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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)
Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Get started right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
