Not every city in the U.S. is unaffordable. These cities all have a lower median price than the national average of $387,600, growing job markets, and a rich cultural history. Here are 18 of the best cities with affordable housing.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The City of Bridges is the second largest city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia, known for its strong job market and diverse neighborhoods with various housing options. According to Realtor.com, the median home price was $227,200, significantly lower than the national average.
Omaha, Nebraska
The Gate City of the West is the most populous city in Nebraska, home to four Fortune 500 companies, and famous for its start-up culture. The city has a stable housing market with a relatively low cost of living and a median home sale price of $271,000.
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is famous for being the home of boxer Muhammad Ali, KFC, the University of Louisville, and the Kentucky Derby. Derby City also has affordable median home prices and a low cost of living, with the median home selling for $235,000.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is known for the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, its music hall, and Cincinnati Union Hall. This Ohio city is also known for its affordable housing, with a median home sale price of $225,000 per Redfin data. Americans are moving to the city for its growing job market, especially in the healthcare, education, and finance sectors.
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, the second largest city in New York State, is known as the City of Trees for its ample parkland. It also has an affordable housing market with a variety of architectural styles. RentCafe notes that housing to buy and rent is 48% lower than the state average and 6% lower than the national average.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is famous for its historic Route 66 sign, Boston Avenue Church, and the Philbrook Museum. The city is targeting remote workers through its Tusla Remote program, which pays Americans $10,000 to move to the city.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is the second largest city in Tennessee and is celebrated for its role in the Civil Rights Movement. Grind City is now a major logistics hub, home to a vibrant music scene and diverse neighborhoods. According to data on Zillow, the city has a remarkably low home sale price of $144,900.
Kansas City, Missouri
Known as “Paris of the Plains,” Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri and is home to Kauffman Stadium, the Nelson Museum of Art, and Kansas City-style barbecue. The city also has a strong job market for Americans moving in and a median home price of $308,000.
El Paso, Texas
One of the most affordable large cities in the U.S. for housing, El Paso boasts a strong job market, particularly in defense and healthcare. Americans moving to Sun City will enjoy its excellent Mexican cuisine and outdoor activities, as well as its low median home price of $240,300.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit was long known as a city in decline, but Motor City is undergoing huge revitalization efforts and has an affordable housing market. Due to its rich cultural history, the city is attracting more tourists each year, and Americans moving there will enjoy its incredibly low median home price of $77,000.
Cleveland, Ohio
The Forest City is home to several significant cultural institutions, including the Cleveland Public Library and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The city is revitalizing its downtown area with investments in the tech and healthcare sectors and has a low median home price of $94,167.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin, known for being a center of German American culture, the Summerfest, and its brewing industry. Cream City has easy access to outdoor activities thanks to its proximity to the second largest Great Lake, Lake Michigan, and an average home price of just $165,000.
St. Louis, Missouri
Internationally known for its Gateway Arch, St. Louis is home to seven Fortune 500 companies, several major research universities, and a strong job market. According to data from Redfin, the median sale price of a home in the city is $190,000.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Known as the racing capital of the world, Indianapolis hosts the annual Indianapolis 500. The city has a vibrant downtown area with various cultural sites and an affordable housing market. The median sale price of a home in Indy is $208,317.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Overlooked by the Sandia–Manzano mountain range, Duke City has a strong job market focusing on aerospace, manufacturing, and film production. The city’s rich cultural heritage includes events like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The median home sale price in the city is $323,333.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, the capital city of Louisiana, sits on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River. Baton Rouge is a technology center of the South and has strong economic growth in the petrochemical, medical, and research sectors. In addition to its excellent Cajun cuisine, Baton Rouge has a low average house price of $201,350.
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is an affordable city with a strong job market in the finance, insurance, and healthcare industries. The city also offers residents and visitors a vibrant arts scene, boasting a wide variety of festivals and events throughout the year, and has a low average house price of $190,500.
Spokane, Washington
Lilac City has a more affordable housing market than other Pacific Northwest cities. The city has great access to outdoor activities, with numerous parks, rivers, and the nearby Selkirk Mountains for hiking and skiing. Its average home price is $370,000, just under the national average.
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