Where in the U.S. is the most affordable housing?

The most affordable housing in the U.S. is generally found in the Midwest and Southeast, with states like Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Oklahoma often topping affordability lists due to low median home prices and affordable cost of living. Cities like Pittsburgh, Toledo, Detroit, Wichita, Fort Wayne, and Memphis are frequently cited as having the cheapest housing markets and overall low living expenses.

Where is the most affordable housing in the United States?

The most affordable housing in the U.S. is generally found in the Midwest and South, with cities like Toledo (OH), Detroit (MI), Pittsburgh (PA), Memphis (TN), and Birmingham (AL) often topping lists, offering low median home prices and high affordability ratios. States like West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Iowa consistently rank as most affordable due to lower median incomes and housing costs, while Texas also features many budget-friendly cities like Brownsville and Wichita Falls.
 

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 US city is selling homes for $1?

Louisville, KY, is trying a new approach to neighborhood revival: selling $1 homes in blighted areas. The city hopes new owners will restore the properties and bring life back to these communities. The program, run by Louisville's Landbank Authority, focuses on putting vacant and abandoned homes back into use.

Where is the cheapest place to buy a house in the US right now?

From low property prices to affordable living costs, these areas provide excellent opportunities for first-time buyers and anyone looking to save.

• Ohio. Ohio remains one of the most affordable places to buy a home in the United States. ...
• Kentucky. ...
• Oklahoma. ...
• Delaware. ...
• Indiana. ...
• Louisiana. ...
• Arkansas. ...
• Mississippi.

Top 10 Most AFFORDABLE States to Buy a House (under $200k)

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 state is the cheapest to live in?

Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas are consistently ranked as the cheapest states to live in the U.S., primarily due to very low housing costs, affordable groceries, and lower utility expenses, though Mississippi often leads with the lowest overall cost of living index and very low taxes on retirement income, making it a top choice for affordability. Other inexpensive states frequently listed include Oklahoma, Alabama, Kansas, and Indiana, with variations depending on specific costs like housing, gas, or taxes. 

What state got the cheapest houses?

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.
 

Is it legal to buy a house for $1?

Giving someone a house as a gift — or selling it to them for $1 — is legally equivalent to selling it to them at fair market value. The home is now the property of the giftee and they may do with it as they wish.

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 happiest state to live in?

According to WalletHub's 2025 study, Hawaii is the happiest state in the U.S., ranking first for its strong emotional/physical well-being, work environment, and community/environment factors, with residents showing high life satisfaction, low depression, and long life expectancy, followed by Maryland and Nebraska in the top three. 

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.

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.

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.

What is the easiest state to live in financially?

The easiest states to live in financially generally have low costs of living, especially for housing, and often feature low taxes, with Tennessee, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi frequently topping lists for affordability and savings potential, driven by cheaper groceries, transport, and lower median home values compared to national averages. Southern and Midwestern states tend to offer more financial ease, while high-cost areas like Hawaii, California, and the Northeast are typically the hardest. 

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 salary do you need for a $400,000 house?

To afford a $400k house, you generally need an annual income between $90,000 and $135,000, though this varies by interest rates, down payment, and debt, with lenders often looking for housing costs under 28% of your gross income (28/36 rule). A lower income might suffice with a large down payment or higher interest, while more debt requires a higher income, potentially pushing the need to over $100k-$120k+ annually. 

Can I sell my house to my son for a dollar?

Selling your house to your kids for far less than its market value, like $1, is essentially considered a gift by the IRS. The difference between the home's market value and the sale price counts as a gift, which means you could owe gift taxes.

Does buying a house cash get reported to the IRS?

If you are using physical cash to buy a house and not a wire transfer, check, or electronic cash, additional documentation and tracing will be required. Under IRS regulations, any real estate transaction involving more than $10,000 in physical cash must be reported to the federal government.

Can I build a house for under $100,000?

Yes, it's possible to build a house for $100,000, but it depends on location, materials, size, and labor costs. In places with low land prices and affordable labor, a small, efficiently designed home can be built within this budget. However, in high-cost areas, it may be more challenging.

What is the most desired state to live in?

Massachusetts

According to WalletHub's study, Massachusetts is the best state to live in, excelling in all key factors—and earning the top spot in the ranking. It has the lowest premature death rate in the US, and residents earn a cushy median household income of over $101,000.

What state has the most overpriced homes?

1. California

California is the most expensive state to buy a house 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. 

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.
 

Which states have no state income tax?

As of 2025, there are nine states that don't collect any state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.