These cities have the highest pay, lowest cost of living for 2026: study

(NEXSTAR) – With the majority of Americans unhappy with how much everyday goods cost in 2026, according to a recent poll, a Niche.com study identified the affordability capitals of the U.S. – cities with the highest pay and lowest cost of living.

“Our list of best cities for low cost of living and high income ranks larger cities with at least 250,000 residents using affordability and median household income with equal weight (50/50), so you see places that are both affordable and high-earning,” according to the education research platform.

The top city in the U.S. was Laredo, Texas, according to the Niche research team, which relied on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for its ranking.

Laredo, which is located along the southern border with Mexico, is home to roughly 257,600 people, is dotted with parks and has a reputation for good public schools, according to Niche, which adds that the........

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