Homebuyers seeking affordable homes should look inland to the nation’s midsection. Although the Midwestern states are often characterized as fading industrial Rust Belt relics with diminishing populations, the region still retains enough charm, business base, and, importantly, cheap houses to attract new residents.
Home values in most of the Midwest fall well below Zillow’s July national figure of $298,933 for a standard mid-tier home. The only state to beat that number is Minnesota, which sports home values of $305,000.
Surprisingly, populous Illinois isn’t the most expensive homebuying state. Zillow values homes in the Land of Lincoln at $237,000, less costly than North Dakota ($247,000) and South Dakota ($246,000). Michigan and Nebraska are not far behind at $211,000 and $208,000, respectively.
No doubt, any house in the Midwest will generally be cheaper than in, say, California or New York State. Yet even in the Midwest, some markets take affordability to the next level.
To identify the most affordable housing markets in the Midwest, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey five-year estimates, ranking only the 1,574 census-designated places, cities, and towns with at least 5,000 residents in the Midwest. All other data is from the ACS. (We calculated population change, using ACS data.)
The most affordable housing markets in the Midwest are likely to be found in Michigan, which placed 16 markets on the list. Second place was taken by Beecher, a town 65 miles northeast of Detroit. Homes in this town near Flint will cost you $29,300. Those towns will not likely be among the most expensive housing markets in the Midwest.
Illinois may be pricier, but it also includes several affordable enclaves. Ten Illinois markets made the list, beginning with Centralia at $69,400 and ending with Park City at $14,700. Centralia is located in the south-central part of the state, about 60 miles from St. Louis, Missouri. Park City, meanwhile, hangs on the edge of the Chicago metro area, 44 miles north of the Windy City, proving affordable houses can be found near big cities. If residents in those towns drive to work, they may be among the cities with the best and worst commutes.
Click here to see the most affordable places to buy a house in the Midwest
50. Centralia, Illinois
> Median home value: $69,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.5% — 65th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $37,675 — 1,467th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -3.5% — 308th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 12,356 — 818th highest in the Midwest
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49. Beardstown, Illinois
> Median home value: $68,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 78.8% — 46th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $40,750 — 1,386th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -8.6% — 337th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 5,682 — 1,442nd highest in the Midwest
48. Elwood, Indiana
> Median home value: $68,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 82.3% — 27th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $41,777 — 1,357th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -0.5% — 81st highest in the Midwest
> Population: 8,441 — 1,102nd highest in the Midwest
47. Jackson, Michigan
> Median home value: $68,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 77.5% — 51st highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $35,464 — 1,509th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -1.8% — 137th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 32,673 — 282nd highest in the Midwest
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46. Centerville, Iowa
> Median home value: $68,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 80.4% — 37th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $34,805 — 1,515th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: +0.5% — 35th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 5,458 — 1,480th highest in the Midwest
45. Maple Heights, Ohio
> Median home value: $68,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 87.2% — 13th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $42,805 — 1,327th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -1.8% — 234th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 22,383 — 457th highest in the Midwest
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44. Marion, Indiana
> Median home value: $67,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.4% — 84th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $32,977 — 1,533rd highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -3.8% — 117th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 27,956 — 325th highest in the Midwest
43. Linton, Indiana
> Median home value: $67,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 79.6% — 43rd highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $34,842 — 1,514th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -1.8% — 98th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 5,244 — 1,520th highest in the Midwest
42. Pontiac, Michigan
> Median home value: $67,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.4% — 85th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $33,568 — 1,526th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: +0.0% — 68th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 59,955 — 121st highest in the Midwest
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41. Bay City, Michigan
> Median home value: $66,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 82.3% — 28th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $37,893 — 1,463rd highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -3.6% — 165th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 33,167 — 275th highest in the Midwest
40. Dayton, Ohio
> Median home value: $66,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 76.3% — 58th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $32,540 — 1,535th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -0.6% — 164th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 140,569 — 29th highest in the Midwest
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39. Logansport, Indiana
> Median home value: $66,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 82.8% — 23rd highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $37,670 — 1,468th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: +1.4% — 60th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 17,966 — 582nd highest in the Midwest
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38. Danville, Illinois
> Median home value: $66,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.5% — 111th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $36,172 — 1,493rd highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -3.4% — 306th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 31,246 — 292nd highest in the Midwest
37. Lima, Ohio
> Median home value: $66,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 80.9% — 35th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $35,799 — 1,499th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -2.9% — 274th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 37,117 — 233rd highest in the Midwest
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36. Fostoria, Ohio
> Median home value: $66,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 78.6% — 47th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $39,688 — 1,423rd highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: +1.0% — 97th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 13,316 — 755th highest in the Midwest
35. Du Quoin, Illinois
> Median home value: $66,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.9% — 61st highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $39,794 — 1,417th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -4.0% — 316th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 5,761 — 1,430th highest in the Midwest
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34. Gary, Indiana
> Median home value: $66,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 77.2% — 52nd highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $31,936 — 1,543rd highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -3.2% — 114th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 76,010 — 74th highest in the Midwest
33. Parsons, Kansas
> Median home value: $65,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.8% — 107th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $39,949 — 1,408th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -4.8% — 57th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 9,736 — 993rd highest in the Midwest
32. Jennings, Missouri
> Median home value: $64,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 83.9% — 20th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $33,425 — 1,529th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -0.3% — 90th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 14,712 — 690th highest in the Midwest
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31. Melvindale, Michigan
> Median home value: $64,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 86.9% — 14th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $41,629 — 1,366th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -1.5% — 126th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 10,348 — 952nd highest in the Midwest
30. Arkansas City, Kansas
> Median home value: $64,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.4% — 67th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $42,576 — 1,335th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -3.1% — 52nd highest in the Midwest
> Population: 11,868 — 846th highest in the Midwest
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29. Berkeley, Missouri
> Median home value: $63,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 87.9% — 10th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $33,185 — 1,530th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -1.7% — 120th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 8,927 — 1,060th highest in the Midwest
28. Bellefontaine Neighbors, Missouri
> Median home value: $63,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 88.4% — 8th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $46,163 — 1,213th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -2.7% — 131st highest in the Midwest
> Population: 10,517 — 934th highest in the Midwest
27. Benton Harbor, Michigan
> Median home value: $63,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 80.7% — 36th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $21,916 — 1,571st highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -1.7% — 134th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 9,843 — 991st highest in the Midwest
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26. West Frankfort, Illinois
> Median home value: $62,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 81.3% — 34th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $30,430 — 1,552nd highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -0.1% — 115th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 7,715 — 1,196th highest in the Midwest
25. Hoopeston, Illinois
> Median home value: $62,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.4% — 68th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $43,914 — 1,295th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -5.9% — 332nd highest in the Midwest
> Population: 5,102 — 1,547th highest in the Midwest
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24. Warren, Ohio
> Median home value: $62,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 80.2% — 41st highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $28,898 — 1,559th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -3.4% — 276th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 39,307 — 221st highest in the Midwest
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23. Peru, Indiana
> Median home value: $61,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 85.4% — 16th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $39,267 — 1,432nd highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: +3.5% — 43rd highest in the Midwest
> Population: 11,584 — 868th highest in the Midwest
22. Hartford City, Indiana
> Median home value: $60,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 82.0% — 29th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $34,850 — 1,513th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -5.3% — 122nd highest in the Midwest
> Population: 5,831 — 1,421st highest in the Midwest
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21. Campbell, Ohio
> Median home value: $60,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 81.9% — 31st highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $31,702 — 1,544th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -2.3% — 257th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 7,889 — 1,172nd highest in the Midwest
20. Kewanee, Illinois
> Median home value: $60,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 79.6% — 44th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $41,664 — 1,363rd highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -1.5% — 196th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 12,547 — 805th highest in the Midwest
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19. Fort Scott, Kansas
> Median home value: $58,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.8% — 64th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $35,417 — 1,510th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -1.9% — 46th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 7,742 — 1,194th highest in the Midwest
18. East Cleveland, Ohio
> Median home value: $58,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 81.8% — 32nd highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $20,743 — 1,572nd highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -1.8% — 238th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 17,200 — 610th highest in the Midwest
17. Albion, Michigan
> Median home value: $56,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 83.9% — 21st highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $34,467 — 1,518th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: +0.2% — 61st highest in the Midwest
> Population: 8,336 — 1,116th highest in the Midwest
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16. Coffeyville, Kansas
> Median home value: $55,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 81.6% — 33rd highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $33,750 — 1,524th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -4.7% — 56th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 9,457 — 1,014th highest in the Midwest
15. East Liverpool, Ohio
> Median home value: $55,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 89.9% — 6th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $32,119 — 1,540th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -2.8% — 269th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 10,692 — 922nd highest in the Midwest
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14. East St. Louis, Illinois
> Median home value: $54,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 82.8% — 24th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $24,343 — 1,568th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -0.5% — 145th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 26,543 — 355th highest in the Midwest
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13. Detroit, Michigan
> Median home value: $49,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 80.4% — 38th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $30,894 — 1,548th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -2.2% — 148th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 674,841 — 4th highest in the Midwest
12. Inkster, Michigan
> Median home value: $48,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 87.3% — 12th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $32,014 — 1,542nd highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -1.5% — 125th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 24,520 — 406th highest in the Midwest
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11. Cahokia, Illinois
> Median home value: $47,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 82.5% — 26th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $35,663 — 1,506th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -3.9% — 314th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 14,162 — 707th highest in the Midwest
10. Highland Park, Michigan
> Median home value: $45,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 87.3% — 11th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $18,474 — 1,574th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -2.1% — 146th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 10,867 — 908th highest in the Midwest
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9. Youngstown, Ohio
> Median home value: $44,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 90.2% — 5th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $28,822 — 1,562nd highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -1.2% — 201st highest in the Midwest
> Population: 64,783 — 104th highest in the Midwest
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8. Muskegon Heights, Michigan
> Median home value: $43,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 84.8% — 18th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $30,795 — 1,549th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -0.6% — 94th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 10,748 — 919th highest in the Midwest
7. Ecorse, Michigan
> Median home value: $42,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 89.6% — 7th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $28,991 — 1,558th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: +1.0% — 46th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 9,432 — 1,015th highest in the Midwest
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6. Saginaw, Michigan
> Median home value: $40,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 91.8% — 3rd highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $29,582 — 1,556th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -3.3% — 164th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 48,650 — 167th highest in the Midwest
5. Buena Vista, Michigan
> Median home value: $39,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 92.0% — 2nd highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $30,735 — 1,550th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: +0.7% — 54th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 6,234 — 1,362nd highest in the Midwest
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4. River Rouge, Michigan
> Median home value: $36,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 94.1% — 1st highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $25,517 — 1,567th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -2.2% — 149th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 7,502 — 1,219th highest in the Midwest
3. Flint, Michigan
> Median home value: $29,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 91.1% — 4th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $28,834 — 1,561st highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -3.2% — 162nd highest in the Midwest
> Population: 96,559 — 51st highest in the Midwest
2. Beecher, Michigan
> Median home value: $29,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 88.1% — 9th highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $28,272 — 1,563rd highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -11.2% — 172nd highest in the Midwest
> Population: 9,041 — 1,047th highest in the Midwest
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1. Park City, Illinois
> Median home value: $14,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 83.5% — 22nd highest in the Midwest
> Median household income: $51,082 — 1,018th highest in the Midwest
> 5-year pop. change: -0.5% — 140th highest in the Midwest
> Population: 7,396 — 1,229th highest in the Midwest
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