These are the 10 cheapest states to buy a house in 2022—and Florida isn't one of them (2024)

In August, Homebuyer.com used the median household income and the median home price in each state to determine the most affordable states in the U.S. to buy a house in 2022.

The list ranked each state based on the average percent of income it takes to cover monthly mortgage costs — from lowest to highest.

No. 1 cheapest state to buy a house in 2022: Iowa

Median home price: $147, 800

Median household income: $79,500

Estimated monthly mortgage payment: $702

Percentage income to PMT: 10.6%

Iowa came in at the top of the list with the lowest average median household income it takes to be able to afford a house.

The largest housing markets in the Midwestern state include Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids.

Top 10 cheapest states to buy a house in 2022

  1. Iowa
  2. Indiana
  3. Ohio
  4. Nebraska
  5. Kansas
  6. Mississippi
  7. West Virginia
  8. Oklahoma
  9. Michigan
  10. Arkansas

Indiana is the runner-up, with a median home price of $141,700 and an estimated monthly mortgage payment of just over $670.

The biggest cities in the state include Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Bloomington. It also is home to major colleges like Purdue, Ball State, and Indiana University.

The state that rounded out the top three was another one in the Midwest: Ohio. The Buckeye state's median home price is $145,700, and an estimated monthly mortgage payment of $692.24.

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These are the 10 cheapest states to buy a house in 2022—and Florida isn't one of them (2024)

FAQs

These are the 10 cheapest states to buy a house in 2022—and Florida isn't one of them? ›

Alabama has one of the lowest median home values in the country, as well as some of the lowest healthcare and transportation costs. While the unemployment rate is still somewhat low at 2.9%, Alabama still has the highest percentage of people living below the poverty line in the US.

What US state has cheapest housing? ›

Alabama has one of the lowest median home values in the country, as well as some of the lowest healthcare and transportation costs. While the unemployment rate is still somewhat low at 2.9%, Alabama still has the highest percentage of people living below the poverty line in the US.

What 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

Why are houses in Florida so cheap? ›

Florida houses also tend to be smaller in size than other homes in different states. As these properties are smaller, median property prices will be lower as well. Additionally, houses for sale in Florida tend to be older homes. This factor contributes to the lower property prices as well.

What state is cheapest per square foot? ›

West Virginia is the cheapest state to buy a house in as it has the lowest median list prices for homes as well as the cheapest sales price per square foot. Property taxes in the state are also some of the lowest in America.

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 state gives you the most house for your 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

Where to buy cheap houses in USA? ›

10 Cheapest Housing Markets to Buy a House in the US
  • West Virginia. With a Zillow Home Value Index of $146,578, West Virginia is the most affordable state to buy a house in the US. ...
  • Mississippi. ...
  • Arkansas. ...
  • Louisiana. ...
  • Oklahoma. ...
  • Kentucky. ...
  • Iowa. ...
  • Ohio.
May 12, 2023

What states are moving to Florida? ›

States are ranked by the number of people that moved to Florida from the state in 2019. The 2019 National Movers Study found that the states with the most inbound moves were Vermont, Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, and South Carolina. Keep reading to find out which states are sending the most people to Florida.

Is it smart to buy a house in Florida? ›

Affordable property prices: Compared to other states like California, property prices in Florida are relatively affordable, which can make it an attractive option for real estate investors. This can lead to strong returns on investment and can make it easier for investors to purchase multiple properties.

Are house prices in Florida dropping? ›

The Florida housing market is experiencing a major shift. The median sale price increased by 3.2% in March 2023 year-on-year, and the number of homes sold dropped by 19.7%.

Which states cost the most to live in? ›

States With Highest Cost of Living

The ten states with the highest cost of living are Hawaii, Massachusetts, California, New York, Alaska, Maryland, Oregon, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Hawaii is the state with the highest cost of living in the US, with a cost of living index of 184.

What state in the US has the cheapest land? ›

10 of the Cheapest Places to Buy Land in the U.S.
  • Mohave County, Arizona. ...
  • Kanosh, Utah. ...
  • Valencia County, New Mexico. ...
  • Fort Hanco*ck, Texas. ...
  • Royalton, Kentucky. Photo: istockphoto.com. ...
  • Edwards, Missouri. Photo: istockphoto.com. ...
  • Sun Valley, Arizona. Photo: istockphoto.com. ...
  • Deming, New Mexico. Photo: istockphoto.com.
Feb 27, 2023

What's the best state to move to? ›

▲ Overall RankStateEconomy
1Wyoming1
2Vermont27
3South Dakota17
4New Hampshire10
18 more rows
Jan 12, 2023

What state has the least crime? ›

New Hampshire stands out as the safest state in America, with only 20 homicides recorded in the state. This makes it one of the most secure and peaceful places to live in the country. New Hampshire has a relatively low crime rate, with a lower number of property crimes and violent crimes per capita than most states.

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 state has the most unaffordable housing? ›

According to worldpopulationreview.com, Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, with its housing costing three times the national average. New York and California rank as the second and third most expensive states in which to live, respectively.

What's the cheapest place to live? ›

We based our list of the cheapest places to live on research from The Council for Community and Economic Research, Niche, among other sources.
  • Amarillo, Texas. ...
  • Meridian, Mississippi. ...
  • Tupelo, Mississippi. ...
  • Muskogee, Oklahoma. ...
  • Jackson, Mississippi. ...
  • Topeka, Kansas. ...
  • Richmond, Indiana. ...
  • Salina, Kansas.
Feb 16, 2023

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.

Which state has the best quality of life? ›

Massachusetts and Minnesota were the two states with the highest living standards in the U.S., according to the study.

What is the most successful state to live in? ›

First, here are the 10 most successful states:
  • New Hampshire.
  • Maryland.
  • Minnesota.
  • North Dakota.
  • Hawaii.
  • Wyoming.
  • Alaska.
  • Virginia.
Jul 18, 2016

What are the 5 best states to live in for climate change in the US? ›

These five states are the best prepared for climate change.
  • Minnesota. While it might be known for its cold winters, Minnesota is well-equipped to handle climate change. ...
  • Illinois. Like Minnesota, Illinois benefits from its regional placement. ...
  • Rhode Island. ...
  • Maine. ...
  • Wyoming. ...
  • California. ...
  • Florida. ...
  • Utah.
Jul 15, 2022

Where do most Floridians move to? ›

Where people in Florida are moving to most
  • #8. New York. ...
  • #7. Pennsylvania. ...
  • #6. Virginia. ...
  • #5. Tennessee. ...
  • #4. California. ...
  • #3. North Carolina. - Moved from Florida to North Carolina in 2019: 30,032. ...
  • #2. Texas. - Moved from Florida to Texas in 2019: 41,238. ...
  • #1. Georgia. - Moved from Florida to Georgia in 2019: 46,235.
Jul 6, 2022

Are people moving to Florida or leaving Florida? ›

From July 2021-July 2022, nearly 444,500 people moved to Florida, which compared to the previous year was a gain of 185,000, the largest year-over-year impact of residents moving. Florida also ranked #1 in domestic migration, #2 in international migration, and #1 with the most people moving in per day at 1,218.

Why are people moving out of Florida? ›

The other reasons that people leave the state after moving here are varied: “A nearly 14,000-member Facebook group for people moving out of Florida has cited severe weather, low wages, crowded beaches, changing politics, and steep housing prices as reasons people left.”

How much money should I save before buying a house in Florida? ›

Typically, mortgage lenders in Florida want you to contribute 20% of the purchase price as a down payment. That would be $81,398 for a $406,988 home — the typical home value in Florida. However, you have options to lower your down payment amount.

What is the average salary to buy a house in Florida? ›

The first factor that is used to determine how much house you can afford in Florida is your income. Generally, you should be able to afford no more than three times your annual salary on a house. So if you make $100,000 a year, you should look for houses that cost around $300,000.

What is the average mortgage payment in Florida? ›

The average monthly mortgage payment in Florida is $1,124. With the average Florida household earning $6,388, mortgage payments account for nearly 18% of Florida residents' monthly income.

Will home prices drop in 2024 Florida? ›

With mortgage rates declining faster than expected, home prices are likely to remain mostly flat throughout 2024.

Is home buying slowing down in Florida? ›

Maybe, maybe not. But the market forces of rising interest rates, from 3.8% to 5.34%, to 5.97%, to 7.81% finally hampered the buying power of homebuyers, slowing home sales. In Lee County from 2021 to 2022, single-family home sales dropped by 19.5%. Collier sales fell by 31% and Charlotte by 9.3%.

Are foreclosures increasing in Florida? ›

Additionally, Florida's foreclosure rate is a reported one in every 3,964 homes. SoFi said the number of foreclosures in the country had “drastically increased” through 2022 and that “with a total of 248,170 initiated, U.S. foreclosures rose a staggering 169 percent from the previous year.”

What are the cheap blue states to live in? ›

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. The researchers came to this conclusion by using features such as credit score, mortgage debt, paid family leave, and median income.

What is the #1 expensive state? ›

Most Expensive States in the US
#StateCost of Living Index
1Hawaii184
2District of Columbia152.2
3Massachusetts149.7
4California137.6
47 more rows

Where is the best place to homestead in the US? ›

10 Best States For Homesteading 2023
  1. Tennessee. Rural Tennessee is already a popular location for sustainable living enthusiasts, with a fantastic harvesting season of around 9 months of the year, there are low property taxes and costs.
  2. Idaho. ...
  3. Oregon. ...
  4. Maine. ...
  5. Michigan. ...
  6. Connecticut. ...
  7. Montana. ...
  8. Alaska. ...

Which state has the best land? ›

The best states for farmland in the US include Montana, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, North Dakota, Texas, Iowa, Kentucky, Wyoming, and California. Consider factors like profitability, cost of operation, infrastructure, and availability when selecting a location.

Where is the cheapest place to buy a farm? ›

Oklahoma. Oklahoma currently sits at the lowest cost per acre among the best states for farmland in the US, so this is another state to consider when looking to buy land for agricultural purposes.

Why is it cheaper to live in Florida? ›

No state income tax in Florida, cheaper real estate and the weather are the top reasons broker Melissa Cantway said people are still moving here.

Is it really cheap to live in Florida? ›

Shelter costs are a core component of inflation measurements, and with inflation so high recently, it's no shock that the Florida housing market tends to be high-priced. According to Rent.com's May 2023 Rent Report, the median rent in Orlando is $2,153, in Tampa it's $2,255 and in Miami it's a budget-busting $3,066.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Florida? ›

A good salary — one that allows for necessities, fun, and savings — might start at $60,000 for a single, childless renter in Florida and $75,000 for a similar homeowner.

Is Florida the less affordable place to live? ›

The coronavirus pandemic brought a new wave of people looking to become Floridians. That's one of the reasons why CBS News says Florida is now America's least affordable place to live. According to Realtor.com, the Miami area was the least affordable rental market in February.

What are the 6 reasons not to move to Florida? ›

Top 10 Reasons You Shouldn't Move to Florida
  • Florida is full of people. ...
  • There is a lot of traffic. ...
  • Home prices have risen significantly. ...
  • It's really hot and humid in the summer. ...
  • Florida has natural disasters like hurricanes. ...
  • It's home to many dangerous animals. ...
  • Florida has irritating insects.
Apr 3, 2023

What is the cheapest place to live in Florida? ›

Check out these five most affordable places to live in Florida!
  • Cape Coral.
  • Dunedin.
  • Fort Walton Beach.
  • Lakeland.
  • Vero Beach.
May 19, 2023

What is the best city to live in Florida? ›

Naples. This smaller metro area on the Gulf Coast is the No. 1 spot out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. for its low rates of property crime, violent crime and murder. Naples also ranks sixth for desirability, making it the most desirable Florida metro area for 2022-2023.

Where is the safest place to live in Florida? ›

The Top 10 Safest Cities in Florida
  • Tequesta.
  • Longboat Key.
  • Key Biscayne.
  • Sanibel.
  • Weston.
  • Indian Harbour Beach.
  • North Palm Beach.
  • Parkland.

Can you live on $15 an hour in Florida? ›

The current minimum wage in Florida is $8.56, slightly higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Economists estimate that Floridians need to earn at least $15.60 per hour to enjoy a living wage and comfortable lifestyle. This is an average salary of $32,448 per year.

What is a good hourly wage in Florida? ›

$11.87 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers. $23.94 is the 75th percentile.

How much is minimum wage in Florida? ›

With few exceptions, employers in these states must pay each employee a minimum of $7.25 per hour.

What is the cheapest but safest place to live in Florida? ›

Cape Coral

Known as the “Waterfront Wonderland,” this charming town is not only one of Florida's most affordable places but it is also one of the safest. Located in the southwestern part of the state near Fort Meyers, Cape Coral has an intricate system of canals which allow its residents to always be near the water.

What is the cheapest state in Florida? ›

10 Cheapest Places to Live in Florida in 2023
  • Jacksonville.
  • Cape Coral.
  • Gainesville.
  • Dade City.
  • Dunedin.
  • Kissimmee.
  • Bartow.
  • hom*osassa Springs.
May 1, 2023

Is it cheaper to live in Florida or Georgia? ›

Cost of living

Georgia has an overall score of 93.4, about 10% less than Florida's 102.8. This means that, on average, living in Georgia is slightly more affordable than living in Florida.

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