While the busy spring and summer real estate market may have increased median sale prices, there are plenty of U.S. cities where you can get a home for under $250,000.
If you want to get ahead financially by buying a home for less than $250K, maybe one of these cities is right for you.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, a humble gem along the coast of Lake Erie, boasts excellent restaurants and museums. Visitors (and potential residents) should check out the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
According to the real estate website Redfin, the median sale price for a home in Cleveland was $125,000 in June 2024.
Pro tip: If you choose to visit any of these cities, consider booking your trip with a travel credit card to earn points and miles.
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city of over 200,000 located on the Alabama border. Like many housing markets, it has seen a slow and steady increase over the last several years.
According to Redfin, the median home price in the river city reached $235,000 in June, an increase of 11.7% from the same time a year earlier.
Birmingham, Alabama
The historic city of Birmingham has also seen a decrease in home prices, with the median sale price dropping 1.6% since the same time last year.
Buyers can expect to pay around $211,000, which is the median sale price according to Redfin as of Jun 2024.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1
How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit can be a great hometown if you want to live near water or in a city on the upswing with plenty of new restaurants and cool nightlife.
The median home sale price in the city is well under $250,000 at $85,000 in June, which is easily affordable for some buyers. Prices, however, will be higher as you move to more popular neighborhoods in the city.
Because it’s a rebuilding city, know that you may have to consider rehabbing a home.
Rochester, New York
Upstate New York is where you’ll find Rochester, which sits on the shore of Lake Ontario and is the home of the Rochester Institute of Technology. Rochester is also the headquarters for Xerox, Wegmans, and Paychex.
The average price of a home in Rochester was $162,900 in June. Rochester is a good option if you want to live in a less expensive area of New York State.
Trending Stories
Baltimore, Maryland
The home of the Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens is also home to affordable housing.
Redfin placed the median home sale price in Baltimore at $240,000 in June 2024, which is up 4.3% since the same time last year.
Memphis, Tennessee
The home of Elvis Presley could also be the next place you call home.
While you may not be able to buy Graceland, you could buy a home in Memphis for a median sale price of $190,000 in June. That represents a 7.3% decrease in price compared to a year earlier.
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, the state capital of Illinois, has experienced many ups and downs in the housing market over the last several years.
Depending on what you’re looking for, you can find a decent two- to three-bedroom home for $183,000, a 4.3% jump from the previous year.
Des Moines, Iowa
Looking for a good Midwestern town to buy a house? Consider Des Moines.
The capital of Iowa had a median sale price of $216,500 in February, which is well under those looking within the $250,000 range.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Lubbock, Texas
This small town in West Texas near the New Mexico border may seem like it's in the middle of nowhere, but it boasts easy access to an international airport and is home to Texas Tech University.
The city's median sale price was $230,000 in June, a 5% drop from the same time a year earlier.
Wichita, Kansas
Another great Midwest city to consider is Wichita, the largest city in Kansas.
You could find a home there for a median sale price of $225,800 in June, marking a 4.5% decrease compared to a year earlier.
Bottom line
Finding the right mortgage lender is a crucial first step to securing your dream home.
A knowledgeable lender can guide you through the process, explain your options, and ensure you won't need help paying your mortgage every month.
This will put you in a strong position to move forward with confidence, knowing you have the financial security to manage your new homeownership journey.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.