You Will Need $6K or More a Month To Live Comfortably in These 20 Midwest Boomtowns
Though the Midwest still offers a relatively low cost of living across much of the region, there are at least 20 Midwestern boomtowns where living comfortably requires $6,000 or more per month.
To identify these cities, MoneyLion analyzed key factors such as per capita income, median household income and total population over an eight-year period from 2016 to 2024. From there, the analysis calculated each boomtown’s total and percentage population growth, along with changes in per capita income.
Explore Next: 50 Cheapest, Safest Places To Live in the US
Trending Now: 9 Subtly Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money — That You Should Do, Too
The 50/30/20 budgeting rule was applied to ensure that essential expenses did not exceed 50% of household income. The “comfortable” cost of living was then determined by doubling the cost of necessities.
Keep reading to see which 20 Midwestern boomtowns require $6,000+ every month for a comfortable lifestyle.
1. Waukee, Iowa
Population change (%) since 2016: 72.4%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 32.2%
Average monthly cost of living: $7,606
Livability: 84
2. Westfield, Indiana
Population change (%) since 2016: 59.5%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 66.2%
Average monthly cost of living: $9,172
Livability: 70
3. Wentzville, Missouri
Population change (%) since 2016: 37.7%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 55.9%
Average monthly cost of living: $8,366
Livability: 79
4. Ankeny, Iowa
Population change (%) since 2016: 36%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 44.4%
Average monthly cost of living: $7,636
Livability: 92
5. Papillion, Nebraska
Population change (%) since 2016: 29.3%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 54.3%
Average monthly cost of living: $8,626
Livability: 85
6. West Fargo, North Dakota
Population change (%) since 2016: 27.1%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 45.8%
Average monthly cost of living: $7,637
Livability: 77
7. Hamtramck, Michigan
Population change (%) since 2016: 26.2%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 38.8%
Average monthly cost of living: $6,332
Livability: 79
8. Noblesville, Indiana
Population change (%) since 2016: 24.9%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 51.6%
Average monthly cost of living: $8,279
Livability: 84
9. Lakeville, Minnesota
Population change (%) since 2016: 24.4%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 43.9%
Average monthly cost of living: $9,407
Livability: 84
10. Bellevue, Nebraska
Population change (%) since 2016: 21.7%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 50.1%
Average monthly cost of living: $7,386
Livability: 87
11. Greenwood, Indiana
Population change (%) since 2016: 21%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 46.1%
Average monthly cost of living: $7,536
Livability: 73
12. Marysville, Ohio
Population change (%) since 2016: 20.4%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 68.1%
Average monthly cost of living: $7,943
Livability: 78
13. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Population change (%) since 2016: 20%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 50.6%
Average monthly cost of living: $7,452
Livability: 85
14. Fitchburg, Wisconsin
Population change (%) since 2016: 19.7%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 66%
Average monthly cost of living: $9,510
Livability: 66
15. Crown Point, Indiana
Population change (%) since 2016: 19.7%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 31.2%
Average monthly cost of living: $7,837
Livability: 74
16. Rosemount, Minnesota
Population change (%) since 2016: 19.3%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 60.9%
Average monthly cost of living: $8,795
Livability: 89
17. Fishers, Indiana
Population change (%) since 2016: 19.2%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 31.1%
Average monthly cost of living: $8,896
Livability: 82
18. Delaware, Ohio
Population change (%) since 2016: 18.7%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 58.2%
Average monthly cost of living: $8,522
Livability: 80
19. Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Population change (%) since 2016: 18.4%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 56.8%
Average monthly cost of living: $8,795
Livability: 87
20. Blaine, Minnesota
Population change (%) since 2016: 18.4%
Average income change (%) since 2016: 31.3%
Average monthly cost of living: $8,201
Livability: 70
Summer spending adds up fast. Enter MoneyLion's Summer Break Giveaway for a chance to win $500 — and give your budget a break. (No pur. nec. Ends 7/4/26. See Official Rules at mlion.info/summerbreakofficialrules)
Methodology: For this study, MoneyLion analyzed cities in the Midwest to find the boomtowns you can live in for under $6,000. Midwest cities were defined as those in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. For each city, several factors were sourced from the U.S. Census 2024 and 2016 ACS, including the total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, per capita income and median household income. The eight-year total change and percent change in total population, as well as per capita income, were calculated. For each city, the cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling's BestPlaces and using the national average expenditure costs from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure costs were calculated for each city. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index. Assuming a 10% down payment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.23%, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data on 4/30/26, the average mortgage can be calculated for each city. Using the average mortgage and average expenditure costs, the total cost of living for necessities can be calculated. Using the 50/30/20 rule, needs should not exceed 50% of household income. The cost of living for necessities was doubled to find the comfortable cost of living. All cities with a comfortable cost of living over $6,000 were removed from this study. The cities were sorted to show the greatest 8-year percentage increase in total population. All data is up to date as of April 30th, 2026.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
More From MoneyLion: