Muncie, IN, United States

Capital City

At just 69,000 residents, Muncie may be a small city, but it packs a hefty price tag - the median home value is a mere $92,000, over $100,000less than the state average. While the city has transitioned from its industrial roots to a service economy centered on healthcare and education, the bureaucracy remains a persistent headache, with the local school system recently placed under state control. And with a poverty rate pushing 30%, Muncie is clearly no paradise for the faint of heart. This affordable, blue-collar town is best suited for those seeking a low cost of living, not glitz and glamour.