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You’ve probably heard Mexico and Portugal thrown around when people talk about stretching a dollar-rent, food, healthcare they all cost noticeably less than in many U.S. cities. What if you could stay in the U.S. and still find cities where your living costs and medical care are comparable to those abroad? It’s not just a dream. There are U.S. cities where housing, health costs, groceries, often taxes, are low enough that you’ll feel like you got away without crossing a border. Below are eight U.S. cities that offer that kind of value. I’ll compare what you give up and what you gain.
1. McAllen, Texas
McAllen shows up repeatedly as one of the cheapest places in the U.S. when it comes to healthcare. You can expect medical costs around 30% below the national average. Housing is a major win. Rents are much lower than the U.S. average for both one-bedroom and multi-bedroom units. Groceries, transportation, utilities also sit well below average for the nation. If you compare to places in Mexico or Portugal, McAllen offers similar affordability in essentials, though you may lose some of the cultural vibe, climate, and proximity to international travel that Mexico or Portugal can offer. What you gain is easy access to U.S. health care standards, no visa border issues, and much more predictable infrastructure.
2. Cookeville, Tennessee
Cookeville combines small-city comforts with hard savings. Healthcare costs are about 22% lower than the U.S. average. Rents here are modest; housing is affordable. Utilities, groceries, and local services come at prices that don’t feel like you’re paying a premium just for somewhere safe. If you compare to a mid-sized city in Portugal or smaller cities in Mexico, you’ll often find your total monthly expenses (housing + essentials + health) are in the same ballpark, especially if you live simply. The trade-offs: fewer big-city amenities, longer travel times for certain specialists, less international flavor. But if cost is a priority, it’s a powerful option.
3. Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington delivers good healthcare access, lower cost of living, and a culture of community without big city crowding. Healthcare is around 21-22% below national average on certain indexes. You’ll find that rents and housing costs are cheaper than many U.S. metros, particularly ones on the coasts. Consumer goods, food, entertainment are cheaper too. In comparison to Portugal or Mexico, Lexington doesn’t offer beaches or ocean views, but it gives you a strong balance: good quality medical care, lower overhead, and fairly easy travel if you need more specialized services elsewhere.
4. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is remarkable for how far your money goes. One-bedroom rents are frequently around $900 or less in many parts, utilities are fair, transportation costs modest. The cost of health care in OK generally falls below U.S. average when compared regionally. So your monthly budget for housing + health + food can often rival what folks might spend in less touristic areas of Mexico or Portugal. What this really means is you can enjoy space, access to services, good roads, public utilities in many ways the U.S. standard without paying a premium. If you need big specialized medical care you may sometimes travel, but for regular health care, it works well.
5. Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock offers one of the lower cost bases among capital cities. Housing is affordable, rents modest, groceries and everyday expenses are below U.S. average. Health care is less expensive than in many higher-cost metros (though Arkansas overall has variability). While you might have fewer luxury services compared to large coastal cities, the infrastructure is solid. If you compare with mid-level living in Portugal or Mexico, you’ll find that Little Rock’s baseline costs-rent, food, local doctor visits, etc. are similar. You may have to accept a different cultural feel, less international travel, and milder but more variable climate depending on season, but for many people that’s a fair trade.
6. Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is another example where healthcare, housing, and daily life costs are well down from the U.S. average. Rents are low, utilities and food are cheaper, insurance tends to cost less. Taxes are more friendly in many ways. For someone comparing to life in Mexico or Portugal, living here can feel similar in cost, especially if you don’t need the luxuries of a big city. You lose some options in terms of world-class arts or high end international cuisine, but you keep good medical facilities, reliable services, and lower stress on your budget.
7. Wichita, Kansas
Wichita gives you one of the best bang for buck metrics when it comes to space, rent, and general living costs. One-bedroom rents often run under $600 in less pricey neighborhoods. Local care is accessible; many basic and even specialty services are within reach without needing to travel far. What you really get is a chance to live comfortably on far less maybe even what others would spend abroad. Again, you trade off some glamour, beachside scenery, or international flavor, but if your priority is affordability and you want U.S. medical standards, Wichita is strong.
8. San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio hits a sweet spot: large enough to have many amenities, medical facilities, variety, yet still offering affordability. Rent is lower than many U.S. metros; housing outside prime neighborhoods is reasonable. Healthcare costs, though not rock bottom, are below or near average depending on insurer. You’ll find groceries, food services, utilities often cheaper than many coastal U.S. cities. Compare to Portugal or Mexico: you get a more familiar legal system, easier logistics, possibly more career opportunities, while keeping many living costs in line with what you might pay abroad. If your income or savings come from abroad or remote work, this kind of place lets you live better without astray costs.