What are the cheapest big cities to live in in the United States? - TRAVEL,

For the price of one month’s rent in the big city, you could live like royalty in one of these other cities. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, consider moving to one of these places. In fact, there are so many affordable big cities that we couldn’t fit them all into one list, so check out our second list, 10 More Affordable Big Cities in America. We also have an article with 30 Cheap Places to Live Around the World if you feel like getting out of town.

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Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; Memphis, TN; St. Louis, MO; Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN; Philadelphia, PA; Milwaukee, WI; Detroit, MI; El Paso TX/Las Cruces NM (tie); New York City and Los Angeles (tie) This data was compiled by WalletHub based on 10 key metrics including cost of living, median home price and income after housing costs. To read more about their methodology click here.

Memphis, Tennessee

The city is known for Elvis Presley, Graceland, and good barbecue, but it’s also known for its low cost of living. This year, Memphis landed at No. 4 on Forbes’ list of America’s Cheapest Cities To Live In. The median home price is $130,000 and groceries cost 9% less than they do nationwide. Housing costs in general are 8% lower than average, according to data from Zillow. Additionally, residents can expect a 5.4% unemployment rate—well below average—and a median household income of $41,902 per year.

El Paso, Texas

The western Texan city might be best known for its proximity to Ciudad Juarez, a Mexican city situated across from El Paso on the other side of one of only two permanent international land borders. However, thanks to its low cost of living (at least among large U.S. cities), El Paso is also home to some of America’s lowest costs. According to Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index, El Paso is more than 20 percent cheaper than New York City and almost 50 percent less expensive than San Francisco. Additionally, Texas has no state income tax and relatively lax business regulations—two factors that help keep prices down in major Texas cities like Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth as well as smaller towns like Midland and College Station.

Wichita, Kansas

Those living on a budget should consider moving to Wichita, Kansas. Not only does it rank as one of US News & World Report’s top 50 affordable midsized metro areas for 2014, but it also boasts an unemployment rate of just 3.3%. The city’s average rent is $762 per month, and its violent crime rate is less than half that of many other large metros in the U.S. In addition, Wichita offers plenty of entertainment options with museums such as Old Cowtown Museum and Mid-America All-Indian Center, performing arts venues like Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center, and sports teams like FC Wichita Soccer Club.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Sin City is a great choice for anyone who wants to explore America on a budget. The city is known for its gambling and party scene. Other cheap activities include going shopping, eating at buffets, and visiting Hoover Dam. The cost of living here is 7 percent lower than average compared with other large US cities—making it one of the cheapest places to live in America. If you’re looking for an inexpensive place to stay, try Motel 6 (from $40 per night). The major downside of Vegas is that it’s not family-friendly. It also doesn’t have many cultural attractions or museums. If you want to visit nearby national parks like Death Valley or Zion National Park, expect to pay extra fees because they’re out of state.

Phoenix, Arizona

When considering the cost of living, there is a difference between cheap and affordable. Affordable means you can still pay for all your needs, but cheap means you might want to get a second job. Phoenix is affordable (the average home costs $240,000) but not cheap. While it isn’t exactly Miami or New York City expensive, it’s not like anyone would mistake Arizona for being a low-cost state either. The weather is nice and mild, however, so if you prefer warm weather over saving money, consider moving to Phoenix. It’s also one of few large U.S. cities with no income tax whatsoever.

Columbus, Ohio

The capital of Ohio, Columbus has a population of more than 800,000 and boasts a cost-of-living index that’s eight points lower than America’s average. Housing costs are more affordable here, too. According to U.S. News & World Report, the median rent for an apartment is $827—$205 less than what you’d pay for similar accommodations in New York City or Washington D.C., two other expensive cities on our list. And if you don’t want to spend money on rent, there are plenty of reasonably priced neighborhoods with decent schools nearby where you can find homes for sale at reasonable prices—around $150,000 or less.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

$48,882 annually—okay, so maybe Oklahoma City isn’t exactly a big city. And with a median home price of $142,000, it’s not exactly cheap either. But with job growth of 3.1 percent and an unemployment rate of only 4 percent, Oklahoma City is affordable for most—especially when compared with other major U.S. cities like San Francisco and New York. The average commute time is 20 minutes, while groceries cost around 12 percent less than they do on average nationwide. While you might think of Oklahoma as more cowboys and country music than high-tech innovation hubs, OKC has actually become something of a tech hub over recent years. In fact, Forbes recently named it one of America’s fastest-growing cities for tech jobs; by 2022 that number should grow even higher as companies like Amazon plan to add thousands more jobs in the area.

San Antonio, Texas

When it comes to living expenses, San Antonio tops our list for being one of America’s best-priced metropolises. Housing costs, which make up nearly half of a household’s budget, aren’t particularly cheap. But what really makes San Antonio a great deal is its relatively low cost of living in other categories like groceries, utilities, and transportation. Overall, you can expect to spend about 20 percent less than average on these basic needs when you call Texas home. To help put that into perspective, let’s take a look at how much money an individual would need to earn each year in order to maintain his or her current standard of living in some popular U.S.

Detroit, Michigan

Located on the Detroit River, close proximity to Canada and its cheap housing have made it an attractive place for students and young professionals. The city offers cultural centers like the Detroit Institute of Arts as well as sports stadiums. With a population of around 688,000 people, Detroit boasts one of the most affordable housing prices. However, the crime rate is high and public transportation is not up to par. If you’re moving to Detroit, make sure you have a car at your disposal!