The 10 Cheapest States To Buy A House (2024)

There are plenty of ways to save money besides moving to a cheaper state to purchase your new home. Below are some tips and advice to follow from professional real estate experts and investors to help you leave more cash in your pocket.

If your budget allows, choose the better neighborhood

Better homes in highly desirable locations tend to appreciate faster and also hold their value when the market turns.5 Once you’ve settled on your ideal state, research the best neighborhoods with factors like educational systems, crime rates and average home value. This will help you narrow down your list of possible areas to investigate when searching for your new home.

Buying smaller may be better in the long run

When buying a home for yourself, buying a smaller, cheaper house in your ideal neighborhood will help you avoid extra taxes and utility costs that would come from a larger house, netting you a lower cost of living in the long run.6

Buying cheap vs. expensive will depend on what you’re looking for

Property is currently appreciating across the board, but how quickly and how much your property appreciates might depend on what you’ve put into it. For instance, more expensive homes may already have had the finishing touches completed, which doesn’t leave much room for implementing more home improvements.

Meanwhile, a cheaper home may require the buyer to put extra money into repairs and renovations, but the profit to be made on those renovations may be greater and may generate a quicker appreciation of the property. Whether to buy lower or aim higher depends on each buyer and what they’re hoping to get out of a home purchase.7

To keep more coins in your piggy bank, check out the infographic below for more money-saving tips.

The 10 Cheapest States To Buy A House (1)

If you’re ready to purchase a new home, be sure to check out your options before securing a home loan. See what today’s rates are and let us help you find the perfect fit for your homeownership journey.

The 10 Cheapest States To Buy A House (2024)

FAQs

The 10 Cheapest States To Buy A House? ›

Mississippi

It also has one of the lowest average housing costs in the US and the lowest average transportation costs. On the downside, Mississippi suffers the highest poverty rate in the US, with a poor healthcare system and quality of education.

What US state has the cheapest housing? ›

Mississippi

It also has one of the lowest average housing costs in the US and the lowest average transportation costs. On the downside, Mississippi suffers the highest poverty rate in the US, with a poor healthcare system and quality of education.

Where is the cheapest place to buy a house in the states? ›

That said, the cheapest states to buy real estate in are often those experiencing economic or population declines. Rust Belt states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana all have markets with affordable housing, as do many Southern states, like Alabama and Mississippi.

What is the 10th cheapest state to live in? ›

Indiana is the tenth-cheapest state to live in the United States. Average costs are 10% lower than the national average, and costs in all categories are below the national average.

What state has the cheapest houses 2023? ›

Mississippi

Mississippi, “The Magnolia State,” is the birthplace of Elvis Presley and the delta blues. It's also the cheapest state to buy a house in 2023. As of 2020, the total state population was 2,961,279, making it the 32nd most populated state. The most populated city is Jackson, with 153,701 residents.

What is the cheapest and safest state to live in? ›

Take a look at the 10 cheapest states to live in for 2022.
  1. Mississippi. Coming in as the cheapest state to live in in the United States is Mississippi with a cost of living index score of 83.3. ...
  2. Kansas. ...
  3. Alabama. ...
  4. Oklahoma. ...
  5. Georgia. ...
  6. Tennessee. ...
  7. Missouri. ...
  8. Iowa.
Mar 31, 2023

What city has the lowest cost of living? ›

In its report, Niche also ranked the cheapest places to live in the U.S. At the top of the list this year is Brownsville, Texas. Brownsville has been steadily rising in Niche's Lowest Cost of Living ranking over the past few years, placing number six in 2021, number three in 2022 and finally, number one in 2023.

Which state is best to buy a house? ›

10 best states for first-time homebuyers plus key factors
RankState1-year home price change: 2021–2022
1Pennsylvania4.1%
2North Carolina10.1%
3Utah5.8%
4Kentucky7.2%
6 more rows
Mar 2, 2023

Where to buy cheap homes in United States? ›

  • 15 States With The Cheapest Real Estate In The US. Like we see with the 30% rule, true affordability isn't just about which houses cost the least amount of money to buy. ...
  • Indiana. Population. ...
  • Iowa. Population. ...
  • Utah. Population. ...
  • Minnesota. Population. ...
  • West Virginia. Population. ...
  • Ohio. Population. ...
  • Michigan. Population.

What state in the U.S. has the cheapest land? ›

Arkansas. Arkansas is home to some of the lowest-priced lands in the country, with an average price of just $1,071 per acre. This is significantly cheaper than the national average of $7,000 per acre.

What state has the worst cost of living? ›

Hawaii is the state with the highest cost of living in the US, with a cost of living index of 184. The state's high cost of living is mainly due to the high cost of housing, which is among the highest in the nation.

What is the cheapest state to live in by yourself? ›

Albuquerque, New Mexico, ranks as the most affordable city in the country for single renters. Studio apartments in Albuquerque go for a median price of $700, and the average single person would only need to spend 15.33% of their income to afford one.

What is the most expensive state? ›

According to several studies on cost of living, Hawaii is the most expensive U.S. state to live in. Prices are typically double in Hawaii compared to those on the mainland, and the continued rise in inflation is making costs ranging from housing to health care much more expensive.

Where can I get the most house for my money? ›

Buying a home in these 7 states gives you the most bang for your...
  1. Indiana.
  2. Mississippi. ...
  3. Arkansas. ...
  4. Ohio. ...
  5. West Virginia. ...
  6. Alabama. Alabama's median home price of $92 per square foot translates into a 3,256-square-foot home for $300,000. ...
  7. Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, $300,000 will buy you a 3,175-square foot home, on average. ...
Jun 29, 2017

What are the cheapest blue states? ›

Regarding affordability, the report indicates that Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey are the most affordable states with Arizona, Nevada, and Florida being the least affordable.

What is the most expensive state to live in 2023? ›

Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, with a cost of living index of 184. Massachusetts is ranked second, with a cost of living index of 149.7, followed by California at 137.6, and New York at 134.5.

What is the number 1 safest state to live in? ›

Story at a glance
State/rankViolent crime rateProperty crime rate
1. Maine109 per 100K residents1,156 per 100K residents
2. New Hampshire146 per 100K residents1,099 per 100K residents
3. New Jersey195 per 100K residents1,158 per 100K residents
4. Vermont173 per 100K residents1,217 per 100K residents
6 more rows
May 7, 2023

What's the best state to move to? ›

Download Table Data
StateOverall RankCrime
Washington119
Minnesota215
Utah38
New Hampshire41
21 more rows

What is the best state to save money in? ›

North Dakota takes the cake as the best state in the U.S. to save money in. With the third lowest debt-to-income ratio in the country for Q3 2022—and the second lowest percentage of income spent on housing costs and rent—North Dakotans are able to keep more money in their pockets.

What is the cheapest city in America? ›

1. Albuquerque, NM. At $700 median rent per month, and a rent cost 15.3 percent of one's income, Albuquerque is the cheapest place to live in America. One of the best things about New Mexico is the sunsets, and this city is no exception.

How to live cheaply? ›

Here are 15 frugal tips to look like you're living large without overspending.
  1. Eliminate monthly subscriptions.
  2. Shop for new insurance.
  3. Reduce prescription costs.
  4. Buy used items.
  5. Rent, don't own.
  6. Purchase at the right time.
  7. Buy high-quality products.
  8. Enlist your friends.

What U.S city has the highest cost of living? ›

1. Manhattan, New York
  • Overall cost of living: 127.7% above U.S. average.
  • Median household income: $70,663.
  • Average home price: $2,434,977.
  • Average monthly rent: $4,569.
  • Unemployment rate: 4.3%
  • Poverty rate: 17%
  • Cost of a half-gallon of milk: $3.04.
Feb 3, 2023

Where is the best place to buy house in USA? ›

Top 10 Places To Buy A House In The U.S.
  • Tampa, Florida. Tampa, Florida, makes the top of our list for several reasons. ...
  • Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta, Georgia, has a lot in common with Tampa Bay. ...
  • Jacksonville, Florida. ...
  • Austin, Texas. ...
  • Raleigh, North Carolina. ...
  • Charlotte, North Carolina. ...
  • San Antonio, Texas. ...
  • Dallas, Texas.

What is the best state in 2023? ›

The latest edition of the Best States rankings project finds a new No. 1 and a strong showing from the West and Midwest in the top 10. Utah has taken the No.

What is the cheapest house to build? ›

Ranch Homes

A home with a simple and concise layout is the cheapest type of house to build. Ranch homes are typically single-story structures with attached garages. They're easy to find construction plans for and highly customizable, so you can find a home that fits your needs and budget.

What state has the most expensive houses? ›

1. Hawaii. Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches, warm climate, and breathtaking scenery. However, it is also the most expensive state to buy a house, with a Zillow Home Value Index of $834,582.

Is Texas a cheap state to live in? ›

Texas is actually one of the more affordable states in the country. Compared to national averages, living expenses here tend to be cheaper — though how much cheaper varies based on where you choose to live in the state.

What state is it easiest to live off the land? ›

Montana is a great state for homesteaders looking for wide-open spaces and plenty of natural resources. With its diverse climate and terrain, it's easy to find the perfect spot to start a homestead. Those looking to do off grid living in Montana can also benefit from the state's low cost of living and low taxes.

What state is the best to live off the land? ›

“Alaska is the best state to settle in if you want complete isolation and don't mind the long winter months. The upside is that the land is cheap, but you'll pay for it with a short growing season. Another benefit is that Alaska has the lowest taxes in the United States.

Which county has the cheapest land? ›

Mohave County AZ

So for both 1 acre and 5 acre plots, the cheapest states to buy land in 2023 are New Mexico, Arizona, Mississippi, followed by Colorado and California. Some great news for you here is that at Compass Land USA, we do a lot of work in Colorado, and Arizona.

Who has the highest cost of living? ›

View the full city ranking
RankCityLocation
Rank 1City Hong KongLocation Hong Kong (SAR)
Rank 2City SingaporeLocation Singapore
Rank 3City ZurichLocation Switzerland
Rank 4City GenevaLocation Switzerland
27 more rows

Where is the highest cost of living in the world? ›

1. Singapore. Rent in Singapore is $3,016.21 per month, but its cost-of-living is only slightly more than 14% higher than the U.S. average.

Is Florida expensive place to live? ›

Is it expensive to live in Florida? Though the state has long had a reputation for being an inexpensive place to live, housing costs are high. Rents and sale prices are both well above national averages. However, the overall cost of living in the state is about on par with the national average.

Where is the best place to live alone? ›

The Highest-Ranked Cities to Live Alone in the U.S.

Our overall winner was Milwaukee, WI, with our runner ups being Cleveland, OH and St. Louis, MO.

Is South Carolina cheap to live? ›

SC has 2 of the best, cheapest cities in the US to live in 2023, US News and World Report says.

Is it cheaper to live alone? ›

Ultimately, living solo is a more expensive choice, so if saving money is a huge priority for you, you may want to live with roommates for a year or two until you're more financially stable. However, if you're committed to living alone, there are ways you can do it without breaking the bank completely.

What state has the most expensive food? ›

The state with the most expensive groceries in the US is Hawaii. This might not be surprising, given that Hawaii needs to import most of the foods you'd find in an American supermarket from a pretty long distance.

What are the top five most expensive states in the United States? ›

The Most Expensive States in 2023
  • Hawaii. Tops on the list lands Hawaii, with a COL index of 193.3. ...
  • New York. Considering high COL areas tend to be states with dense population centers, New York's entry on this list shouldn't be too much of a surprise. ...
  • California. ...
  • Massachusetts. ...
  • Oregon.
Jan 24, 2023

What are the 10 most expensive states to live in in the United States? ›

10 Most Expensive States To Live In
  • New Hampshire. State Cost of Living Index: 114.7. ...
  • Connecticut. State Cost of Living Index: 115.4. ...
  • Vermont. State Cost of Living Index: 116.4. ...
  • Oregon. State Cost of Living Index: 122.2. ...
  • Maryland. State Cost of Living Index: 124.1. ...
  • Alaska. State Cost of Living Index: 125.5. ...
  • New York. ...
  • 3. California.
May 27, 2023

What gives a house the most value? ›

Home Improvements That Add Value
  • Kitchen Improvements. If adding value to your home is the goal, the kitchen is likely the place to start. ...
  • Bathrooms Improvements. Updated bathrooms are key for adding value to your home. ...
  • Lighting Improvements. ...
  • Energy Efficiency Improvements. ...
  • Curb Appeal Improvements.
Mar 24, 2020

What house can I buy on $100 K? ›

Your budget and financial situation will determine how much you can afford on a 100k salary, but in most cases, you'll likely qualify for a home worth between $350,000 to $500,000.

What property makes the most money? ›

What Types of Commercial Properties Are the Most Profitable? High-Tenant Properties – Typically, properties with a high number of tenants will give the best return on investment. These properties include RVs, self-storage, apartment complexes, and office spaces.

What are the most liberal states? ›

The most liberal state in the country is Massachusetts, where the equally progressive city of Boston is located. Next is Hawaii, followed by Rhode Island, California, New York, Vermont, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Oregon.

Is Texas one of the cheapest states? ›

Texas. Texas isn't just one of the largest states in the United States and one of the few states without state income taxes, Texas is actually also one of the more affordable states given its 2022 Second Quarter Cost of Living Index of 90.9.

Is North Carolina a red state? ›

In the three presidential elections since 2008, Indiana and North Carolina went back to supporting Republicans. Virginia has continued voting for the Democratic presidential nominees (as well as increasingly electing Democrats at the state level), leading to its being reclassified as a blue state in recent years.

Where is everyone moving to in 2023? ›

Based on migration data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans are moving to Austin, Texas; Raleigh, North Carolina; Orlando, Florida; Dallas, Texas; and Phoenix, Arizona. The most moved-to cities are based on percentage increases in population since 2010.

What is the cheapest state to retire in 2023? ›

Rather, Alabama is the most affordable state to retire in, according to WalletHub's “2023 Best States to Retire.” The analysis compared all 50 states across three key categories: health care, quality of life and affordability.

What is the number 1 most expensive state in the US? ›

1. Hawaii. Hawaii is truly a paradise, but it is also the most expensive state in America to live in. The cost of living in Hawaii overall is 86% higher than the national average, and the cost of housing in Hawaii is a jaw-dropping 207% above the national average.

What state has the best income to cost of living ratio? ›

Mississippi is the state with the lowest cost of living in the US, with a cost of living index of 85. This means that the cost of living in Mississippi is 15% lower than the national average. The state has a low cost of housing, groceries, and utilities.

What state in the US has the cheapest land? ›

Arkansas. Arkansas is home to some of the lowest-priced lands in the country, with an average price of just $1,071 per acre. This is significantly cheaper than the national average of $7,000 per acre.

Is Texas the cheapest state to live in? ›

Is Texas expensive to live in? No, Texas is veyr affordable relative to other states in the U.S. In fact, the average cost of living there is 8% lower than the national average, according to a Cost of Living Index.

What state has the highest housing cost? ›

Hawaii. Hawaii is truly a paradise, but it is also the most expensive state in America to live in. The cost of living in Hawaii overall is 86% higher than the national average, and the cost of housing in Hawaii is a jaw-dropping 207% above the national average.

What state has the best quality of life to live? ›

Washington state has the highest quality of life in all 50 states. The state has no income tax, a thriving job market, and great international business opportunities.

Which states take the most out of your paycheck? ›

5 States that Will Take the Most of Your Paycheck in Income Taxes
  • California. Top tax rate: 13.3 percent. ...
  • Oregon. Middle class tax rate: 9 percent. ...
  • Hawaii. Top tax rate: 11 percent. ...
  • Maine. Middle class tax rate: 8.5 percent. ...
  • Oregon. Top tax rate: 9.9 percent. ...
  • Idaho. Middle class tax rate: 7.8 percent. ...
  • Iowa. ...
  • Hawaii.

What state has the most low income? ›

Mississippi

What state sells the cheapest acres? ›

Introduction
#StateMedian Price per Acre
1Rhode Island$350,374
2Massachusetts$333,250
3Connecticut$282,925
4New Jersey$242,883
46 more rows

What part of Texas has the cheapest houses? ›

  • Breckenridge. The cheapest place to live in Texas is Breckenridge. ...
  • Beaumont. The second cheapest city in Texas is Beaumont. ...
  • Wichita Falls. Located in north-central Texas, Wichita Falls is a cheap destination for nature lovers. ...
  • Harlingen. ...
  • Texarkana. ...
  • Abilene. ...
  • Amarillo. ...
  • Odessa.
Jan 10, 2023

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Texas? ›

With that in mind, a good salary in Texas is between $55K and $73K. To live comfortably anywhere, it helps to track your spending and saving with SoFi Insights. The free budget app also provides credit score monitoring.

What is the safest place to live in Texas? ›

Chapters
CityPopulationUpHomes Safety Rank
Prosper28,8251
Flower Mound75,0502
Leander57,6963
Wylie55,4264
11 more rows
May 23, 2023

What 3 states have the highest cost of living? ›

Let's look at what the data is saying about the highest cost of living states, according to World Population Review.
  • Hawaii. Tops on the list lands Hawaii, with a COL index of 193.3. ...
  • New York. ...
  • California. ...
  • Massachusetts. ...
  • Oregon.
Jan 24, 2023

What city in the US has the most affordable housing? ›

Here's a look at the most affordable major cities in the country for housing.
  • Kansas City, Missouri.
  • Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  • Louisville, Kentucky.
  • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  • Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • Tucson, Arizona.
Jan 12, 2023

Is it expensive to live in Tennessee? ›

The cost of living in Tennessee is 10% lower than the national average. Housing is 20% lower than the national average, while utilities are 6% lower. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 6% lower than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs 6% lower.

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