How affordable is your rent? In America, the cost of living varies greatly depending on the city you live in. In the country’s major cities, monthly rent just keeps going up, and renters in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City are being priced right out of the market. According to this article in the New York Times, rent is rising out of reach of middle-class earners in many cities across the country.

Most experts agree that we shouldn’t spend more than 30 percent of our take home pay on rent, or less than 40 percent when including all utilities. To enjoy a better quality of life, you might be considering moving to a more affordable city. A lower cost of living area can mean more cash left over each month for both spending and investing. Where can your money go the farthest?

Here’s our list of five underrated affordable cities you should move to.

Little Rock, Arkansas

Arkansas’ fair market rent rate is one of the lowest in the country. Take advantage of the state’s low cost of living by moving to Little Rock. This capital city is the largest in the state, with a population of about 200,000 residents.

Little Rock is big enough to offer great jobs, entertainment and amenities. It is home to the Arkansas state government, two major universities and numerous large American companies. For those interested in working in the non-profit sector, many of the country’s largest organizations can be found in Little Rock.

According to The United States Bureau of Labor’s latest numbers, Little Rock’s unemployment rate was at 4.8, which is significantly lower than the national average of 5.8.

Buffalo, New York

Unlike New York City with its sky-high rents, Buffalo is quite affordable yet still offers a great quality of life. According to Rentrange, a two-bedroom apartment in Buffalo costs an average of $800 per month. Apartments are usually larger than the shoeboxes of New York City, and there’s more green space.

Due to declines in the manufacturing sector, median income in Buffalo has been low compared to other major US cities. However, the economy has improved significantly in the past few years. Sectors such as finance, health and education are growing, bringing thousands of new jobs to the city.

Buffalo is home to many professional sports teams, including the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres. The music business is booming here. You’ll need to brace yourself for the winter weather, however, as Buffalo gets lots of snow and cold temperatures.

The Memphis skyline.

Memphis, Tennessee

Another great city to consider is Memphis, Tennessee; it is amongst the most affordable cities to live, according to Forbes. Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is about $700.

As for jobs, Memphis is in a prime location for shipping and transportation jobs. Big companies such as FedEx and AutoZone are established here. Jobs in the entertainment and film industry are also an important part of the economy.

Memphis is known for its music, history and culture. Home to Graceland and numerous museums, there’s lots to see and do in Memphis, making it a great place to live.

Dayton, Ohio

With an average monthly rent of $650 for a two-bedroom apartment, Dayton, Ohio is one of the most affordable cities to live in. The city proper has a population of about 143,000, making it much smaller than the top American big cities. However, its metropolitan area is quite large, with a population of about 840,000.

Dayton’s job sectors are quite wide-ranging. Research and development (R&D) is a big part of the economy, as are exports, aerospace and healthcare. Attractions include the Dayton Art Institute, The National Museum of the United States Air Force and The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. Dayton is also home to one of the country’s major airshows, the Vectren Dayton Airshow.

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Louisville, Kentucky

Kentucky is one of the lowest cost states for tenants, and Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city.

If looking for work, health services and medical research are growing sectors. Louisville’s central location makes it popular with shipping companies. Many corporations have their headquarters in the city, contributing to a low unemployment rate.

Louisville is an area rich with culture. It is home to many festivals and events, including the Kentucky Derby, a Beatles festival and Shakespeare in Central Park. Music, performing arts and tourism are all booming.

Louisville at night.

How affordable is your city? Would you ever consider moving to a new city or state to lower your living costs?