Best Cities in the U.S. For Your Money

If you are looking to relocate either for a new job, better education, or for most any reason, you will want to consider several factor. Among these should be the Income growth for the area, the average household income, and the cost of living. Each of these will have a very real effect on your earning potential, as well as how far your money goes once you earn it.

The earning potential for any given metropolitan area can be judged by the average household income, as well as the income growth for the city. The percentage of income growth is from 2005 to 2008 and should not be seen as an indication of future income growth, only a report on past performance.

The cities with the best income growth were;

1. College Station/Bryan Texas - 17.1%

2. Sebastian, Florida - 14.1%

3. Midland, Texas - 12.6%

4. Dothan, Alabama - 11.9%

The cities with the worst income growth were;

1. Rochester, Minnesota - -9.9%

2. Gainsville, Florida - -5.8%

3. Blacksburg, Virginia - -3.4%

4. State College, Pennsylvania - -3.2%

Cities with the highest household incomes were;

1. San Jose, California - $82,664

2. Washington, DC - $81,163

3. Oxnard, California - $72,984

4. San Francisco, California - $72,059

Cities with the lowest household incomes were;

1. Brownsville, Texas - $28,026

2. McAllen, Texas - $28,328

3. El Paso, Texas - $33,684

4. Las Cruces, New Mexico - $34,118

The final element is the cost of living. Which cities will cost you the most to live there and which are the most affordable? In the cost of living ratings a 100 is considered the average for the nation. Above 100 is a high cost of living while below 100 is a low cost of living. The best and worst in this category may surprise some.

Lowest cost of living can be found in;

1. Fort Smith, Arkansas - 83

1. Pueblo, Colorado - 83

3. Hagestown, Maryland - 84

4. Tulsa, Oklahoma - 85

4. Jonesboro, Arkansas - 85

4. Dothan, Alabama - 85

The highest cost of living is found in;

1. New York - 400

2. Honolulu - 165

3. San Jose, California - 158

4. Los Angeles - 142

All data came from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau. Since no city appears at the top of any two list you will have to decide which city or area suits you best. If retiring you may look more closely at the cost of living. If you are still in your prime you are most probably looking more at earning potential.