According to the Future Workforce Report, by 2025, 36.2 million Americans are expected to work remotely, almost double the pre-pandemic amount.
Traditionally, people were forced to live within a reasonable commute of their place of employment, but without that limitation, Americans are free to relocate based on other factors.
The cost of living index measures how expensive it is to live in one state relative to another.
Mississippi is overall the most affordable state to live in the U.S., with a cost of living index of just 83.3, 17% cheaper than the average state.
With a population of just under 3 million, Kansas offers affordable living, coming in 13.5% cheaper than the national average.
Sitting just to the east of Mississippi, Alabama comes in third in the overall cost of living, 12% under the national average.
Oklahoma comes in as the 4th cheapest state to live in, just behind Alabama. With affordable housing and a diverse economic landscape, The Sooner State offers many opportunities.