You might cast a "look around" towards:

central/western Missouri (Rolla);

Arkansas (Little Rock area, Ft Smith, Rogers),

Northern and central Louisiana (Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria//We've got the best politicians and police that money can buy);

Mississippi (Jackson, Meridian, Natchez)

Tennessee (Memphis; Nashville)

Texas (Houston, Beaumont, Dallas-Ft. Worth)

I mention certain cities to highlight certain areas that I know are very nice. Keep in mind that wages are lower in the south because the cost of living is also lower
(Greatly drastically lower cost of living than California)