12 Best East Coast Cities for High Salaries and Low Cost of Living

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new MoneyLion study has identified the top 12 East Coast cities that offer high median household incomes combined with a relatively low cost of living. The ranking considered factors like home values, mortgage costs, and overall cost-of-living data to highlight places where residents can earn more and keep more of what they earn.

Why it matters

As remote work becomes more common and people have greater flexibility in where they live, this data provides helpful insights for those seeking an East Coast location with both earning power and affordability. The findings showcase cities that can provide a high quality of life without the steep price tag of some major metro areas.

The details

The top 12 East Coast cities in MoneyLion's ranking are: 1) Decatur, Georgia; 2) Murrysville, Pennsylvania; 3) North Augusta, South Carolina; 4) Morrisville, North Carolina; 5) Evans, Georgia; 6) Crofton, Maryland; 7) Apex, North Carolina; 8) Severna Park, Maryland; 9) Holly Springs, North Carolina; 10) Severn, Maryland; 11) Elkridge, Maryland; and 12) Clarksburg, Maryland. Each city was evaluated based on median household income, average home values, mortgage costs, and overall cost of living.

• The data reflects conditions as of December 19, 2025.