What state is the cheapest to buy a home in?

The cheapest states to buy a house consistently include West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Iowa, offering median home prices well below the national average, with states like West Virginia and Mississippi often topping lists for affordability due to low median sale prices and overall lower cost of living.


What's the most affordable state to buy a home in?

The cheapest states to buy a house consistently include West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Iowa, offering median home prices well below the national average, with states like West Virginia and Mississippi often topping lists for affordability due to low median sale prices and overall lower cost of living.
 

What is a $1 dollar house in the US?

The One-Dollar Homeownership Program is an unprecedented partnership between NACA and cities and towns across the nation to create affordable homeownership for low to moderate income homebuyers in underserved communities. Community residents can purchase a vacant house or lot from the city for only one dollar.


What is the cheapest but safest state to live in?

For the best combination of cheap and safe, consider states like Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas, which consistently rank high in affordability (low housing, groceries, overall cost of living) while also offering manageable safety, with Vermont and New Hampshire often topping pure safety lists, though they are pricier. The ideal balance depends on whether you prioritize the lowest cost (Mississippi) or strong safety (Vermont), with Midwestern/Southern states generally offering lower expenses and Northern/New England states often leading in safety metrics. 

What state is the easiest to buy a house in?

The easiest states to buy a house generally have low median home prices, lower property taxes, and good affordability for renters, with West Virginia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Indiana frequently ranking at the top for starter homes and new buyers due to affordable housing and buyer assistance programs. These states offer a combination of lower entry costs, like significantly lower home prices than the national average, and programs that help with down payments, making homeownership more attainable, notes Investopedia, Construction Coverage, and Credit Karma. 


15 Cheapest States to Buy a House in America



How much mortgage can I get with $70,000 salary?

With a $70,000 salary, you can generally afford a house between $210,000 and $350,000, but your actual budget depends heavily on your credit score, existing debts, down payment, and current mortgage rates, with lenders often following the 28/36 rule (housing costs under 28% of gross income, total debt under 36%). A good starting point is keeping your total monthly housing payment (PITI) under $1,633, but a lower Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratio and larger down payment increase your buying power. 

What state has the lowest cost of living?

The state with the lowest cost of living is consistently ranked as Mississippi, followed closely by states like Arkansas, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Alabama, with housing costs being a major factor in their affordability. These Southern and Midwestern states offer significantly lower expenses for housing, groceries, and transportation compared to the national average, making everyday life more affordable, though sometimes accompanied by lower median incomes. 

Which state is worth moving to?

The study found the best states to move to are Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho and Virginia. According to the list, worst states to move to are California, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oregon.


Where can I live that is warm and cheap?

Best affordable warm states with soaring home prices
  • Texas. Texas is ideal for millennials and Gen Z buyers who want affordable housing, strong job opportunities, and a good quality of life without the sky-high prices of coastal cities. ...
  • Florida. ...
  • Arizona. ...
  • Georgia. ...
  • South Carolina.


What state has the worst cost of living?

The worst state for cost of living is consistently Hawaii, followed by high-cost states like California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, due to extremely high housing, grocery, and utility expenses driven by isolation, import reliance, and high demand, making it difficult to save money even with decent incomes. 

Why are there 1 dollar houses on Zillow?

Others are abandoned or foreclosed properties that cities are hoping investors will pour big money into to get these homes into habitable shape again. And some $1 listings are marketing ploys, meant to draw online clicks, interest, and ultimately, a bidding war that drives the final price much higher.


What is the cheapest form of housing?

13 Cheap Housing Alternatives
  • Renting a Guest House. ...
  • Living in a Mobile Home. ...
  • Moving into a Tiny Home. ...
  • Living in a Shipping Container Home. ...
  • Living as a Live-In Caretaker. ...
  • Being an On-Site Property Manager. ...
  • Renting Out a Room in Your Home. ...
  • Move in with Friends or Family.


How much money do I need to buy a $1 m house?

If you're in the market for a $1 million mortgage, you're likely wondering how much you need to save for the down payment. Financial advisors often recommend a 20% down payment. Therefore, to purchase a home worth a million dollars, you'd generally need a hefty $200,000 for the down payment.

Where can Americans afford to live alone in 2025?

These are the U.S. cities where Americans can actually afford to live on a single person's income—and the ones out-of-budget for singletons
  • Budget-friendly options came down to these locations. ...
  • 1) Wichita, Kansas. ...
  • 2) Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ...
  • 3) Lincoln, Nebraska. ...
  • 4) Des Moines, Iowa. ...
  • 5) Akron, Ohio.


Is it better to buy or rent?

Buying vs. renting depends on your finances, lifestyle, and timeline; buying builds equity and offers control but involves high upfront costs and maintenance, while renting offers flexibility and fewer responsibilities but no equity gain, with current high rates often favoring renting in many areas, though long-term stability and tax benefits of buying remain attractive if you plan to stay put for several years. 

What is a good credit score for buying a house?

640-699: Qualified for a home loan, but not the best mortgage rates available. 700-749: Strong borrower with access to good interest rates and more home loan options. 750-850: Excellent credit! You'll qualify for the best interest rates and loan terms.

Where can you live on $1200 a month?

Varna, Bulgaria—one of the cities highlighted in a new report on the world's most affordable places to live or retire for as little as $1,200 a month. That financial reality has more people exploring the idea of moving abroad—whether for retirement, remote work or a lifestyle change.


What city in the US is 70 degrees year-round?

What city is 70 degrees year-round in the U.S.? San Diego consistently hovers around 70 degrees year-round, making it one of the most comfortable places to live in the U.S.

Where is the cheapest but nicest place to live in the US?

The cheapest, best places to live in the U.S. often involve the Midwest and South, with cities like Wichita (KS), Fort Wayne (IN), Dayton (OH), and Knoxville (TN) offering low housing costs and good value, while states like West Virginia, Mississippi, and Oklahoma consistently rank as most affordable overall. Key factors are low housing prices and a cost of living significantly below the national average, with some top contenders being Decatur (IL), Enid (OK), and Brownsville (TX), but "best" depends on balancing budget with lifestyle needs like jobs, culture, and amenities. 

Which state pays you to move there?

Yes, several U.S. states and cities offer financial incentives to attract new residents, primarily targeting remote workers or those filling local jobs, with popular programs in West Virginia (Ascend WV), Alabama (Remote Shoals), Kansas (Topeka), Oklahoma (Tulsa), Michigan (Jackson), Maryland (Baltimore), and Georgia (Columbus), offering cash, housing assistance, or other perks for relocating, though usually with conditions like a minimum stay.
 


What is the #1 state people are leaving?

Key Points (2025)

Top outbound states by volume: New York lost the most residents from 2020 to 2024 with 446,814 people leaving, followed by California with 530,886 net outbound, and Illinois with 139,399 departures, representing the largest absolute population losses in the nation.

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as it depends on the study, but recent reports often name Massachusetts, Vermont, or New Jersey as #1 for Quality of Life, with Massachusetts leading in overall metrics (health, education) and Vermont shining in specific areas like low crime and natural environment. Other top contenders include Idaho, Minnesota, and New York, highlighting that rankings vary based on whether they emphasize healthcare, economy, safety, or environment. 

What is the best state to move to if you are poor?

  • New Hampshire. #1 in Low Poverty Rate. #2 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Utah. #2 in Low Poverty Rate. #1 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Minnesota. #3 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
  • Colorado. #4 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
  • Maryland. #5 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
  • Vermont. #6 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
  • New Jersey. #7 in Low Poverty Rate. ...
  • North Dakota. #8 in Low Poverty Rate.


What state has the friendliest people?

While subjective, studies and surveys consistently rank Minnesota, Tennessee, and South Carolina as some of the friendliest U.S. states, often followed by Texas and Wyoming, with general "Southern hospitality" and Midwest politeness often cited, though perceptions of "niceness" (like Minnesota's reserved style) can vary.
 

Where am I supposed to live if I can't afford rent?

Explore Government Assistance Programs

Local state and federal programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provide housing that includes units with rents affordable to low-income tenants and vouchers that help offset rent payments at privately owned housing.