Today’s Financial Message Just for you, {{ first name | friend}}
Ah, the good old days - when you could actually afford to live in the same neighborhood where all your friends hung out.
Those days might be gone in your current city, but they exist somewhere else—and moving isn't giving up, it's playing smart.
Staying put while your rent eats 50% of your paycheck is like insisting on buying CDs at full price when everyone else discovered the used bin.
The math is brutal: an extra $1,500 a month on housing is $18,000 a year you're lighting on fire instead of building wealth… Continue Reading
Oklahoma City, here we come!
Are Mortgage Payments Hogging Your Budget?
For Gen X, ‘affordability’ isn’t a buzzword. It’s survival math.
Housing costs have stayed high longer than expected. Interest rates jumped. Every day expenses have quietly crept up. For so many of us, the question isn’t “How do I get ahead?” It’s “How do I stop falling behind?”
Depends on what you’re prepared to do to wrest back control over your financial situation. Are you open to relocating?
The 5 Most Affordable Cities in the U.S.
Relocating to a more affordable city won’t fix everything. But it can:
lower your biggest expenses
reduce interest paid over time
make debt payoff or retirement savings feel possible again
The Wealthy Thinker did the research, and found five US cities where the numbers actually support that goal.
How We’re Defining “Affordable”
We’re looking at affordability the way it shows up in real life:
This isn’t about finding the cheapest place on paper. It’s about finding places where monthly cash flow actually improves.
Tap the photo for a no-nonsense guide to check out before you decide to move to the Motor City.
1. Detroit, Michigan
Best for: Slashing housing costs quickly
Average home price: ~$90,000–$120,000
Cost of living: 1.1% higher than the national average
Transportation: Car required
Everyday costs:
Gas and groceries below the national average
Utilities relatively low
Dining and entertainment are affordable
Detroit’s affordability is driven almost entirely by housing. A mortgage here can easily be $800–$1,200/month lower than in many metro areas.
That difference matters if you’re:
Paying down credit card debt
Trying to refinance into a shorter mortgage term
Catching up on retirement savings
The tradeoff: Neighborhood quality varies widely. You need to be selective.
Why it works for Gen X: If your priority is lowering fixed costs fast, Detroit does that better than almost anywhere else.
2. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Best for: Affordability without giving up livability
Average home price: ~$220,000–$240,000
Cost of living: 2% below the national average
Transportation: Walkable neighborhoods + public transit
Everyday costs:
Groceries and utilities are below average
Healthcare costs are reasonable
Dining is affordable compared to larger cities
Pittsburgh hits a sweet spot: moderate home prices + functional city infrastructure.
If you can live in a walkable neighborhood or rely on transit, you may be able to:
Drop to one car
Reduce insurance, gas, and maintenance costs
The tradeoff: Weather and older housing stock in some areas.
Why it works for Gen X: It’s affordable and practical, not a lifestyle downgrade.
What’s it like living in Cleveland? Tap the photo to find out more!
3. Cleveland, Ohio
Best for: Predictable, low everyday expenses
Average home price: ~$109,000
Cost of living: ~7% below the national average
Transportation: Car helpful; limited transit
Everyday costs:
Groceries and healthcare are notably affordable
Utilities below average
Gas prices are generally lower than in coastal cities
Cleveland shines in day-to-day affordability. Monthly expenses tend to stay boring, and boring is good when you’re budgeting.
The tradeoff: Slower job growth if you need local employment.
Why it works for Gen X: If you want fewer budget surprises and more control over cash flow, Cleveland delivers.
Oklahoma City ranks as one of the most affordable large metro areas in the US.
4. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Best for: Low costs across nearly every category
Average home price: ~$200,000–$220,000
Cost of living: ~18% below the national average
Transportation: Car required
Everyday costs:
Gas, groceries, and utilities below average
Dining and services are inexpensive
Insurance costs tend to be reasonable
Oklahoma City consistently ranks as one of the most affordable large metro areas in the U.S.
Short commutes and low congestion also mean:
Less gas usage
Lower wear and tear on vehicles
The tradeoff: Limited public transportation and walkability.
Why it works for Gen X: If you’re trying to stabilize finances while still living in a real city, OKC makes the math easier.
El Paso is another highly affordable city - find out more from their Visit El Paso website (Tap on photo.)
5. El Paso, Texas
Best for: Affordable living with quality-of-life benefits
Average home price: ~$210,000–$230,000
Cost of living: ~12% below the national average
Transportation: Mostly car-dependent
Everyday costs:
Groceries and gas are below average
Utilities reasonable
Dining and entertainment are affordable
El Paso combines affordability with mild winters, outdoor access, and a slower pace, which matters if this is a long-term move.
The tradeoff: Fewer high-paying local jobs unless you’re remote.
Why it works for Gen X: It’s affordable without feeling like a sacrifice.
A Practical Question to Ask Before You Move
Instead of “Can I afford this city?” ask:
“How much cash flow does this free up every month?”
Even an extra $800–$1,200/month can:
Accelerate debt payoff
Reduce interest paid over time
Increase retirement contributions meaningfully
That’s not a lifestyle hack. That’s math.
And for Gen Xers worried about their financial future, that can change everything.
Go Deeper
A few more Wealthy Thinker articles that might help:
“Oklahoma City, here we come!”
“Is It True US Cities Will Pay You to Live There?”
Yep, you read that right. Some US towns are so set on attracting new citizens, they provide multiple incentives to make the move. You should really check these out…
Money Mindset Message
Moving to California probably won’t result in being stalked by teen vampires. (The Lost Boys, 1987)
Something… fun?
Since we’re talking about home prices today, I thought it’d be fun to play our famous game “what’s more expensive, this townhouse in Manhattan or this castle in Scotland?”
NY Townhouse:
5 bedrooms
4.5 bathrooms
4,256sqft
built in 1899
Scottish Castle:
17 bedrooms
9 bathrooms
8 reception rooms
160 acres
no mention of square footage, I guess a million?
What did you think of today's newsletter?
Answer:
That’s right! it’s the New York Townhouse! You can grab this as a steal at $11,500,000!
The Scottish castle is a measly GBP3,250,00 ($4,451,000) basically a peasant’s wage. shameful!