The 10 Most Affordable Cities With High Salaries and Low Cost of Living in the Northeast

When you think of the Northeastern United States, "affordable" probably isn't the first word that comes to mind. It's home to many of the most expensive cities in the country. Housing costs, in particular, can be extremely high here.

Of the 10 most affordable cities in the northeast, just one, Morristown, New Jersey, has a median income that exceeds the cost-of-living estimate. While many cities in the northeast have median incomes higher than the cost of living, the cost of living in those places are too far above the national average to be considered affordable.

Read on for the full list of the 10 most affordable cities in the Northeast.

A note on methodology:

• The estimated cost of living in each city is calculated by multiplying the city's cost of living index score by the median annual household expenditure across the United States. This number is an estimate of median expenditures per household in the city.
• The estimated income-to-expense ratio is calculated by dividing the median household income in the city by the cost-of-living-estimate for the city. A higher estimated income-to-expense ratio score means the city is more affordable, as the median household income there is above the cost-of-living estimate.
• Cities with a cost-of-living value 10% or more over the national average are excluded from consideration.

1. Morristown, NJ

• Estimated income-to-expense ratio: 1.47
• Cost-of-living estimate: $77,272
• Median household income: $113,926
• Index: 105.9

Morristown, New Jersey, is the most affordable city in the northeast and third-most affordable nationwide. It's also the only city on our list in the northeast where incomes are higher than the estimated cost of living and where the cost of living is below 110% of the national average.

While the cost of living in Morristown is 6% above the national average, the median household income is a whopping 53% above the national median. Housing drives the cost of living up in Morristown and is 21% higher than the national average, according to the Council for Economic and Community Research.

Morristown is a small town of 20,000 located 30 miles west of Newark. It's full of historic Revolutionary and Civil War era sites. The largest industries in Morristown are professional services and health care.

2. Pittsburgh, PA

• Estimated income-to-expense ratio: 0.84
• Cost-of-living estimate: $71,727
• Median household income: $60,187
• Index: 98.3

Pittsburgh is the second-most affordable city in the northeast, but living there may still be a stretch for the average American. The median household income in Pittsburgh falls short of the estimated cost of living despite the latter being below the national average cost of living. That said, jobs in oil and gas, utilities, and professional services in Pittsburgh pay enough for the city to be an affordable option, per data from the Census Bureau.

Once a hub of steel manufacturing, Pittsburgh has shifted its focus to attracting tech, healthcare, and engineering firms. Ten Fortune 500 companies are headquartered there, including the famous Kraft Heinz, U.S. Steel, and aluminum manufacturer Alcoa.

Pittsburgh offers everything expected from a mid-size city: theaters, museums, ample green space and trails, a local food scene, and a trio of professional sports teams.

3. Rome, NY

• Estimated income-to-expense ratio: 0.81
• Cost-of-living estimate: $70,632
• Median household income: $56,901
• Index: 96.8

Rome, New York, is a small town 45 minutes east of Syracuse. Its cost of living is slightly below average, although the median household income there is well below the national median, as well. The largest industries in Rome are health care, public administration, and education.

Rome may be a good fit for those looking for a quiet town with easy access to the outdoors. The unique Rome Sand Plains offers trails and a fascinating ecosystem. Oneida Lake and the Delta Reservoir are nearby. The Woods Valley Ski resort is also a short drive to the north.

4. Philadelphia, PA

• Estimated income-to-expense ratio: 0.78
• Cost-of-living estimate: $74,134
• Median household income: $57,537
• Index: 101.6

Philadelphia, while being the fourth-most affordable city in the northeast, may still be a reach for some. The median household income is below the cost-of-living estimate, despite the latter being close to the national average. The city's largest employers are in health care and education.

Philadelphia has a rich and significant history. The city is peppered with landmarks and distinct neighborhoods. The food scene there is on the rise. Philadelphia also boasts professional sports teams and a number of parks.

5. Albany, NY

• Estimated income-to-expense ratio: 0.73
• Cost-of-living estimate: $75,448
• Median household income: $54,736
• Index: 103.4

The capital of New York, Albany is the fifth-most affordable city in the United States. Health care, public administration, and education are the largest industries in the city, although they don't offer the highest wages. As a result, the median household income is well below the estimated cost of living, based on data from the Census Bureau and Council for Economic and Community Research.

Albany offers a balanced experience for its residents, with cultural attractions like museums, theaters, and historic sites alongside access to the outdoors via the breathtaking Hudson Valley.

6. Scranton, PA

• Estimated income-to-expense ratio: 0.72
• Cost-of-living estimate: $67,640
• Median household income: $48,776
• Index: 92.7

Scranton's cost of living is 7% below the national average but its median household income is even lower compared to the national median. Scranton has made efforts to transition from a coal mining and manufacturing economy toward one supported by health care and public administration.

After nearly filing for bankruptcy in 2012, Scranton began to modernize its downtown. The city hopes that effort plus the low cost of living will attract businesses and families.

7. Utica, NY

• Estimated income-to-expense ratio: 0.70
• Cost-of-living estimate: $69,173
• Median household income: $48,212
• Index: 94.8

A Rust Belt city that's in the process of reinventing itself, Utica offers a below average cost of living but a low median household income, as well.

Once a manufacturing center with one of the wealthiest populations in the country, Utica has reckoned with a difficult economic transition for much of the 20th and 21st century. Health care, retail, and education are the largest industries in Utica but not the highest paying, on average.

A significant source of support and revitalization for Utica has been its openness to refugees. As of 2022, the city had resettled 17,000 refugees, which make up about a quarter of the city's population. That's led the downtown to become an international melting pot and has breathed new life into the city.

8. Allentown, PA

• Estimated income-to-expense ratio: 0.70
• Cost-of-living estimate: $75,375
• Median household income: $52,449
• Index: 103.3

Allentown, Pennsylvania is the eighth-most affordable city in the northeast and third-largest city in Pennsylvania. The cost of living there is slightly above average, while the median household income is below the national median, according to data from the Census Bureau and Council for Economic and Community Research.

Like many other Rust Belt cities, Allentown has had to reinvent itself. Logistics and health care are now the largest industries in the city. To attract workers and businesses, Allentown has taken steps to refresh its downtown and showcase its green spaces and cultural institutions. Car aficionados will love the America On Wheels Museum. During the hot summer months, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is one of the most popular attractions.

9. Wilkes-Barre, PA

• Estimated income-to-expense ratio: 0.70
• Cost-of-living estimate: $66,984
• Median household income: $46,597
• Index: 91.8

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, has a below-average cost of living paired with a median household income far below the national median. Coal propelled the city's growth in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but flooding impacting a number of mines and the decline of the coal industry has led to population decline and economic struggles.

Wilkes-Barre has undertaken multiple revitalization projects in recent years to attract new residents and businesses. Its low cost of living and proximity to a number of outdoor attractions, including the Poconos, make it an attractive destination for some.

10. New Haven, CT

• Estimated income-to-expense ratio: 0.68
• Cost-of-living estimate: $79,461
• Median household income: $54,305
• Index: 108.9

While New Haven is the 10th-most affordable city in the northeast, it may be out of reach for many due to the city's above-average cost of living and relatively low median household income.

Yale has a large influence over the economy and culture of New Haven. The university is the largest employer in the city and is connected to the city's other large industries, including health care and biotechnology.

New Haven has consistently ranked high as a foodie destination and is known for its own New Haven-style pizza.

Cheapest and most expensive cities in the northeast United States

According to cost of living data from the Council for Community and Economic Research, these are the 10 cheapest and most expensive cities in the northeast U.S. to live in based on data from the first quarter of 2024.

A cost-of-living index of 100 represents the nationwide average, with a lower score meaning the cost of living in that city is lower.

These lists are based only on the cost-of-living index, not overall affordability. This is based on the median household income in each city relative to the cost of living there.

Cheapest cities in the northeast U.S.

Most expensive cities in the northeast U.S.

Sources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023). “Consumer Expenditure Survey”.
• Census Bureau (2023). “American Community Survey.”
• Council for Community and Economic Research (2024). “2024 Q1 Annual Average Cost of Living Index Report.”