Oct 12, 2026

17 Southern Cities Where a $200K Home Is Still Within Reach

The Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) reported the average U.S. home sold for $502,700 in Q2 2026. Now, compare this with the median annual household income of full-time workers, which is $65,052, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

When you look at it that way, it’s no surprise that homeownership feels like an impossible dream for so many people. The truth of the matter is that there are still affordable homes, many of which are in the Southern states.

Consider These: 10 States Where $80K Gives an Upper-Middle-Class Lifestyle

Find Out: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires — and How You Can, Too

Recently, the U.S. News & World Report posted its top places to live in the country. The report factored in things like overall quality of life and desirability, as well as the job market in each city.

The following are the best Southern cities where you can buy a home for $200,000 or less, ranked below by price.

1. Weirton, West Virginia

Median home value: $124,681
Median household income: $58,341
Population: 18,314
Ranking (best places to live): 142/250

2. Pharr, Texas

Median home value: $138,152
Median household income: $53,156
Population: 81,513
Ranking (best places to live): 130/250

3. Enid, Oklahoma

Median home value: $151,830
Median household income: $64,163
Population: 50,560
Ranking (best places to live): 64/250

4. Brownsville, Texas

Median home value: $152,932
Median household income: $52,151
Population: 186,263
Ranking (best places to live): 123/250

5. Harlingen, Texas

Median home value: $155,400
Median household income: $56,271
Population: 72,886
Ranking (best places to live): 120/250

6. Montgomery, Alabama

Median home value: $163,195
Median household income: $58,028
Population: 196,450
Ranking (best places to live): 200/250

7. Wichita Falls, Texas

Median home value: $170,194
Median household income: $61,366
Population: 103,458
Ranking (best places to live): 77/250

8. Eagle Pass, Texas

Median home value: $185,757
Median household income: $59,054
Population: 28,815
Ranking (best places to live): 129/250

9. Mission, Texas

Median home value: $186,063
Median household income: $64,502
Population: 89,975
Ranking (best places to live): 53/250

10. Edinburg, Texas

Median home value: $188,759
Median household income: $59,621
Population: 107,859
Ranking (best places to live): 73/250

11. Abilene, Texas

Median home value: $191,082
Median household income: $64,437
Population: 129,318
Ranking (best places to live): 96/250

12. San Angelo, Texas

Median home value: $191,261
Median household income: $65,827
Population: 99,192
Ranking (best places to live): 125/250

13. McAllen, Texas

Median home value: $192,309
Median household income: $63,159
Population: 145,364
Ranking (best places to live): 27/250

14. Charleston, West Virginia

Median home value: $193,226
Median household income: $64,144
Population: 48,334
Ranking (best places to live): 239/250

15. Dothan, Alabama

Median home value: $193,914
Median household income: $58,284
Population: 71,015
Ranking (best places to live): 101/250

16. El Paso, Texas

Median home value: $196,914
Median household income: $60,467
Population: 664,801
Ranking (best places to live): 68/250

17. Fort Smith, Arkansas

Median home value: $199,968
Median household income: $55,754
Population: 90,741
Ranking (best places to live): 238/250

Other Southern Cities Worth Consideration

They might not make the U.S. News & World’s highest-rated places to live list, but there are other Southern cities where you can find homes for under $200,000. They include the following, with the median home prices listed cited from U.S. News & World Report data:

Anniston, Alabama — $153,531
Gadsden, Alabama — $156,113
North Little Rock, Arkansas — $189,595
Sebring, Florida — $197,248
Albana, Georgia — $151,831
Hinesville, Georgia — $186,781
Owensboro, Kentucky — $183,152
Paducah, Kentucky — $161,025
Alexandria, Louisiana — $166,221
Shreveport, Louisiana — $170,271
Jackson, Mississippi — $131,342
Gulfport, Mississippi — $173,254
Rocky Mount, North Carolina — $177,943
Goldsboro, North Carolina — $189,951
Lawton, Oklahoma — $144,899
Florence, South Carolina — $192,970
Parkersburg, West Virginia — $134,903
Wheeling, West Virginia — $144,340

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

Angela Mae Watson

Edited by

Cory Dudak