Just came across this research about the cheapest cities to live on the East Coast and honestly, some of these options are wild. Apparently GOBankingRates analyzed over 1,000 East Coast cities to find places where you can actually afford rent and a mortgage without your entire paycheck disappearing.

So here's the thing - Pennsylvania is dominating the affordable list. Sharon, Pennsylvania tops it with an annual cost of living around $25,797 and median household income of $44,595. Monthly mortgage is only $342. Like, that's genuinely shocking compared to what people pay in major metros. Johnstown and New Castle in PA are also crushing it, both with livability scores in the high 70s and mortgages under $800.

Georgia and Pennsylvania are basically tied for having the most cities in the top 50 most affordable spots. If you're looking for the cheapest city to live with decent livability, Meadville, Pennsylvania keeps popping up with an 85 livability score - tied with some West Virginia options like Clarksburg and Huntington. The data shows these aren't just cheap, they're actually places people want to be in.

What's interesting is that even the biggest cities on this list - Columbus, Georgia and Erie, Pennsylvania - still manage to stay relatively budget-friendly. Columbus has a $33,352 annual cost of living and Erie is $34,185, which is still way lower than what you'd pay on the West Coast or in major Northeast hubs.

The whole research makes sense given how many people were frustrated with inflation and cost of living during recent elections. If you're actually trying to find an affordable place on the East Coast that doesn't feel like a total sacrifice, these cheapest city options are worth looking into. The data suggests you can find solid livability scores and reasonable housing costs if you're willing to explore beyond the major metros.