With home prices climbing across so much of the country, it might feel like owning a house for under $200,000 is a thing of the past. In a handful of states, especially in the Midwest and parts of the South, you can still find real homes at prices that would make buyers in bigger cities do a double take.
Many of these states offer small towns, mid-sized cities, and even some suburbs where a regular family income can still cover a mortgage. If you’re willing to look beyond the coasts, here are 15 states where affordable homeownership is still within reach.
1. West Virginia
West Virginia consistently ranks as one of the most affordable states in the country for homebuyers. Its small towns and rural communities offer plenty of homes well under $200,000, especially outside the more popular areas near Charleston and Morgantown.
2. Mississippi
Mississippi’s low cost of living extends straight into its housing market. Buyers can find spacious homes on decent lots for well under the $200,000 mark in cities like Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Meridian.
3. Arkansas
Arkansas offers a mix of small-town charm and low prices, with plenty of homes available under $200,000 in cities like Fort Smith, Pine Bluff, and Jonesboro.
4. Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s housing market remains friendly to budget-conscious buyers, with cities like Tulsa and Oklahoma City offering solid neighborhoods where homes still sell for under $200,000.
5. Kentucky
Kentucky combines rolling countryside with genuinely affordable houses. Cities like Bowling Green, Owensboro, and parts of Louisville still have listings that fall comfortably under the $200,000 mark.
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6. Alabama
Alabama’s smaller cities, including Montgomery, Huntsville, and Mobile, still offer plenty of homes under $200,000, giving buyers a shot at owning property without a massive mortgage.
7. Ohio
Ohio’s Rust Belt cities have seen a lot of change, but that’s kept home prices reasonable. Cities like Toledo, Youngstown, and Dayton have a good supply of homes priced well below $200,000.
8. Indiana
Indiana remains one of the more affordable Midwestern states, with cities like Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Terre Haute offering solid, livable homes for under $200,000.
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9. Michigan
Outside of the pricier suburbs near Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan has plenty of affordable options. Cities like Flint, Saginaw, and Jackson offer real homes at prices many buyers elsewhere would find hard to believe.
10. Missouri
Missouri offers a great mix of city living and small-town affordability. Places like Springfield, St. Joseph, and parts of Kansas City still have listings under $200,000.
11. Tennessee
While cities like Nashville have gotten expensive, other parts of Tennessee remain affordable. Places like Clarksville, Jackson, and Chattanooga still offer homes under $200,000.
12. Louisiana
Louisiana’s smaller cities and towns keep housing costs low. Shreveport, Monroe, and Alexandria all have a healthy supply of homes priced under $200,000.
13. Iowa
Iowa’s steady economy and low cost of living make it one of the more underrated affordable states. Cities like Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, and Sioux City regularly have homes for sale under $200,000.
14. Kansas
Kansas offers wide open spaces and equally wide affordability. Cities like Wichita, Topeka, and Salina all have solid housing markets where $200,000 still buys a comfortable home.
15. South Dakota
South Dakota rounds out the list with cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City still offering homes under $200,000, along with a low overall cost of living that stretches a homeowner’s budget even further.
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