Least expensive cities in 2012

The Council for Community and Economic Research recently gathered data from 309 urban areas for its Cost of Living Index, which shows the least expensive cities to live in in 2012, according to CNBC.

The council considers prices of 60 consumer goods and services that represent the goods and services of the areas. Other categories considered are housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services.

Ranked No. 1 on the list of the most affordable cities to live in is Harlingen, Texas, which is a Certified Retirement Community. Harlingen is in the southernmost part of Texas and is the southernmost urban area in the country's cost of living rankings, with the standard being 81.7 percent of the national average.

Memphis, Tennessee, was ranked No. 2 on the list for having the cheapest average price for homes at $190,181. Ardmore, Oklahoma, came in third place for the cheapest averages for sodas, apartment rental and phones. Also on the list were McAllen and Waco in Texas.

Those looking to stretch their dollars might consider relocating to one of the cities on the CCER list, and those who decide to make a change can keep their relocation costs down by researching self move options, such as moving pods.