There is no doubt inside the great American illusion of prosperity that the majority of the population suffers from the same sickness — high cost of living.

It’s true, while the economy hangs somewhere between limbo and recovery, the cost of living has remained steadfast — teetering on a greasy slipknot somewhere between high and higher.

However, there are some cities in America where the cost of living is significantly less than anywhere else in the country. And compared to some other cities around the world, these are downright amazing bargains.

According to the 2012 Cost of Living Index from the Council for Community and Economic Research, some of the cheapest places to live in America include places ranging from Temple, Texas to Pueblo, Colorado.

The Cost of Living Index consists of data of more than 300 communities across the country where the prices of some 60 goods and services, from health care to the housing, are monitored every three months.

Each city’s index figure is based on a national average of 100. For instance, a city with an index of 70 would be 30 percent below the national average.

The data suggests that Harlingen, Texas is the cheapest places to live in America with an index score of 82.8, followed closely by Memphis, Tennessee with a score of 83.7.

Most of the cities, from the number five ranking Ardmore, Oklahoma to the the number 10 Pryor Creek, Oklahoma, all have an index score above 85, putting most of the cheapest cities in America somewhere around 15 percent below the national average.

It is worth mentioning that the cost of living in these places is lower because people there earn less money.

Top 10 Cheapest Cities in America

1. Harlingen, Texas

2.
Memphis, Tennessee

3.
McAllen, Texas

4.
Fayetteville, Arkansas

5.
Ardmore, Oklahoma

6.
Temple, Texas

7.
Ashland, Ohio

8.
Conway, Arkansas

9.
Pueblo, Colorado

10.
Pryor Creek, Oklahoma

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