The Highs And Lows Of The American Housing Market
If you are plotting your future in the land we call America, take a look at this list of the 10 cheapest and 10 most expensive states. Start calculating the mortgage right now!
Mississippi
At $179,749, this state has the second-lowest average home value in the United States (we're saving the cheapest state for a bit later). Strangely, Bruno Mars shouting out the city of Jackson in “Uptown Funk” didn’t shoot up the value.
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Mississippi
As a state, Mississippi boasts a number of renowned educational institutions as well as beautiful forestry. Its value is on the rise, so keep your eyes peeled for the right home.
Louisiana
New Orleans may be one of the most famous cities in not just the United States, but the world. That being said, its state of residence, Louisiana, is actually one of the most affordable places in the country, with an average home value of $202, 392.
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Louisiana
Beyond just the well-known wonders of New Orleans, Louisiana offers cities like Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette, which all boast growing economies as well as lovely scenery.
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Arkansas
Maybe best known as President Clinton’s home state, Arkansas also offers strong options for people looking to settle down and start a family. With an average home costing $206,394, it’s one of the most accessible places in the United States to plan your future.
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Arkansas
Arkansas’s biggest city is Little Rock, which for years has been boasting itself as a burgeoning tech hub. Might be a good location for anyone looking to potentially find what could be the southern Silicon Valley.
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma offers a lot beyond just the legacy of its biggest college football team, the Sooners. At $206,689, the average home value shows that many new communities are bound to form.
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Oklahoma
The state boasts two thriving cities, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Need proof? Sylvester Stallone is even starring in a television show about the latter.
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Kentucky
Forget Kentucky Fried Chicken, the Bluegrass State should be known for more than a greasy fast food franchise that bears its name. One of the most affordable states in America, Kentucky has a lot to offer.
Kentucky
The state’s three biggest cities of Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green all offer high levels of affordability as well as welcoming communities to raise a family.
Iowa
The spotlight is on Iowa every four years when they’re the first state to hold a Presidential primary. Beyond that, the state offers cozy and highly affordable living, with the average home value being $217,641.
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Iowa
Iowa’s image is heavily associated with farming, but cities such as Des Moines and Cedar Rapids offer burgeoning arts scenes that will make it enticing even to younger folks.
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Kansas
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Travis Kelce has likely brought some attention back to this state, but regardless, it remains a place for affordable homes. The average home value is $226,870.
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Kansas
The two cities that are gaining the most attention in the state are Topeka and Wichita, which may seem like small towns from the outset but are attracting more and more people with every passing year.
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Ohio
Ohio continues to define the image of middle America, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t accessible to live in. The average home value is still $227,542.
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Ohio
The city that’s become the most attractive to potential home buyers in Ohio is the state capital Columbus, in part due to its strong economy and more liberal-leaning atmosphere.
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Alabama
Alabama has a number of appealing qualities, especially for those who like the heat. The average home also only goes for $228,241.
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Alabama
The state has a good reputation for its friendly people and beautiful scenery. You can find them in its biggest cities such as Mobile, Birmingham, and Huntsville.
West Virginia
The very cheapest state in the country is the Appalachian coal center of America. With an average home value of $163,443, you won’t have to break the bank to live there. But don't get too excited—there's one major drawback to living in this state.
West Virginia
The biggest cities in the state include Charleston, Huntington, and Morgantown. All offer a mix of modest-sized town charm and countryside options, but if you're hoping to live in this state, be aware that it's not the best place to make a buck. You might get a cheap house in West Virginia, but the state has some of the lowest income rates in the country.
Experts suggest finding a job in Pittsburgh, where you'll get paid a lot better, and living in West Virginia to really make the most of your money.
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Hawaii
Going from the cheapest to the most expensive, we have America’s scenic state, Hawaii, with the average home going for $834,582.
Hawaii
Beyond just its beauty, the chief reason for Hawaii’s expensiveness is the lack of space. Anyone who counts themself as a homeowner in Hawaii is amongst the luckiest people in America.
California
Naturally, the second most expensive place to live in America would be the Sunshine State, California. On average, homes go for $728,133 there.
California
Likely, the city driving up costs the most in California is San Francisco. That city is emblematic of how thriving tech economies often ramp up the cost of living to vast degrees.
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District Of Columbia
Despite being barely a state, the nation’s capital is amongst the country’s most expensive places to live, coming in at an average home cost of $627,158.
District Of Columbia
If you try to buy a home in Washington, DC, you’ll likely be competing with a bunch of politicians who take money from corporate lobbyists. Thus, they’ve maybe got more spending power for the expensive homes than you do.
Washington
Seattle was very much associated with youth and coolness in the 1980s and 90s, but the image has moved distinctly from grunge to Amazon. It’s not necessarily a place for a young person to move to and start a band, being among the most expensive cities in the country.
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Washington
Beyond just the world of technology, the state of Washington still does offer a large amount of scenery and nature to admire. Many homebuyers veering out of Seattle will find locations with wonderful mountain views.
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Massachusetts
Massachusetts remains a highly desirable state to live in, meaning the average home costs $558,312. It’s, to this day, considered the crown jewel of New England.
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Massachusetts
Of course the city of Boston and its suburb Cambridge, which hosts both Harvard University and The Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, make the state very enviable to live in. We imagine Boston Red Sox tickets match the real estate costs.
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Colorado
The Centennial State has a lot more to its image than just South Park and the Denver Broncos. Expect to pay around $539, 639 if you’re looking to purchase a home there.
Colorado
Colorado’s housing has become more expensive thanks to the booming tech economy in the state. It also helps that it remains one of the most beautiful looking parts of the United States to compliment all those indoor activities.
Utah
Go no further than The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City to see evidence of what a high-earning state Utah is. You’ll be likely putting down over half a million dollars on a house there.
Utah
Tourism is one of the largest industries of the state, due to the possibility for ski trips and the like. But Utah’s economy is also booming thanks to mining, agriculture, and technology. It’s competitive to live there.
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Oregon
Amongst the many scenic states of the Pacific Northwest is Oregon, which also homes hipster heaven Portland. But the state seems more and more centered towards the affluent, with very expensive average home costs.
Oregon
Beyond the cityscape of Portland is a number of smaller towns like Eugene and Salem, which offer cozy living that’s also nature-friendly.
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New Jersey
The Garden State may be considered by some to live in the shadow of New York, but it’s actually, on average, a more expensive place to live.
New Jersey
It’s not Rutherford or Newark that are the most expensive cities in the state, but actually Alpine, which has even drawn some celebrity residents in recent years.
Idaho
Idaho has long had the nickname of The Gem State. The high housing prices there certainly suggest a very brightly shining gem of sorts.
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Idaho
A strong economy has chiefly made Idaho a more and more expensive state over the years. Science and technology are finding a very comfortable home there.
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