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10 Cities Where Budget-Minded Homebuyers Are Moving

July 26, 2024

3 min Read

Written by Gabrielle Olya

Edited by Ashleigh Ray

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As mortgage rates and home prices remain high, budget-conscious homebuyers are looking for more affordable places to live — and these tend to be up-and-coming markets.

GOBankingRates looked at all cities with a 2024 average home value below the national average of $361,779 that had good livability scores to find this list of ten where you can live a great life on a budget.

The index found that savvy homebuyers are seeking out affordable cities located in the South Midwest and East Coast. Here’s a look at the top 10 markets where the budget-minded are moving.

10. Lubbock, Texas

Average home value: $209,769

Lubbock’s average home value is $152,010 cheaper than the national average.

9. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Average home value: $209,570

Tulsa’s average home value is $152,209 cheaper than the national average.

8. Oklahoma City

Average home value: $207,630

Oklahoma City’s average home value is $154,149 cheaper than the national average.

7. Milwaukee

Average home value: $206,169

Milwaukee’s average home value is $155,610 cheaper than the national average.

6. Des Moines, Iowa

Average home value: $205,473

Des Moines’ average home value is $156,306 cheaper than the national average.

5. Syracuse, New York

Average home value: $187,525

Syracuse’s average home value is $174,254 cheaper than the national average.

4. Brownsville, Texas

Average home value: $186,251

Brownsville’s average home value is $175,528 cheaper than the national average.

3. Baltimore

Average home value: $186,193

Baltimore’s average home value is $175,586 cheaper than the national average.

2. Eerie, Pennsylvania

Average home value: $177,169

Erie’s average home value is $184,610 cheaper than the national average.

1. Akron, Ohio

Average home value: $131,482

Akron’s average home value is $230,297 cheaper than the national average.

Jordan Rosenfeld contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: For this piece GOBankingRates looked at all cities with a 2024 average home value below the national average of $361,779 using home values sourced from Zillow. With these cities isolated GOBankingRates found the 10 cities with the greatest difference in home price from the national average from both a monetary and percent value. To be considered a city had to be one the biggest 200 cities in America as well as having a livability score above 75 as sourced from AreaVibes. All data was collected and up to date as of July 16, 2024.

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