20 Best Hidden Gem Housing Markets in the South for 2025

What do major Southern cities Baltimore, Pensacola and Clarksburg have in common? Affordable cost of living aside, an in-house GOBankingRates study revealed these cities are among the top 20 hidden gem housing markets in the South.

GOBankingRates analyzed data from Zillow, AreaVibes and the Federal Reserve. Each city was weighted based on ranking in various categories, including livability index and median household income, to determine the scores that show the best hidden gem housing markets in the United States.

See which Southern housing markets are considered the nation’s best hidden gems.

• Median household income: $59,808
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,514
• Livability: 91
• Average home value in city: $264,559
• Average home value in state: $417,032

• Median household income: $221,793
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,167
• Livability: 73
• Average home value in city: $203,891
• Average home value in state: $417,032

• Median household income: $47,819
• Average monthly mortgage: $875
• Livability: 78
• Average home value in city: $152,788
• Average home value in state: $450,720

• Median household income: $72,699
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,491
• Livability: 83
• Average home value in city: $260,455
• Average home value in state: $402,892

• Median household income: $64,898
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,644
• Livability: 84
• Average home value in city: $287,167
• Average home value in state: $402,892

• Median household income: $59,623
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,072
• Livability: 77
• Average home value in city: $187,275
• Average home value in state: $450,720

• Median household income: $55,931
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,741
• Livability: 85
• Average home value in city: $304,235
• Average home value in state: $402,892

• Median household income: $66,981
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,716
• Livability: 84
• Average home value in city: $299,855
• Average home value in state: $402,892

• Median household income: $54,931
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,457
• Livability: 82
• Average home value in city: $254,478
• Average home value in state: $402,892

• Median household income: $42,778
• Average monthly mortgage: $920
• Livability: 77
• Average home value in city: $160,697
• Average home value in state: $417,032

• Median household income: $39,124
• Average monthly mortgage: $624
• Livability: 79
• Average home value in city: $108,977
• Average home value in state: $305,393

• Median household income: $75,451
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,729
• Livability: 82
• Average home value in city: $302,119
• Average home value in state: $417,032

• Median household income: $53,458
• Average monthly mortgage: $601
• Livability: 76
• Average home value in city: $104,984
• Average home value in state: $305,393

• Median household income: $45,611
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,852
• Livability: 84
• Average home value in city: $323,471
• Average home value in state: $402,892

• Median household income: $68,267
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,776
• Livability: 82
• Average home value in city: $310,336
• Average home value in state: $402,892

• Median household income: $58,884
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,553
• Livability: 83
• Average home value in city: $271,345
• Average home value in state: $338,335

• Median household income: $59,752
• Average monthly mortgage: $2,014
• Livability: 84
• Average home value in city: $351,838
• Average home value in state: $417,032

• Median household income: $72,676
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,623
• Livability: 80
• Average home value in city: $283,573
• Average home value in state: $402,892

• Median household income: $46,859
• Average monthly mortgage: $680
• Livability: 82
• Average home value in city: $118,729
• Average home value in state: $173,029

• Median household income: $64,017
• Average monthly mortgage: $1,774
• Livability: 81
• Average home value in city: $309,842
• Average home value in state: $417,032

View more original studies and surveys in the GOBankingRates original research center.

Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed.

Methodology: GOBankingRates used data from Zillow Home Value Index to find cities with an average home value $50,000 below the statewide average. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes and all cities with a livability below 70 were removed. Mortgage amounts were determined using Federal Reserve Economic Data. The median household income was scored and weighted at 1.00, the average mortgage cost was scored and weighted at 1.00, the difference from a statewide single family home value was scored and sourced from 2.00, and the livability index was scored and sourced at 2.00. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Sept. 2, 2025.