The Cheapest Place To Buy a Home in Every Western State

The West is home to a unique and diverse stunning landscape that has it all. From bustling cities to mountains, deserts, beaches, forests and national parks, the West has a natural beauty that’s unrivaled. While the region has a lot to offer, it’s not cheap. Houses in the West are expensive due to high demand and other factors such as building costs, geographical limitations and taxes.

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With that in mind, if you’re dreaming of owning a house out West without the soaring price tag, there are options — if you know where to look. Using data from Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and the U.S. Census Bureau regarding population, GOBankingRates has compiled a list of the cheapest place to purchase a home in every Western state. 

• Cheapest place: Ninilchik
• 2025 ZHVI: $192,689
• Total population: 1,009

Known for its clamming, salmon runs and striking views, Ninilchik is the cheapest place to buy a home in Alaska, but it’s still pricey. According to BestPlaces, it’s 1.6% higher than the national average to live, but 12.8% lower than the state average.

• Cheapest place: Bowie
• 2025 ZHVI: $77,867
• Total population: 399

As the gateway to the Fort Bowie National Historic Site — an area where the Chiricahua Apache once fought to protect their land — Bowie is a nature lover’s dream. The cost of living is 15.2% lower than the national average, per BestPlaces. 

• Cheapest place: Johannesburg
• 2025 ZHVI: $88,217
• Total population: 77

Located in Kern County, Johannesburg is only 0.2% cheaper than the national average to live, but is 33.4% less than the state average, according to BestPlaces. The real savings comes from housing. Purchasing a home is about 74% less than the national average.

• Cheapest place: Las Animas
• 2025 ZHVI: $119,513
• Total population: 2,480

Las Animas was once an important trading and trapping center and plays a significant historical role in U.S. history. It is affordable for the West — 30.4% lower than the national average.

• Cheapest place: Ocean View
• 2025 ZHVI: $276,162
• Total population: 3,809

Living in paradise is the big dream for many, but Hawaii is known for its high prices. The cheapest place to live in the state is Ocean View, where the cost of living is 31.9% more than the national average but 20.4% less than Hawaii’s average, per BestPlaces.

• Cheapest place: Pierce
• 2025 ZHVI: $174,829
• Total population: 465

Primarily known for the first site gold was discovered in Idaho back in 1860, Pierce is 14.4% cheaper to live than the national average. 

• Cheapest place: Medicine Lake
• 2025 ZHVI: $110,272
• Total population: 190

Medicine Lake boasts beautiful views and is home to the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge. It’s also the cheapest place to score an inexpensive home in Montana. The cost of living is 20.8% less than the national average, per BestPlaces.

• Cheapest place: Austin
• 2025 ZHVI: $94,831
• Total population: 47

Austin is a well-preserved old mining town and has a unique history with a cheap cost of living. It’s 8.7% lower than the national average to live.

• Cheapest place: Tucumcari
• 2025 ZHVI: $87,563
• Total population: 5,197

With its Route 66 attractions, outdoor adventures, remarkable landscapes and famous dinosaur museum, Tucumcari is a one-of-a-kind town and affordable. According to BestPlaces, the cost of living is 33.4% lower than the national average. 

• Cheapest place: Bly
• 2025 ZHVI: $177,354
• Total population: 123

Bly is a magical dark sky community that’s ideal for stargazing — and it’s also surrounded by the Fremont National Forest, where you can hike, bike, camp and enjoy the rugged natural beauty. The cost of living is 13.8% lower than the national average and 24.6% cheaper than Oregon’s average.

• Cheapest place: Brian Head
• 2025 ZHVI: $207,883
• Total population: 49

Brain Head offers year-round outdoor activities and is the place to go for skiing. It’s also reasonably priced compared to other Western cities. The cost of living is 8.6% lower than the national average. 

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

Methodology: To find the cheapest place to buy a home in every state, GOBankingRates analyzed every state to find the cities with the cheapest median home values, as sourced from Zillow Home Value Index. For each city, the total population was sourced from the U.S. Census American Consumer Survey as supplemental data. All data was collected and is up to date as of May 27, 2025.