If you’re one of the millions of Americans who now work from home, it can mean there’s more flexibility in your life. You could move to a town further away from your office or to the other side of the country. It can feel like the options are endless. If you’re looking to use this as a chance to save on your cost of living, these are the up-and-coming, inexpensive remote work locations across the United States to consider.

Note: The average cost of living (C.O.L.) score in the US is 100.

A C.O.L score below one hundred means it is cheaper than the national average, while a score higher than one hundred means the area has a higher cost of living than the national average.

All data for median home values sourced from Zillow.com

All data for cost of living sourced from BestPlaces.net

Northeast

The Northeast is full of historic charm and colorful seasons. These are the destinations you can enjoy without the high cost of living of a place like New York City.

Urban: Montpelier, Vermont— C.O.L. score: 99.5

Anyone who loves snow sports should consider moving to VT. With more free time and a lower cost of living, you can grab an annual ski or snowboard pass at a nearby resort. But aside from the nearby winter sports, Montpelier, VT, offers the feeling of city life without the city prices. There are plenty of delicious restaurants, spacious homes at a median price of $303K, and top-rated schools.

Suburban: Plymouth, New Hampshire– C.O.L. score: 88.7

Adventure-seekers will feel at home in Plymouth, NH, This small town offers loads of year-round outdoor fun, such as parachuting, skiing, fishing, and camping. Settle down in a charming cottage, since the median home value is a shockingly affordable $248K for New England.

Rural: Lancaster, Pennsylvania— C.O.L. score: 86.8

The best words to describe Lancaster County, PA, are open fields, gorgeous farmhouse properties, tight-knit community events, and quaint, delicious bakeries. Lancaster is rated an 86.8 and has a median home value of $275K, so the cost of living is significantly less than the rest of the US. It’s only about an hour from Philadelphia and 2–3 hours from the neighboring New Jersey and Delaware beaches.

South 

It’s no secret that the South tends to be a bit cheaper when it comes to real estate, but prices are rising quickly now that people can move to warmer weather and clear water beaches. So take advantage of these gems while they’re affordable!

Urban: Nashville, Tennessee— C.O.L. score: 101.4

Nashville, TN, is home to great music, delicious BBQ, and friendly people. While Nashville is sitting just at the average cost of living in the US it is still a bargain for all that it has to offer. The median home value is $340K, but the median rent is lower than the US average, so it’s worth considering if you want to rent.

Suburban: Brunswick, Georgia— C.O.L. score: 81.7

Located halfway between Savannah, GA, and Jacksonville, FL, Brunswick, GA, is a quaint suburban town by the sea. The median home value is an affordable $160K, but you should prepare for intensely hot weather. However, residents enjoy a wide array of leisurely activities in the nearby water attractions through the fall.  

Rural: Huntsville, Texas — C.O.L. score: 87.1

Everything’s bigger in Texas—except the price tag. In Huntsville, TX, you can expect a slow pace of life, friendly neighbors, and time by the lake without the noise of city life. The median home price is $204K, so this could be your budget-friendly destination for some after-work peace.

Midwest 

America’s heartland is ready to welcome remote workers with open arms and affordable housing options. Consider what the peaceful Midwest can offer you to boost your quality of life while lowering your bills.

Urban: Milwaukee, Wisconsin— C.O.L score: 84.9

Have a pint at a local brewery and catch a game of baseball in Milwaukee, WI. The cost of rent in Milwaukee is far cheaper than the national average, and the median home value is $159K, so you might have more cash to spend on the fun events and activities offered year-round. But bundle up because winters can be extreme!

Suburban: Dayton, Ohio— C.O.L. score: 71.4

Dayton, OH, is home to the nation’s largest network of paved recreation trails, so you can get outside after working in front of a screen all day. The median home value is a shockingly low $85K, making it a great place for first-time homebuyers looking for a suburb with historical charm, family-friendly downtown events, and outdoor activities.

Rural: Whitestown, Indiana— C.O.L. score: 91.4 

Indulge in a local winery’s offerings and drive through a scenic forest in Whitestown, IN. There are plenty of farmer’s markets and adorable antique shops to satiate the craving for small country town living, and, with a median home price of $280K, it’s hard not to pack your bags and move now!

West 

It can be hard to imagine that there’s anywhere affordable to live on the West Coast. However, these locations prove that you can enjoy living along next to the Pacific Ocean without the sticker price you can encounter in places like Los Angeles.

Urban: Spokane, Washington— C.O.L. score: 92.3

Imagine a city on the West Coast with a median home value of $333K. Spokane, WA, offers a city full of art, culture, and parks with an ideal location close to outdoor adventure activities at nearby Diamond Lake, which is only an hour outside the city limits.  

Suburban: Apache Junction, Arizona— C.O.L. score: 96.6 

A bit further inland, Apache Junction, AZ, is just east of Phoenix, AZ, and it’s a young, vibrant community with beautiful wildlife, steamboat transportation, and canyon backdrops you can use on your Zoom conference calls. The median home value is only $298K, which is far lower than the state’s median home value of $344K, so you can kick back and enjoy the sun in your backyard pool.

Rural: Brogan, Oregon— C.O.L. score: 101 

Brogan, OR, is roughly on par with the national average cost of living, and it offers a hub of wildlife refuges, rivers, and a rustic off-the-beaten-path vibe that some people are craving post-quarantine. Snatch a piece of property for a median home value of $118K so you can work by day and adventure by night.