Starting fresh in a scenic, affordable part of America is achievable with a budget-friendly approach. Below, we’ll explore some of the best regions to consider, break down cost-of-living comparisons, and include an Excel example with a basic formula to help calculate monthly expenses.
The Five Cheapest Scenic Regions in the U.S.
To keep this simple and practical, we’ll look at five regions with access to beautiful natural surroundings—lakes, rivers, mountains, and forests—without the high cost typically associated with major coastal cities.
1. Upper Midwest (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota)
- Scenic Qualities: The Upper Midwest offers Great Lakes coastline, dense forests, and rolling hills. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, for example, is both affordable and scenic.
- Cost of Living: Rural areas in Michigan and Wisconsin are often 20-30% below the national average.
- Rent Example: A two-bedroom apartment in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula might rent for around $800 per month.
2. Appalachian Region (Tennessee, West Virginia)
- Scenic Qualities: Appalachian towns feature mountains, rivers, and forests. Tennessee also has no state income tax.
- Cost of Living: Typically 15-25% below the national average, with rent in many areas around $600–$1,000.
- Rent Example: A two-bedroom apartment in eastern Tennessee might cost about $700.
3. Pacific Northwest (Western Oregon, Washington)
- Scenic Qualities: This region has coastlines, rivers, and evergreen forests. Towns like Eugene, OR, and Olympia, WA, provide scenic beauty with moderate rent.
- Cost of Living: Rural areas are about 10-20% cheaper than urban areas, with rents around $1,000–$1,200.
- Rent Example: A one-bedroom in a smaller town might cost around $1,000.
4. Southeast U.S. (North Carolina, Georgia)
- Scenic Qualities: North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Georgia’s forests offer beautiful scenery without coastal prices.
- Cost of Living: Generally 10-20% below the national average, with rentals priced at $700–$1,000.
- Rent Example: A one-bedroom apartment in the North Carolina mountains might be around $750.
5. Ozarks (Missouri, Arkansas)
- Scenic Qualities: The Ozark Mountains offer rivers, lakes, and forested hills with an affordable rural lifestyle.
- Cost of Living: 20-30% below the national average, with rent around $600–$900.
- Rent Example: In Fayetteville, AR, a two-bedroom apartment might rent for $850 per month.
Cost Calculation Example and Excel Budget
Here’s a sample monthly budget using Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as an example. This budget assumes a modest apartment, basic utilities, food, and other essentials.
Monthly Cost Breakdown (Example)
| Expense Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (2-bedroom) | $800 |
| Utilities | $150 |
| Groceries | $300 |
| Transportation | $100 |
| Miscellaneous | $100 |
| Total | $1,450 |
This example shows that, in a rural Michigan town, you can live comfortably on $1,450 per month. By sharing an apartment or finding a place with lower rent, these expenses can be reduced further.
Excel Budgeting Tool
Using an Excel table to track monthly expenses can help you stick to your budget and adapt it over time. Here’s a sample formula setup:
- Set Up Your Table: Label columns for each expense category (e.g., Rent, Utilities, Groceries, Transportation, Miscellaneous).
- Input the Values: Manually input or estimate each cost in the relevant cells.
- Sum Formula:
- In Excel, use the formula
=SUM(B2:B6)if your expenses are in cells B2 to B6. - This will automatically total your expenses for the month.
- In Excel, use the formula
Here’s how it might look in Excel:
| Expense Category | Monthly Cost | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | 800 | Input manually |
| Utilities | 150 | Input manually |
| Groceries | 300 | Input manually |
| Transportation | 100 | Input manually |
| Miscellaneous | 100 | Input manually |
| Total | $1,450 | =SUM(B2:B6) |
Savings Goal Calculation
To save for a future down payment while renting, consider setting aside a portion of your monthly budget. Suppose you save $500 per month; use the following formula:
- Goal: Save $12,000 over two years.
- Formula in Excel:
=500*24for two years of saving $500 per month.
This approach will help you reach a $12,000 down payment in two years, keeping your monthly expenses manageable.
Finding a new place to call home in a scenic, affordable part of America is possible, and with $30k saved, you’re already well-positioned. An Excel budget allows you to adjust for each location’s cost differences and plan for long-term savings. By sticking to your budget and focusing on affordable regions, you’ll be able to enjoy natural beauty while working toward eventual homeownership.
