Special Report

You Can Buy a Home for Under $100,000 in These American Cities

huddleston / Flickr

While COVID-19 kept many people at home for a year-and-a-half, more than seven million households moved to another county in 2020 — almost half a million more than moved in 2019. Over the same period, the real estate market saw what Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies called an “extraordinary and unexpected pandemic increase in house prices.”

The winding down (we hope) of the crisis hasn’t slowed the market down. The online real estate marketplace Zillow estimates that the value of a middle-tier home in the U.S. landed at $293,340 (seasonally adjusted) this June, a 15% jump over the previous year. The firm further predicts values will climb 13.2% in the year to come. Realtor.com, meanwhile, found that the national median listing price for active home sales in June grew 12.7% compared to last year, reaching $385,000 — a decrease from the 15.2% growth in May, but still substantial.  

But these are national averages, and don’t reflect the cost of housing in many parts of the country. And if the pandemic clarified anything, it was that workers don’t necessarily need to live in a major (and probably pricey) metropolitan area. Many can now work from anywhere, so are able to consider moving to less glamorous and less expensive places, and telecommuting from a home that won’t stretch the budget. (If money is no concern, on the other hand, see American cities with the highest share of luxury homes for sale.)

Reviewing data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates, 24/7 Wall St. has identified the 47 locales where it’s easiest to buy a house for less than $100,000. We ranked only census-designated places, cities, and towns with at least 50,000 residents where median home values were below $100,000. All data comes from the ACS except percent of population change, which we calculated using ACS data.

Click here to see American cities where you can buy a home for under $100,000

We found some real bargains — vibrant, populous cities with universities, lively cultural scenes, and solid employment bases, like Cleveland, Ohio, and Birmingham, Alabama. Ohio, in fact, comes up nine times on our list, and many other entries are also in the Midwest. Even New York State has pockets of affordability, though, in places like Rochester and Syracuse. (See the cheapest city to buy a home in every state.)

sshepard / Getty Images

43. Albany, Georgia
> Median home value: $99,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 50.1% — 43 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $36,615 — 815 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -3.9% — 830 out of 835 cities
> Population: 73,478

[in-text-ad]

Tyler Tomasek / iStock via Getty Images

42. Elyria, Ohio
> Median home value: $99,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 50.7% — 42 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $44,324 — 734 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -0.4% — 683 out of 835 cities
> Population: 53,821

41. Florissant, Missouri
> Median home value: $97,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 54.0% — 37 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $54,978 — 520 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -1.7% — 796 out of 835 cities
> Population: 51,455

Viiticus, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

40. Taylor, Michigan
> Median home value: $96,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 52.2% — 41 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $50,053 — 624 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -1.0% — 744 out of 835 cities
> Population: 61,379

[in-text-ad-2]

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

39. Utica, New York
> Median home value: $95,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 53.7% — 38 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $37,760 — 807 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -2.1% — 810 out of 835 cities
> Population: 60,320

Publichall / Wikimedia Commons

38. Elkhart, Indiana
> Median home value: $95,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 53.6% — 39 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $40,750 — 782 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -0.2% — 655 out of 835 cities
> Population: 52,257

[in-text-ad]

ChrisBoswell / Getty Images

37. Trenton, New Jersey
> Median home value: $95,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 54.1% — 35 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $35,402 — 821 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -1.4% — 783 out of 835 cities
> Population: 83,412

36. Kansas City, Kansas
> Median home value: $95,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 52.6% — 40 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $45,665 — 715 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: 2.5% — 431 out of 835 cities
> Population: 152,522

DebraMillet / Getty Images

35. Syracuse, New York
> Median home value: $94,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 55.2% — 34 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $38,276 — 805 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -1.2% — 756 out of 835 cities
> Population: 142,874

[in-text-ad-2]

BOB WESTON / Getty Images

34. Evansville, Indiana
> Median home value: $94,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 55.4% — 32 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $40,178 — 791 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -1.4% — 773 out of 835 cities
> Population: 118,588

33. Hammond, Indiana
> Median home value: $91,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 59.6% — 25 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $46,406 — 702 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -3.1% — 822 out of 835 cities
> Population: 76,547

[in-text-ad]

benkrut / Getty Images

32. Rockford, Illinois
> Median home value: $91,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 55.4% — 31 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $44,252 — 736 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -2.1% — 811 out of 835 cities
> Population: 147,070

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

31. Birmingham, Alabama
> Median home value: $91,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 55.2% — 33 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $37,375 — 809 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: 0.0% — 638 out of 835 cities
> Population: 212,297

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

30. Jackson, Mississippi
> Median home value: $90,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 55.6% — 30 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $38,888 — 800 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -3.9% — 831 out of 835 cities
> Population: 166,383

[in-text-ad-2]

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

29. Brownsville, Texas
> Median home value: $90,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 58.2% — 27 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $38,588 — 802 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: 0.4% — 602 out of 835 cities
> Population: 182,271

Jacek_Sopotnicki / Getty Images

28. Buffalo, New York
> Median home value: $89,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 54.1% — 36 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $37,354 — 810 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -1.2% — 757 out of 835 cities
> Population: 256,480

[in-text-ad]

zrfphoto / Getty Images

27. Erie, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $89,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 62.2% — 22 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $37,894 — 806 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -3.4% — 826 out of 835 cities
> Population: 97,263

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

26. Kokomo, Indiana
> Median home value: $89,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 57.4% — 29 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $45,797 — 711 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: 0.2% — 623 out of 835 cities
> Population: 58,145

DavieJones13 / iStock via Getty Images

25. Harlingen, Texas
> Median home value: $87,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 58.8% — 26 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $39,752 — 793 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -1.0% — 743 out of 835 cities
> Population: 65,129

[in-text-ad-2]

CGP Grey / Wikimedia Commons

24. Lorain, Ohio
> Median home value: $87,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 60.3% — 24 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $38,291 — 804 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: 0.0% — 639 out of 835 cities
> Population: 63,801

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

23. Battle Creek, Michigan
> Median home value: $86,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 58.0% — 28 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $42,298 — 761 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -1.0% — 739 out of 835 cities
> Population: 51,316

[in-text-ad]

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

22. South Bend, Indiana
> Median home value: $85,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 60.3% — 23 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $40,265 — 789 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: 1.4% — 508 out of 835 cities
> Population: 102,037

ChrisBoswell / Getty Images

21. Camden, New Jersey
> Median home value: $84,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 68.1% — 13 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $27,015 — 835 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -3.8% — 829 out of 835 cities
> Population: 74,002

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

20. Lansing, Michigan
> Median home value: $83,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 65.2% — 16 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $41,674 — 771 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: 2.3% — 440 out of 835 cities
> Population: 117,159

[in-text-ad-2]

Davel5957 / Getty Images

19. Rochester, New York
> Median home value: $83,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 63.9% — 20 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $35,590 — 820 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -1.8% — 800 out of 835 cities
> Population: 206,848

Archedamian / Wikimedia Commons

18. Decatur, Illinois
> Median home value: $83,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 62.5% — 21 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $42,701 — 756 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -3.1% — 821 out of 835 cities
> Population: 72,359

[in-text-ad]

Henryk Sadura / Shutterstock.com

17. Akron, Ohio
> Median home value: $82,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 65.2% — 17 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $38,739 — 801 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -0.1% — 650 out of 835 cities
> Population: 198,051

DavieJones13 / iStock via Getty Images

16. Pharr, Texas
> Median home value: $80,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 65.7% — 14 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $39,884 — 792 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: 5.1% — 252 out of 835 cities
> Population: 78,073

Mshake / Getty Images

15. Toledo, Ohio
> Median home value: $80,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 64.3% — 19 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $37,752 — 808 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -2.0% — 805 out of 835 cities
> Population: 276,614

[in-text-ad-2]

Cindy Funk / Wikimedia Commons

14. Springfield, Ohio
> Median home value: $80,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 64.7% — 18 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $39,332 — 796 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -1.5% — 784 out of 835 cities
> Population: 59,132

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

13. Terre Haute, Indiana
> Median home value: $78,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 65.4% — 15 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $36,406 — 817 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -0.6% — 710 out of 835 cities
> Population: 60,673

[in-text-ad]

lydiabilby / Getty Images

12. Muncie, Indiana
> Median home value: $73,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 68.5% — 12 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $33,944 — 824 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -2.0% — 809 out of 835 cities
> Population: 68,750

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

11. Reading, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $73,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.3% — 9 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $32,176 — 829 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: 0.2% — 618 out of 835 cities
> Population: 88,232

Angelina Cecchetto / iStock via Getty Images

10. Anderson, Indiana
> Median home value: $72,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.5% — 8 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $37,038 — 813 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -2.0% — 806 out of 835 cities
> Population: 54,513

[in-text-ad-2]

benkrut / Getty Images

9. Canton, Ohio
> Median home value: $71,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 70.8% — 10 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $32,287 — 828 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -1.7% — 793 out of 835 cities
> Population: 71,243

PapaBear / Getty Images

8. Cleveland, Ohio
> Median home value: $69,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.8% — 7 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $30,907 — 831 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -1.4% — 774 out of 835 cities
> Population: 385,282

[in-text-ad]

Andrew Jameson / Wikimedia Commons

7. Pontiac, Michigan
> Median home value: $67,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.4% — 6 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $33,568 — 825 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: 0.0% — 637 out of 835 cities
> Population: 59,955

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

6. Dayton, Ohio
> Median home value: $66,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 76.3% — 5 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $32,540 — 827 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -0.6% — 695 out of 835 cities
> Population: 140,569

Lotzman Katzman / Wikimedia Commons

5. Gary, Indiana
> Median home value: $66,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 77.2% — 4 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $31,936 — 830 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -3.2% — 823 out of 835 cities
> Population: 76,010

[in-text-ad-2]

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

4. Port Arthur, Texas
> Median home value: $65,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.8% — 11 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $36,557 — 816 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: 0.4% — 600 out of 835 cities
> Population: 55,109

Steven_Kriemadis / Getty Images

3. Detroit, Michigan
> Median home value: $49,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 80.4% — 3 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $30,894 — 832 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -2.2% — 815 out of 835 cities
> Population: 674,841

[in-text-ad]

StanRohrer / Getty Images

2. Youngstown, Ohio
> Median home value: $44,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 90.2% — 2 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $28,822 — 834 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -1.2% — 761 out of 835 cities
> Population: 64,783

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

1. Flint, Michigan
> Median home value: $29,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 91.1% — 1 out of 835 cities
> Median household income: $28,834 — 833 out of 835 cities
> 5-year pop. change: -3.2% — 824 out of 835 cities
> Population: 96,559

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.