Sep 29, 2026

50 Best Cities in America With Affordable Housing

A new MoneyLion ranking of the best cities for affordable housing found that nearly half of America’s 50 best cities are on the East Coast. An impressive 23 cities on the Atlantic Seaboard received honors with Lynchburg, Virginia, and Dundalk, Maryland, taking top spots for being more reasonably priced than other areas of their respective states.

To find these cities, MoneyLion researchers first sourced the average home value for each city and state. Qualifying cities for this study were required to have at least a 10% lower average home value compared to other areas of the state. All cities with a total population below 50,000 were removed as were any locations where the livability index was 79 or lower (to isolate just those places with the best quality of life).

Learn More: 27 States With the Fastest-Growing Suburbs in America

For You: Start Growing Your Net Worth With Smarter Tracking

Additional factors analyzed include average monthly expenditure cost and the total annual cost of living. To rank the best places, we scored and weighted each city’s livability index at 1.00 and the percentage difference between city and state average home value at 1.00.

Key Findings

Lynchburg, Virginia, is the best city in America with affordable housing. Boasting a 91 livability score, the highest of any city in the ranking, the average home value difference in Lynchburg compared to the state of Virginia is -37.1%.
There’s a 40%+ difference between average home values in five ranking cities versus their respective states. Youngstown, Ohio, which ranked third in the top 50, has a whopping -72% difference (the average home value is $71,237 in Youngstown compared to $254,148 in the state of Ohio). The other four cities with the highest difference include Dundalk, Maryland (-49.8%); Akron, Ohio (-45%); Springfield, Illinois (-42.1%); and Muncie, Indiana (-40.2%).
Florida narrowly surpassed Washington state with the most cities to appear in the ranking. The seven ranking Florida cities are Tallahassee (#7), Pensacola (#8), Jacksonville (#13), Gainesville (#19), Fort Myers (#26), Port Orange (#39) and Daytona Beach (#48).
East Coast cities made up nearly half of the top 50 with 23 ranking cities. The cities and ranks are as follows: Lynchburg, Virginia (#1); Dundalk, Maryland (#2); Scranton, Pennsylvania (#5); Tallahassee, Florida (#7); Pensacola, Florida (#8); Jacksonville, Florida (#13); Gainesville, Florida (#19); Erie, Pennsylvania (#21); Pittsburgh (#23); Cranston, Rhode Island (#24); Meriden, Connecticut (#25); Fort Myers, Florida (#26); Harrisonburg, Virginia (#28); Greensboro, North Carolina (#31); Worcester, Massachusetts (#34); Richmond, Virginia (#35); Norfolk, Virginia (#37); Port Orange, Florida (#39); Providence, Rhode Island (#44); Toms River, New Jersey (#46); Lowell, Massachusetts (#47); Daytona Beach, Florida (#48); and West Haven, Connecticut (#50).

Keep scrolling to see which 50 U.S. cities are considered the best places with the most affordable housing.

1. Lynchburg, Virginia

Average home value (city): $268,385
Difference from state average home value (%): -37.1%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,908
Total cost of living annually: $41,620
Livability score: 91

2. Dundalk, Maryland

Average home value (city): $225,585
Difference from state average home value (%): -49.8%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,094
Total cost of living annually: $40,868
Livability score: 85

3. Youngstown, Ohio

Average home value (city): $71,237
Difference from state average home value (%): -72%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,789
Total cost of living annually: $26,443
Livability score: 81

4. Logan, Utah

Average home value (city): $401,836
Difference from state average home value (%): -27.1%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,898
Total cost of living annually: $50,810
Livability score: 88

5. Scranton, Pennsylvania

Average home value (city): $194,807
Difference from state average home value (%): -33%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,962
Total cost of living annually: $37,132
Livability score: 85

6. Spokane Valley, Washington

Average home value (city): $420,797
Difference from state average home value (%): -31.7%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,865
Total cost of living annually: $51,736
Livability score: 85

7. Tallahassee, Florida

Average home value (city): $307,409
Difference from state average home value (%): -23.1%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,018
Total cost of living annually: $45,661
Livability score: 85

8. Pensacola, Florida

Average home value (city): $263,369
Difference from state average home value (%): -34.1%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,982
Total cost of living annually: $42,153
Livability score: 83

9. Akron, Ohio

Average home value (city): $139,722
Difference from state average home value (%): -45%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,818
Total cost of living annually: $31,565
Livability score: 81

10. Pocatello, Idaho

Average home value (city): $346,505
Difference from state average home value (%): -28.1%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,853
Total cost of living annually: $46,413
Livability score: 84

11. Idaho Falls, Idaho

Average home value (city): $400,976
Difference from state average home value (%): -16.8%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,854
Total cost of living annually: $50,218
Livability score: 86

12. Springfield, Illinois

Average home value (city): $176,510
Difference from state average home value (%): -42.1%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,937
Total cost of living annually: $35,560
Livability score: 81

13. Jacksonville, Florida

Average home value (city): $298,974
Difference from state average home value (%): -25.2%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,066
Total cost of living annually: $45,644
Livability score: 84

14. Muncie, Indiana

Average home value (city): $156,745
Difference from state average home value (%): -40.2%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,792
Total cost of living annually: $32,440
Livability score: 81

15. St. Cloud, Minnesota

Average home value (city): $262,061
Difference from state average home value (%): -27.9%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,811
Total cost of living annually: $40,009
Livability score: 83

16. Appleton, Wisconsin

Average home value (city): $311,163
Difference from state average home value (%): -10.7%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,871
Total cost of living annually: $44,162
Livability score: 86

17. Normal, Illinois

Average home value (city): $272,591
Difference from state average home value (%): -10.5%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,944
Total cost of living annually: $42,350
Livability score: 86

18. Ogden, Utah

Average home value (city): $407,730
Difference from state average home value (%): -26.1%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,923
Total cost of living annually: $51,526
Livability score: 83

19. Gainesville, Florida

Average home value (city): $320,245
Difference from state average home value (%): -19.9%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,006
Total cost of living annually: $46,417
Livability score: 84

20. Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Average home value (city): $263,142
Difference from state average home value (%): -24.5%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,843
Total cost of living annually: $40,477
Livability score: 83

21. Erie, Pennsylvania

Average home value (city): $205,848
Difference from state average home value (%): -29.2%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,865
Total cost of living annually: $36,738
Livability score: 82

22. Spokane, Washington

Average home value (city): $405,505
Difference from state average home value (%): -34.1%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,855
Total cost of living annually: $50,552
Livability score: 81

23. Pittsburgh

Average home value (city): $240,787
Difference from state average home value (%): -17.2%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,057
Total cost of living annually: $41,487
Livability score: 84

24. Cranston, Rhode Island

Average home value (city): $467,542
Difference from state average home value (%): -11.4%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,115
Total cost of living annually: $57,998
Livability score: 85

25. Meriden, Connecticut

Average home value (city): $348,826
Difference from state average home value (%): -27.8%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,202
Total cost of living annually: $50,764
Livability score: 82

26. Fort Myers, Florida

Average home value (city): $356,182
Difference from state average home value (%): -10.9%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,092
Total cost of living annually: $49,951
Livability score: 85

27. Lacey, Washington

Average home value (city): $517,744
Difference from state average home value (%): -15.9%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,930
Total cost of living annually: $59,275
Livability score: 84

28. Harrisonburg, Virginia

Average home value (city): $363,327
Difference from state average home value (%): -14.8%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,880
Total cost of living annually: $47,908
Livability score: 84

29. Pasco, Washington

Average home value (city): $421,631
Difference from state average home value (%): -31.5%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,824
Total cost of living annually: $51,297
Livability score: 81

30. Waterloo, Iowa

Average home value (city): $155,497
Difference from state average home value (%): -36.5%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,810
Total cost of living annually: $32,570
Livability score: 80

31. Greensboro, North Carolina

Average home value (city): $275,294
Difference from state average home value (%): -19.2%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,848
Total cost of living annually: $41,384
Livability score: 83

32. Champaign, Illinois

Average home value (city): $248,909
Difference from state average home value (%): -18.3%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,930
Total cost of living annually: $40,519
Livability score: 83

33. Olympia, Washington

Average home value (city): $540,608
Difference from state average home value (%): -12.2%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,883
Total cost of living annually: $60,307
Livability score: 84

34. Worcester, Massachusetts

Average home value (city): $458,620
Difference from state average home value (%): -33.9%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,091
Total cost of living annually: $57,089
Livability score: 80

35. Richmond, Virginia

Average home value (city): $381,523
Difference from state average home value (%): -10.5%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,974
Total cost of living annually: $50,304
Livability score: 84

36. Independence, Missouri

Average home value (city): $215,515
Difference from state average home value (%): -20.7%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,004
Total cost of living annually: $39,088
Livability score: 82

37. Norfolk, Virginia

Average home value (city): $317,894
Difference from state average home value (%): -25.4%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,964
Total cost of living annually: $45,744
Livability score: 81

38. Des Moines, Iowa

Average home value (city): $213,087
Difference from state average home value (%): -13%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,873
Total cost of living annually: $37,340
Livability score: 83

39. Port Orange, Florida

Average home value (city): $348,082
Difference from state average home value (%): -13%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,993
Total cost of living annually: $48,200
Livability score: 83

Top Bank Accounts Worth Opening in 2026

Unlock Better Banking

40. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Average home value (city): $221,447
Difference from state average home value (%): -12.9%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,832
Total cost of living annually: $37,438
Livability score: 83

41. Springfield, Oregon

Average home value (city): $423,106
Difference from state average home value (%): -17.1%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,922
Total cost of living annually: $52,577
Livability score: 82

42. Kenosha, Wisconsin

Average home value (city): $290,321
Difference from state average home value (%): -16.6%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,972
Total cost of living annually: $43,916
Livability score: 82

43. Vancouver, Washington

Average home value (city): $516,038
Difference from state average home value (%): -16.2%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,074
Total cost of living annually: $60,886
Livability score: 82

44. Providence, Rhode Island

Average home value (city): $444,095
Difference from state average home value (%): -15.8%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,139
Total cost of living annually: $56,653
Livability score: 82

45. El Paso, Texas

Average home value (city): $238,790
Difference from state average home value (%): -21.3%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,916
Total cost of living annually: $39,649
Livability score: 81

46. Toms River, New Jersey

Average home value (city): $476,192
Difference from state average home value (%): -21.2%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,070
Total cost of living annually: $58,059
Livability score: 81

47. Lowell, Massachusetts

Average home value (city): $547,187
Difference from state average home value (%): -21.2%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,144
Total cost of living annually: $63,904
Livability score: 81

48. Daytona Beach, Florida

Average home value (city): $297,735
Difference from state average home value (%): -25.5%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $1,963
Total cost of living annually: $44,327
Livability score: 80

49. St. Paul, Minnesota

Average home value (city): $307,339
Difference from state average home value (%): 15.4%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,009
Total cost of living annually: $45,552
Livability score: 81

50. West Haven, Connecticut

Average home value (city): $384,179
Difference from state average home value (%): -20.5%
Average monthly expenditure cost: $2,355
Total cost of living annually: $55,065
Livability score: 80

Methodology: For this study, MoneyLion analyzed cities across the United States to find the best cities with affordable housing. Using Zillow Home Value Index for July 2026, the average single family home value was sourced for cities and states. The dollar and percentage difference between the average single family home value in the city compared to the state it resides in. To qualify for this study, the city had to have at least a 10% lower average single family home value. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes and any location with a 79 or lower were removed for this study. For each remaining location a number of factors were sourced from the U.S. Census 2024 5-Year ACS including total population, population ages 65+, population 16+, population 18+, population 21+, median age, unemployment rate for the civilian labor force ages 16+, population 16+ in the labor force, population 16+ employed, population 16+ unemployed, total households, median household income, mean household income, households with Social Security, mean Social Security for households that receive it, households with retirement income, and mean retirement income for households that receive it. Cities with a total population below 50,000 were removed for this study. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling's BestPlaces for each city and using the national average expenditure costs, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure costs were calculated for each city. Using the average single family home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.71% as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage was calculated for each city. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living for necessities was calculated for each city. The livability index was scored and weighted at 1.00. The percentage difference between the average city single family home value the average state single family home value was scored and weighted at 1.00. The scores were summed and sorted to show the best cities with affordable housing. All data is up to date as of Sept. 11, 2026.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

More From MoneyLion:

Written by

Heather Taylor

Edited by

Angela Corry