Low Costs, Strong Values: The Best Conservative States to Call Home

Life has gotten more expensive in the last couple of years, especially during Biden’s administration. Consumer prices have increased by 21% since August 2020. And as a result, many Americans are seeking more affordable places to live—without downgrading their quality of life.

But affordability isn’t the only factor when choosing a new home. Equally important is finding a community that matches your political and social values. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the 10 most affordable conservative states to live in for 2025.

What is the most affordable conservative state to live in?

The most affordable conservative state to live in is West Virginia, with a cost of living index at 84.8 (What this means: WV is ~15% cheaper than a 100% baseline, which is roughly a national average; it means that the cost of living benchmark was set at 100 and WV is below that; so states with 130.5 points are ~30% more expensive than the baseline). The median home values round $163,700 and a median monthly rent of just $1,100. For a household of four, the living wage is $97,676 as of February 2025. According to a relocation firm, West Virginia was the top destination state that movers went to in 2024.

With a PVI score of R+22, West Virginia is ranked as the second most conservative state in the nation. Nearly 45% of voters identify as conservative, compared to just 17% who identify as liberal. In the 2024 election, Donald Trump won the state with 69.97% of the vote and maintained the GOP’s dominance in presidential races since 2008. Maybe West Virginia is the place you belong to after all.

How did we pick which states were the most affordable? 

Instead of just looking at housing prices, we used the cost of living index from Statista for 2024. Housing costs matter, but they’re only part of the picture. Things like median salary, food, transportation, and healthcare also play a big role in how affordable a state really is. While some of the biggest cities have insanely-high salaries, the cost of living in the biggest cities eats into them, leaving nothing but scraps.

The cost of living index helps compare how expensive different states are by using the U.S. average as a baseline, set at 100. If a state has an index of 200, it's twice as expensive as the national average. If it's 50, it's half as expensive. For context, the median home value in America is $340,200, and the median household income of $77,719, and the average rent is $2,000. So let’s look at the most affordable conservative states to live in in 2025. 

List of the most affordable conservative states to live in

These are the most affordable conservative states to live in across the United States. Affordable is just a nicer way of saying “cheap,” as in, you don’t need to spend as much money as elsewhere to live very well.

West Virginia

With it cost of living index at 84.8, West Virginia is the most affordable conservative state to live in. Once a Democratic stronghold, it has shifted sharply to the right and is now deeply Republican, with a GOP supermajority in its legislature. The state's low living costs combine with a prevalent culture of self-sufficiency and support for gun rights (actually, almost anyone can possess a handgun).

Kansas

Kansas ranks as the second-best most affordable conservative state to live in, with a cost of living index of just 86.7. Housing remains budget-friendly, with a median home value of $243,200 and monthly rent averaging $1,215. Other than that, a living wage for a family of four rounds $100,339.

Kansas is a particularly conservative state with a long-standing Republican tradition. It has voted red in every presidential election since 1964, and the GOP holds supermajorities in both the House and Senate. Kansas is also known for its permissive gun laws and strong evangelical influences.

Mississippi

Coming in at number three is Mississippi with a cost of living index of 87.5. Part of what makes it one of the most affordable conservative states to live in is its living wage of $93,308 for a family of four. Additionally, the median home value in Mississippi is $169,800 and a median monthly rent is $1,450. 

Mississippi is deeply conservative, and Republican candidates have won in every presidential election since 1980. The state prioritizes customary ideals such as religious freedom and low taxes, but Jackson, MS, is mostly controlled by Democrats. The results: being called a “murder capital” by a left-leaning newspaper, and an indictment issued against the Mayor.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1968, and it has moved to the fourth place in our most affordable conservative states to live in ranking. The cost of living index for Oklahoma is 87.9, while the living wage for a family of four is $104,374. Additionally, the median home value stands at $208,600 and the median monthly rent is $1,400.

In 2016, 2020, and 2024, every county in the state backed Donald Trump. With a PVI score of R+20, Oklahoma is a Republican stronghold with control over the governor’s office, state legislature, and most statewide offices. The state adheres to strong conservative policies on taxes and gun rights.

Alabama

Alabama is the fifth most affordable conservative state to live in, with a cost of living index of 88.8. The state has consistently voted Republican in the last eleven elections and 86% of Alabama residents identify as Christian, so it ranks as the 1st most religious state. As for the details, the living wage for a family of four is $97,260, the median home value is $216,600 and the median monthly rent is $1,445.

Arkansas 

At number six with a cost of living index of 89 we find Arkansas. As one of the most affordable conservative states to live in, Arkansas has a median home value of $195,700 and median monthly rent of $1,375. The living wage of a four member family is $96,886. The state has been voting Republican in every presidential election since 1996.

Missouri

With a cost of living index at 89, Missouri ties in with Arkansas as one of the most affordable conservative states to live in. Given a median home value of $233,600 and a median monthly rent of $1,300, a family of four can live comfortably with a $109,158 household wage.

While Missouri used to be a swing state, it has had strong republican dominance since the year 2000. Missouri supports conservative policies, including gun rights, lower taxes, and business-friendly regulations. But there is some ideological contrast between heavily conservative areas and more liberal urban areas like St. Louis and Kansas City (MO), which are also somewhat unsafe compared to the rest of the state.

Tennessee 

Tennessee has a cost of living index of 90, gaining its place as the eight most affordable conservative state to live in. In this state, the living wage for a household of four is $100,339, while the median home value is $307,300 and the median monthly rent is $1,750. Tennessee consistently votes for Republican presidential candidates since the year 2000, and has only supported the Democratic Party four times in the last 70 years. Today, the Republican Party controls the governorship, both chambers of the state legislature, and most statewide offices.

Iowa

Ninth on our list of most affordable conservative states to live in is Iowa, with a cost of living index of 90.4. Here, the living wage for a household of four is $101,337, the median home value is $213,300 and the median monthly rent is $1,100. Affordability isn’t all Iowa has to offer, as it was ranked sixth best state overall by left leaning media outlet US News & World Report.

While generally considered a right-leaning swing state, Iowa has become increasingly conservative in recent years. While there’s still a mix of conservative rural areas and more liberal urban centers (like Des Moines and Iowa City), rural voters have moved toward the Republican Party.

Indiana

Indiana closes off our most affordable conservative states to live in list, with a cost of living index of 91.3. The Republican Party holds a majority in both the Indiana House of Representatives and the Indiana Senate. The state has consistently voted Republican in presidential elections since 1968, except 2008, when Obama narrowly won the state. Some prominent Democrats hail from Indiana, but the state is conservative. In the end, NASCAR fans will acknowledge that the Indy 500 race can only take place in a conservative state.

Indiana has conservative policies on taxation, business regulations, and social issues. Here, a family of four can live comfortably with a living wage of  $110,115, while the median home value stands at $225,900 and the median monthly rent is $1,350. Indiana is so good to live in, yet so much of a sleeper, that a TikTok featuring the town of Carmel, IN went viral.