America's 10 Cheapest States to Live in for 2026

Our take

This is a US-focused study with no direct bearing on South African property markets, but it carries useful context for SA readers — particularly those considering emigration or offshore property investment. For South Africans weighing a move to the United States, Midwest states like Ohio and Iowa offer entry-level home prices well under R7 million at current exchange rates, with rental costs that compare favourably even to mid-tier SA metros like Gqeberha or Bloemfontein. For local landlords and buy-to-let investors, the comparison is a useful reminder that affordability is relative: SA renters in Cape Town or Sandton face rent-to-income ratios that rival expensive US coastal cities, not the bargain Midwest. The insurance crisis highlighted in the article — premiums rising sharply due to climate-related weather events — is a trend SA property owners will recognise, with short-term insurance costs climbing steadily here too. Buyers and landlords should factor rising insurance premiums into their total cost-of-ownership calculations, whether purchasing in Johannesburg or Des Moines.