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 25.74 percent

Louisiana’s capital rounds out the top 10, with residents spending 25.74 percent of their income on living expenses. Roughly two-thirds the size of its more widely visited in-state counterpart New Orleans, Baton Rouge attracts many college sports fans as the home of Louisiana State University.

9. Minneapolis-St. Paul

Best Places to Live Rank: 17
Metro Population: 3,458,790
Median Annual Salary: $53,450
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 25.71 percent

Minneapolis-St. Paul scores high for its flourishing job market and quality of life, but the area increases its appeal with a low cost of living. The Twin Cities have a median home value of $223,995, according to Zillow, which is slightly over the national average at $211,731. But residents still only pay 25.71 percent of the blended annual household income toward housing and utilities.

8. Syracuse, New York

Best Places to Live Rank: 28
Metro Population: 661,914
Median Annual Salary: $47,330
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 25.66 percent

The first of two Upstate New York metro areas on the list, Syracuse is affordable for renters in particular, as the average monthly rent is just $771, according to Zillow. Whether they own or rent, Syracuse residents pay 25.66 percent of the blended annual household income toward housing and utilities.

7. Buffalo, New York

Best Places to Live Rank: 33
Metro Population: 1,135,734
Median Annual Salary: $45,060
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 25.54 percent

As one of the country’s former industrial hubs, Buffalo has shrunk significantly over the last 60 years. But the good news is area residents benefit from a low cost of living. Spending just 25.54 percent of the blended annual household income on housing and utilities, Buffalonians have also been enjoying steadily declining unemployment rates since 2012, dropping from 8.5 percent that year to 5 percent in 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

6. Pittsburgh

Best Places to Live Rank: 58
Metro Population: 2,358,926
Median Annual Salary: $46,270
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 25.49 percent

Moving up from the No. 11 spot in the 2016 ranking for the Best Affordable Places to Live, Pittsburgh‘s residents spend less than 25.5 percent of the blended annual household income on housing and utilities. With a median home price of $141,577, homeownership in the Steel City is roughly $70,000 below the national average, according to Zillow.

5. Fayetteville, Arkansas

Best Places to Live Rank: 5
Metro Population: 493,095
Median Annual Salary: $43,570
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 25.47 percent

The fastest-growing metro area in Arkansas takes the No. 5 spot. Residents spend 25.47 percent of the blended annual household income on a mortgage or rent and utilities. Also coming in the overall Best Places to Live list at No. 5, Fayetteville is seeing significant population growth, plus a short commute time and low crime rate contribute to its appeal among the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S.

4. Grand Rapids, Michigan

Best Places to Live Rank: 19
Metro Population: 1,017,877
Median Annual Salary: $42,950
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 25.36 percent

Turning back to the Midwest for the remaining four Best Affordable Places, this western Michigan metro area costs residents little, with just 25.36 percent of the blended annual household income going toward housing and utilities. Like Fayetteville, Grand Rapids also lands in the top 20 of the overall Best Places to Live ranking, with a strong job market and high college readiness scores among high school students.

3. Indianapolis

Best Places to Live Rank: 55
Metro Population: 1,950,674
Median Annual Salary: $45,780
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 25.24 percent

At No. 3, Indianapolis costs its residents 25.24 percent of the blended annual household income for housing and utilities. In the past year, Indiana’s capital has become a more affordable city for its residents, as housing took up 27.31 percent of the typical household income in 2016.

2. Omaha, Nebraska

Best Places to Live Rank: 25
Metro Population: 895,919
Median Annual Salary: $44,920
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 25.18 percent

Omaha ranks the second Best Affordable Place to Live in the U.S., with residents spending 25.18 percent of the blended annual household income on housing and utilities. With a median home price of just $152,450, according to Zillow, homeownership is achievable for many residents in the metro area.

1. Des Moines, Iowa

Best Places to Live Rank: 9
Metro Population: 601,187
Median Annual Salary: $47,170
Income Spent on Living Expenses: 23.8 percent

Iowa’s capital is 2017’s Best Affordable Place to Live is the only one out of the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. to have a cost of living below 25 percent of the blended annual household income. Des Moines moves up one spot on the Best Affordable list from last year, where it ranked second to Fayetteville.

More from U.S. News

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The 20 Best Places to Live in the U.S. for the Weather

The 25 Most Desirable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2017

The 25 Best Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2017 originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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