Ashland, Ohio

Ashland, Ohio, has an unusual -- and welcoming -- nickname: "The world headquarters of nice people," according to a sign just outside the small city. About an hour from Ohio's largest cities, Cleveland and Columbus, the cost of living in Ashland is 14 percent lower than the national average. An average home costs about $217,000, while a two-bedroom/two-bath apartment costs a mere $523.

Credit: Ashland Chamber of Commerce