Are you looking to move to a city that is known for being thrifty? Don’t worry; you’re in good company. A surprising number of the best places to live in the U.S. are considered thrifty. Whether it’s because of the number of consignment shops in the communities, or how frugal the residents tend to be, make sure you check out the top thrifty cities in the country.
San Jose, California
One of the most credit-conscious and frugal cities in the country is San Jose, California. Residents there have had a difficult time in the last few years. At the height of the recession, the city had an unemployment rate of over 12.5 percent. In recent years, this has dropped, and it is currently 4.3 percent. However, the residents here have stayed on top of their debt. Even when things were the worst across the country and in San Jose itself, those who live here only had about an 11.5 percent debt-to-income ratio when considering only credit cards. This is significantly lower than the rest of the country, which averages 22.6 percent.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
In the Midwest, you find much lower cost of living than on either coast. The average cost of living in Minneapolis is about 21.64 percent lower than somewhere like New York City. Of course, cost of living doesn’t necessarily make a city more frugal. However, in Minneapolis, residents are also conscious of what they spend and how they spend it. There are websites dedicated to frugal things to do when you’re in the city, including a number of great outdoor activities. Those who live in Minneapolis are also well-known for being coupon crazy when it comes to shopping.
San Francisco, California
It’s kind of surprising that several cities in California have made the list of the most frugal cities in the country. Most people think of high cost and expense when they think of San Francisco. However, because of the high cost of living, residents of San Francisco have had to learn to live frugally. You’ll find a huge number of consignment shops and thrift stores. On top of that, Coupon.com has named San Francisco America’s Most Frugal City for 2015. This is due to the $56.3 million saved in coupons yearly in the city. Even though the San Francisco has one of the highest household income rates in America, it’s also one of the best places to go to save a little.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has a huge number of resale shops for the frugally minded. In fact, it has over 150 consignment stores within the city borders. And if you go to some of the suburbs, such as Barrington, you’ll find the highest number of resale stores per capita in the country. If you’re looking for somewhere to get a great deal, Chicago and the surrounding area will give you a great option.
Living frugally is important to being able to save money. When you’re looking for a new location with frugality in mind, check out any of the cities listed to save a few bucks.
