House prices are always a hot topic — a house is the biggest purchase most people will ever make, the most important asset they will ever own, and of course the place where they will live and perhaps raise a family. Houses have traditionally been seen as a good investment. They are expected to appreciate in value and, as they say, the population is getting bigger but the country isn’t. House prices have often risen faster than inflation and even faster than wages, which may be good for owners but bad for first-time buyers.
24/7 Wall St. has compiled a list of the 50 most affordable housing markets in the Northeast. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development defines an “affordable dwelling” as one that costs a household 30% or less of its income. Of course, incomes and house prices vary from state to state and from locale to locale — they’re generally higher in big cities and lower in rural areas. (These are the cities where the middle class can no longer afford housing.)
Our list is dominated by housing markets in Pennsylvania, which claims the top 12. To paraphrase a famous quote, Pennsylvania is Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with a lot of affordable housing in between.
The No. 1 most affordable market is Shamokin, Pennsylvania. It was once a prosperous place thanks to abundant coal resources, which attracted various industries and railroads but has become economically depressed as coal has fallen from favor. In second and third place, Johnstown and Duquesne, also in Pennsylvania, were once booming steel towns. Duquesne once had the world’s largest blast furnace, but both towns were hit hard by deindustrialization and the decline of the steel industry. (These are the poorest places in the Northeast.)
Click here to see the most affordable places to buy a house in the Northeast
To identify the most affordable housing markets in the Northeast, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey five-year estimates, ranking only the 1,116 census-designated places, cities, and towns with at least 5,000 residents in the Northeast. (All data came from the ACS except percent of population change, which we calculated using ACS data.)
50. Ilion, New York
> Median home value: $81,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 65.4% — 54th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $54,397 — 820th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.1% — 951st highest in the Northeast
> Population: 7,812 — 757th highest in the Northeast
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49. Southport, New York
> Median home value: $81,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 74.9% — 29th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $49,645 — 889th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -0.4% — 583rd highest in the Northeast
> Population: 6,972 — 837th highest in the Northeast
48. Sunbury, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $81,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.9% — 39th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $34,644 — 1,077th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -2.8% — 912th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 9,480 — 610th highest in the Northeast
47. Warren, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $81,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 67.0% — 51st highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $42,939 — 982nd highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.0% — 932nd highest in the Northeast
> Population: 9,191 — 621st highest in the Northeast
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46. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $80,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 60.0% — 66th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $39,685 — 1,034th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -<0.01% — 497th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 49,209 — 94th highest in the Northeast
45. Fulton, New York
> Median home value: $80,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 71.9% — 36th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $45,639 — 943rd highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.5% — 982nd highest in the Northeast
> Population: 11,300 — 517th highest in the Northeast
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44. Nanticoke, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $80,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.5% — 43rd highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $42,735 — 984th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -0.5% — 599th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 10,304 — 562nd highest in the Northeast
43. Olean, New York
> Median home value: $80,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.0% — 46th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $41,742 — 1,005th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.0% — 935th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 13,670 — 425th highest in the Northeast
42. Darby, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $78,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 71.5% — 37th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $49,292 — 892nd highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: +<0.01% — 482nd highest in the Northeast
> Population: 10,695 — 548th highest in the Northeast
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41. Herkimer, New York
> Median home value: $78,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 64.9% — 57th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $44,870 — 958th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -14.4% — 1,114th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 6,615 — 884th highest in the Northeast
40. Niagara Falls, New York
> Median home value: $77,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.9% — 31st highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $36,346 — 1,066th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -2.4% — 866th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 48,252 — 95th highest in the Northeast
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39. Sugarcreek, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $76,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.4% — 34th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $42,315 — 993rd highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.6% — 985th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 5,014 — 1,114th highest in the Northeast
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38. Massena, New York
> Median home value: $76,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.4% — 25th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $44,626 — 959th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -9.0% — 1,093rd highest in the Northeast
> Population: 10,091 — 577th highest in the Northeast
37. Medina, New York
> Median home value: $76,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 76.7% — 24th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $43,779 — 975th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -1.5% — 759th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 5,847 — 982nd highest in the Northeast
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36. Monessen, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $76,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.8% — 40th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $43,823 — 970th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.2% — 954th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 7,344 — 797th highest in the Northeast
35. Gloversville, New York
> Median home value: $76,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 70.0% — 38th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $38,896 — 1,044th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -2.7% — 897th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 14,878 — 388th highest in the Northeast
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34. York, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $75,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.7% — 32nd highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $33,906 — 1,085th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: +0.4% — 417th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 44,022 — 106th highest in the Northeast
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33. Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $75,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.3% — 44th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $31,985 — 1,096th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.1% — 948th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 9,004 — 635th highest in the Northeast
32. Albion, New York
> Median home value: $75,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 67.6% — 50th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $39,590 — 1,035th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -2.7% — 895th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 5,479 — 1,047th highest in the Northeast
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31. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $75,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.6% — 42nd highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $37,902 — 1,050th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -0.6% — 615th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 40,867 — 123rd highest in the Northeast
30. Lewistown, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $74,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.1% — 27th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $35,573 — 1,069th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -1.6% — 776th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 8,194 — 716th highest in the Northeast
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29. Elmira, New York
> Median home value: $74,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 85.0% — 11th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $36,909 — 1,063rd highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -4.9% — 1,043rd highest in the Northeast
> Population: 27,402 — 201st highest in the Northeast
28. Greenville, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $73,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 77.5% — 21st highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $45,159 — 954th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -7.3% — 1,081st highest in the Northeast
> Population: 5,459 — 1,048th highest in the Northeast
27. Crestwood Village, New Jersey
> Median home value: $73,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 68.8% — 47th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $29,671 — 1,103rd highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: +2.5% — 195th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 8,155 — 720th highest in the Northeast
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26. Reading, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $73,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.3% — 35th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $32,176 — 1,095th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: +0.2% — 452nd highest in the Northeast
> Population: 88,232 — 36th highest in the Northeast
25. New Brighton, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $73,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 78.9% — 19th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $37,460 — 1,058th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.0% — 928th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 5,780 — 1,001st highest in the Northeast
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24. Chester, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $72,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.9% — 33rd highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $32,403 — 1,091st highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -0.1% — 511th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 33,982 — 145th highest in the Northeast
23. Titusville, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $72,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 80.6% — 16th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $35,495 — 1,070th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.2% — 958th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 5,264 — 1,075th highest in the Northeast
22. Plymouth, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $72,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 76.9% — 23rd highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $42,754 — 983rd highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -1.3% — 736th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 5,820 — 993rd highest in the Northeast
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21. Ambridge, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $71,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 85.2% — 9th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $41,377 — 1,009th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.2% — 962nd highest in the Northeast
> Population: 6,707 — 873rd highest in the Northeast
20. Pottsville, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $71,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 66.1% — 52nd highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $42,083 — 999th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -2.7% — 893rd highest in the Northeast
> Population: 13,648 — 427th highest in the Northeast
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19. Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $70,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.1% — 28th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $32,899 — 1,089th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.5% — 979th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 8,464 — 687th highest in the Northeast
18. Ogdensburg, New York
> Median home value: $67,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 74.7% — 30th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $41,965 — 1,002nd highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.3% — 967th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 10,635 — 550th highest in the Northeast
17. Hornell, New York
> Median home value: $67,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 78.2% — 20th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $42,562 — 988th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -2.2% — 851st highest in the Northeast
> Population: 8,281 — 708th highest in the Northeast
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16. Dunkirk, New York
> Median home value: $67,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 82.9% — 14th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $35,146 — 1,074th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.6% — 987th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 11,865 — 494th highest in the Northeast
15. Sharon, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $65,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 81.4% — 15th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $32,470 — 1,090th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.8% — 1,000th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 13,227 — 442nd highest in the Northeast
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14. Salamanca, New York
> Median home value: $64,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 86.3% — 5th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $31,934 — 1,097th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.3% — 969th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 5,497 — 1,043rd highest in the Northeast
13. Jamestown, New York
> Median home value: $63,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 85.4% — 7th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $33,420 — 1,086th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.4% — 975th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 29,504 — 176th highest in the Northeast
12. Tamaqua, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $62,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 79.2% — 18th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $38,921 — 1,043rd highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.1% — 944th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 6,731 — 868th highest in the Northeast
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11. New Castle, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $61,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 84.0% — 12th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $34,133 — 1,083rd highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.0% — 937th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 21,991 — 253rd highest in the Northeast
10. Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $57,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 86.2% — 6th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $33,292 — 1,087th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -2.4% — 865th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 5,197 — 1,088th highest in the Northeast
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9. Bradford, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $56,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.2% — 26th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $37,473 — 1,057th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -2.9% — 921st highest in the Northeast
> Population: 8,355 — 699th highest in the Northeast
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8. McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $51,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 90.1% — 3rd highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $26,259 — 1,111th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -2.6% — 879th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 5,919 — 967th highest in the Northeast
7. Oil City, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $51,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 79.8% — 17th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $39,750 — 1,031st highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -4.4% — 1,028th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 9,846 — 588th highest in the Northeast
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6. McKeesport, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $48,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 85.4% — 8th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $29,094 — 1,105th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -2.1% — 835th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 19,225 — 296th highest in the Northeast
5. Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $43,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 83.5% — 13th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $34,628 — 1,078th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -2.5% — 873rd highest in the Northeast
> Population: 5,667 — 1,018th highest in the Northeast
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4. Clairton, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $43,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 87.9% — 4th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $37,282 — 1,061st highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -2.0% — 818th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 6,619 — 882nd highest in the Northeast
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3. Duquesne, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $42,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 96.6% — 1st highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $29,844 — 1,102nd highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -0.2% — 542nd highest in the Northeast
> Population: 5,543 — 1,037th highest in the Northeast
2. Johnstown, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $38,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 93.5% — 2nd highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $24,561 — 1,112th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -3.9% — 1,006th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 19,569 — 289th highest in the Northeast
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1. Shamokin, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $36,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 85.1% — 10th highest in the Northeast
> Median household income: $28,737 — 1,106th highest in the Northeast
> 5-year pop. change: -2.8% — 906th highest in the Northeast
> Population: 7,051 — 827th highest in the Northeast
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