Reasonably-priced housing is hard to come by these days. If you’re not finding anything that meets your needs in your current area, it might be time to consider a move.
Of course, you’ll need to conduct research, as housing is expensive in much of the U.S. As of Oct. 31, 2024, the average home value in the U.S. is $359,099, according to the Zillow Home Value Report.
GOBankingRates spoke with Alexei Morgado, realtor and founder of Lexawise, to get his take on where to find affordable housing. Here are three cities he suggested looking into for both budget-friendly housing and a good quality of life.
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Toledo, Ohio
“A bit more understated as a city, Toledo is far more affordable, especially talking prices, with a very approachable atmosphere,” he said. “Here, the average house costs about $190,000 — a find that’s actually hard to stumble upon in more urban areas.”
That’s not all that makes this city a great pick for potential buyers.
“Besides the price, taxes and insurance stay relatively cheap and therefore do not add too much to the cost,” he said. “Having a rich industrial history, Toledo also offers a buzzing cultural scene for any family or young professional looking to really stretch a buck.”
Also encouraging, 41.7% of Toledo homes sold under list price in the past year, according to Zillow. While you might be able to score a deal, you do need to move fast, as the homes go to pending in a median of just eight days.
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Wichita, Kansas
“Wichita has that ideal mix of affordability and quality of life,” he said. “In my opinion, this is an excellent market for those who would want a big house, without having to pay a lot of money for it.”
Given this, it’s easy to understand why Niche.com rated Wichita an “A-” and named in the 23rd best city to buy a house in America.
“With homes near $218,000 and reasonable rent, many of the first purchases make their starting point in this area,” he said. “Plus, the community is nice and there will always be some cultural activities and economic opportunities here.”
Homes do go fast in Wichita, with properties marked pending in a median of 11 days, according to Zillow. However, 41.9% of sales are under list price.
Huntsville, Alabama
If you’re looking for a more innovative city, he said Huntsville is your place.
“It has been nicknamed “Rocket City” because of its affiliation with NASA and all things tech,” he said. “The cost of living is super low compared to your average salary, with housing at just over 19% of the local income.”
The average home value in Huntsville is $275,746, according to Zillow. Also promising, 52.2% of sales are under list price and it takes a median of 22 days for homes to achieve pending status.
“It would indeed be ideal for young families and professionals who wish to have a future without going broke,” he said.
Also worth nothing, Niche.com rated Huntsville the fourth-best city to buy a house in America, giving it an overall grade of an “A.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Real Estate Agent: 3 Places You Can Buy Really Affordable Housing in 2025
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
