Special Report

Most Affordable Housing Markets in the South

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Home values are at an all time high in the United States. According to real estate marketplace company Zillow, the typical American home was worth $348,539 at the end of September 2023, the latest month of available data – up 44% from four years earlier.

The sharp rise in home prices, precipitated in part by supply constraints and surging demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, has made homeownership unaffordable for large segments of the population. The ongoing affordability crisis has been compounded in recent months by rising interest rates. As of late October, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in the U.S. stood at 7.8%, the highest level in over two decades. (Here is a look at the states with the worst housing shortages for low income Americans.)

Some of these broader market trends have not impacted all parts of the country evenly, however. Based on the latest Zillow data, there are 10 states where the typical home is worth less than $250,000, and all but three of them are concentrated in the South. And in many cities and towns across the Southern United States, most homes cost less than $100,000. 

Using data from Zillow, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most affordable housing markets in the South. We reviewed Zillow estimates on median home value for over 1,800 communities across the Southern U.S. We only considered places with populations of over 5,000 and with income data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey. 

Among the 50 places on this list, the value of a typical home ranges from just under $97,000 to about $43,000. These cities and towns are spread across eight Southern states, including Texas, where 12 places on this list are located, as well as Alabama, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, which are each home to seven. 

Breaking from the broader national trend, 40 of the cities and towns on this list have reported falling home values in the last 12 months. In most of them, falling home values coincided with a one-year decline in population, according to five-year estimates from the Census Bureau’s 2021 ACS, which likely resulted in reduced demand for housing. 

Not only a product of supply and demand, home values are also often a reflection of what local residents can afford – and incomes in each of these places are lower than average. Nationwide, the typical American household earns $69,021 annually, according to five-year ACS estimates. Meanwhile, no city or town on this list has a median household income above $56,000, and in most of them, the typical household earns less than $40,000 a year. (Here is a look at the poorest county in every state.)

Here are the most affordable housing markets in the South.

50. Alva, OK

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $96,774 (state: $199,221)
  • Median household income: $48,523 (state: $56,956)
  • 1-yr. home value change: +7.2% (+$6,506)
  • Population: 5,056
  • 1-yr. population change: +0.2% (+10)
  • Region: Woods County, Oklahoma

49. Hazard, KY

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $96,754 (state: $200,645)
  • Median household income: $55,543 (state: $55,454)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -4.4% (-$4,414)
  • Population: 5,236
  • 1-yr. population change: +5.3% (+262)
  • Region: Perry County, Kentucky

48. Camden, AR

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $96,538 (state: $200,795)
  • Median household income: $42,348 (state: $52,123)
  • 1-yr. home value change: +3.0% (+$2,829)
  • Population: 10,644
  • 1-yr. population change: -2.1% (-233)
  • Region: Ouachita County, Arkansas

47. Warren, AR

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $96,363 (state: $200,795)
  • Median household income: $36,446 (state: $52,123)
  • 1-yr. home value change: +5.0% (+$4,627)
  • Population: 5,485
  • 1-yr. population change: -2.0% (-111)
  • Region: Bradley County, Arkansas

46. Port Arthur, TX

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $96,125 (state: $300,090)
  • Median household income: $42,933 (state: $67,321)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -1.7% (-$1,636)
  • Population: 55,757
  • 1-yr. population change: +1.9% (+1,052)
  • Region: Jefferson County, Texas

45. Brownfield, TX

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $96,101 (state: $300,090)
  • Median household income: $45,557 (state: $67,321)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -14.7% (-$16,529)
  • Population: 9,065
  • 1-yr. population change: -3.9% (-366)
  • Region: Terry County, Texas

44. Henryetta, OK

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $95,940 (state: $199,221)
  • Median household income: $38,942 (state: $56,956)
  • 1-yr. home value change: +1.8% (+$1,714)
  • Population: 5,667
  • 1-yr. population change: +1.5% (+81)
  • Region: Okmulgee County, Oklahoma

43. Okmulgee, OK

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $94,788 (state: $199,221)
  • Median household income: $36,258 (state: $56,956)
  • 1-yr. home value change: +2.7% (+$2,498)
  • Population: 11,330
  • 1-yr. population change: -3.7% (-438)
  • Region: Okmulgee County, Oklahoma

42. Franklin, LA

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $94,530 (state: $200,146)
  • Median household income: $33,390 (state: $53,571)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -5.6% (-$5,628)
  • Population: 6,811
  • 1-yr. population change: -0.5% (-33)
  • Region: Saint Mary Parish, Louisiana

41. Jennings, LA

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $94,506 (state: $200,146)
  • Median household income: $37,301 (state: $53,571)
  • 1-yr. home value change: +0.0% (-$07)
  • Population: 9,836
  • 1-yr. population change: -0.4% (-38)
  • Region: Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana

40. McComb, MS

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $92,949 (state: $176,568)
  • Median household income: $32,515 (state: $49,111)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -6.7% (-$6,714)
  • Population: 12,400
  • 1-yr. population change: -3.0% (-388)
  • Region: Pike County, Mississippi

39. Gadsden, AL

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $91,070 (state: $223,447)
  • Median household income: $35,776 (state: $54,943)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -7.2% (-$7,066)
  • Population: 34,317
  • 1-yr. population change: -2.6% (-907)
  • Region: Etowah County, Alabama

38. Vernon, TX

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $90,876 (state: $300,090)
  • Median household income: $43,338 (state: $67,321)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -6.1% (-$5,908)
  • Population: 10,206
  • 1-yr. population change: +1.3% (+128)
  • Region: Wilbarger County, Texas

37. Greenwood, MS

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $90,811 (state: $176,568)
  • Median household income: $28,221 (state: $49,111)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -6.0% (-$5,755)
  • Population: 14,521
  • 1-yr. population change: +5.0% (+695)
  • Region: Leflore County, Mississippi

36. Fairfield, AL

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $90,742 (state: $223,447)
  • Median household income: $43,914 (state: $54,943)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -3.9% (-$3,649)
  • Population: 10,108
  • 1-yr. population change: -6.0% (-641)
  • Region: Jefferson County, Alabama

35. Marion, SC

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $90,219 (state: $288,342)
  • Median household income: $27,024 (state: $58,234)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -2.3% (-$2,134)
  • Population: 6,472
  • 1-yr. population change: -1.9% (-126)
  • Region: Marion County, South Carolina

34. Pikeville, KY

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $89,832 (state: $200,645)
  • Median household income: $41,094 (state: $55,454)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -10.1% (-$10,056)
  • Population: 7,376
  • 1-yr. population change: +11.1% (+734)
  • Region: Pike County, Kentucky

33. Robstown, TX

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $89,453 (state: $300,090)
  • Median household income: $38,497 (state: $67,321)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -13.1% (-$13,494)
  • Population: 10,372
  • 1-yr. population change: -7.5% (-842)
  • Region: Nueces County, Texas

32. Bogalusa, LA

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $87,376 (state: $200,146)
  • Median household income: $32,613 (state: $53,571)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -17.7% (-$18,853)
  • Population: 10,921
  • 1-yr. population change: -6.3% (-737)
  • Region: Washington Parish, Louisiana

31. Raymondville, TX

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $87,375 (state: $300,090)
  • Median household income: $39,291 (state: $67,321)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -8.5% (-$8,086)
  • Population: 10,574
  • 1-yr. population change: -3.4% (-376)
  • Region: Willacy County, Texas

30. Altus, OK

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $86,978 (state: $199,221)
  • Median household income: $52,085 (state: $56,956)
  • 1-yr. home value change: +2.3% (+$1,990)
  • Population: 18,825
  • 1-yr. population change: +1.6% (+292)
  • Region: Jackson County, Oklahoma

29. Crystal City, TX

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $86,954 (state: $300,090)
  • Median household income: $44,328 (state: $67,321)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -2.4% (-$2,108)
  • Population: 6,504
  • 1-yr. population change: -10.4% (-752)
  • Region: Zavala County, Texas

28. Borger, TX

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $86,628 (state: $300,090)
  • Median household income: $49,705 (state: $67,321)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -4.9% (-$4,430)
  • Population: 12,612
  • 1-yr. population change: +0.6% (+78)
  • Region: Hutchinson County, Texas

27. Childress, TX

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $86,418 (state: $300,090)
  • Median household income: $47,308 (state: $67,321)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -9.2% (-$8,745)
  • Population: 5,751
  • 1-yr. population change: -5.9% (-358)
  • Region: Childress County, Texas

26. Oakdale, LA

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $86,315 (state: $200,146)
  • Median household income: $38,482 (state: $53,571)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -9.4% (-$8,945)
  • Population: 7,092
  • 1-yr. population change: -6.3% (-479)
  • Region: Allen Parish, Louisiana

25. Pampa, TX

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $84,793 (state: $300,090)
  • Median household income: $48,010 (state: $67,321)
  • 1-yr. home value change: +6.0% (+$4,802)
  • Population: 16,817
  • 1-yr. population change: -2.4% (-409)
  • Region: Gray County, Texas

24. Dillon, SC

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $84,647 (state: $288,342)
  • Median household income: $42,822 (state: $58,234)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -10.8% (-$10,221)
  • Population: 6,354
  • 1-yr. population change: -0.1% (-04)
  • Region: Dillon County, South Carolina

23. Bennettsville, SC

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $84,469 (state: $288,342)
  • Median household income: $31,866 (state: $58,234)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -11.3% (-$10,810)
  • Population: 7,306
  • 1-yr. population change: -7.6% (-599)
  • Region: Marlboro County, South Carolina

22. Marlin, TX

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $83,191 (state: $300,090)
  • Median household income: $28,061 (state: $67,321)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -11.0% (-$10,260)
  • Population: 5,512
  • 1-yr. population change: -1.6% (-90)
  • Region: Falls County, Texas

21. Littlefield, TX

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $82,479 (state: $300,090)
  • Median household income: $45,101 (state: $67,321)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -11.3% (-$10,552)
  • Population: 5,991
  • 1-yr. population change: +1.5% (+91)
  • Region: Lamb County, Texas

20. Lamesa, TX

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $81,698 (state: $300,090)
  • Median household income: $36,351 (state: $67,321)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -14.0% (-$13,301)
  • Population: 8,685
  • 1-yr. population change: -5.4% (-494)
  • Region: Dawson County, Texas

19. Midfield, AL

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $81,152 (state: $223,447)
  • Median household income: $46,929 (state: $54,943)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -1.3% (-$1,030)
  • Population: 5,219
  • 1-yr. population change: +4.7% (+235)
  • Region: Jefferson County, Alabama

18. Galliano, LA

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $80,608 (state: $200,146)
  • Median household income: $50,344 (state: $53,571)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -29.2% (-$33,258)
  • Population: 7,378
  • 1-yr. population change: -1.8% (-136)
  • Region: Lafourche Parish, Louisiana

17. Pine Bluff, AR

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $80,178 (state: $200,795)
  • Median household income: $36,940 (state: $52,123)
  • 1-yr. home value change: +3.4% (+$2,643)
  • Population: 41,964
  • 1-yr. population change: -0.8% (-359)
  • Region: Jefferson County, Arkansas

16. Bastrop, LA

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $77,880 (state: $200,146)
  • Median household income: $23,955 (state: $53,571)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -8.2% (-$6,968)
  • Population: 9,879
  • 1-yr. population change: -1.8% (-181)
  • Region: Morehouse Parish, Louisiana

15. Newport, AR

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $76,955 (state: $200,795)
  • Median household income: $33,948 (state: $52,123)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -5.2% (-$4,240)
  • Population: 7,829
  • 1-yr. population change: +3.7% (+277)
  • Region: Jackson County, Arkansas

14. Hope, AR

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $75,806 (state: $200,795)
  • Median household income: $42,122 (state: $52,123)
  • 1-yr. home value change: +2.2% (+$1,657)
  • Population: 9,010
  • 1-yr. population change: -6.8% (-658)
  • Region: Hempstead County, Arkansas

13. Tuskegee, AL

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $74,780 (state: $223,447)
  • Median household income: $32,024 (state: $54,943)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -6.3% (-$4,986)
  • Population: 9,125
  • 1-yr. population change: +8.1% (+682)
  • Region: Macon County, Alabama

12. Blytheville, AR

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $73,787 (state: $200,795)
  • Median household income: $43,191 (state: $52,123)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -15.4% (-$13,454)
  • Population: 13,559
  • 1-yr. population change: -1.3% (-176)
  • Region: Mississippi County, Arkansas

11. Jackson, MS

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $68,136 (state: $176,568)
  • Median household income: $39,969 (state: $49,111)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -19.8% (-$16,858)
  • Population: 156,803
  • 1-yr. population change: -4.3% (-6,975)
  • Region: Hinds County, Mississippi

10. Tarrant, AL

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $66,232 (state: $223,447)
  • Median household income: $36,927 (state: $54,943)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -6.2% (-$4,375)
  • Population: 6,137
  • 1-yr. population change: -1.3% (-79)
  • Region: Jefferson County, Alabama

9. Forrest City, AR

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $65,140 (state: $200,795)
  • Median household income: $33,229 (state: $52,123)
  • 1-yr. home value change: +6.5% (+$3,974)
  • Population: 13,372
  • 1-yr. population change: -4.9% (-690)
  • Region: Saint Francis County, Arkansas

8. Greenville, MS

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $63,785 (state: $176,568)
  • Median household income: $32,066 (state: $49,111)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -18.4% (-$14,352)
  • Population: 30,175
  • 1-yr. population change: +1.1% (+321)
  • Region: Washington County, Mississippi

7. Yazoo City, MS

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $60,895 (state: $176,568)
  • Median household income: $30,092 (state: $49,111)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -19.0% (-$14,284)
  • Population: 10,887
  • 1-yr. population change: +0.7% (+81)
  • Region: Yazoo County, Mississippi

6. Selma, AL

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $58,405 (state: $223,447)
  • Median household income: $29,656 (state: $54,943)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -2.5% (-$1,523)
  • Population: 18,429
  • 1-yr. population change: +3.8% (+667)
  • Region: Dallas County, Alabama

5. Anadarko, OK

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $57,945 (state: $199,221)
  • Median household income: $44,203 (state: $56,956)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -7.4% (-$4,601)
  • Population: 6,182
  • 1-yr. population change: -6.3% (-418)
  • Region: Caddo County, Oklahoma

4. Blackwell, OK

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $56,899 (state: $199,221)
  • Median household income: $45,855 (state: $56,956)
  • 1-yr. home value change: +0.8% (+$426)
  • Population: 6,192
  • 1-yr. population change: -6.7% (-442)
  • Region: Kay County, Oklahoma

3. Holdenville, OK

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $51,046 (state: $199,221)
  • Median household income: $36,300 (state: $56,956)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -6.4% (-$3,499)
  • Population: 5,753
  • 1-yr. population change: +1.6% (+91)
  • Region: Hughes County, Oklahoma

2. Clarksdale, MS

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  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $44,399 (state: $176,568)
  • Median household income: $30,711 (state: $49,111)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -18.8% (-$10,259)
  • Population: 15,124
  • 1-yr. population change: -1.4% (-218)
  • Region: Coahoma County, Mississippi

1. Prichard, AL

  • Typical home value, Sept. 2022: $43,024 (state: $223,447)
  • Median household income: $32,900 (state: $54,943)
  • 1-yr. home value change: -0.9% (-$377)
  • Population: 19,645
  • 1-yr. population change: -9.1% (-1,973)
  • Region: Mobile County, Alabama

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