Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American dream — but for many, realizing that dream is prohibitively expensive.
Today, the typical American home has a price tag of nearly a quarter of a million dollars, according to industry advocacy group the National Realtors Association. While not every budget can accommodate housing expenses that high, affordable real estate is available in nearly every state.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed home value data from NAR as of the third quarter of 2018 for 3,119 counties and county equivalents nationwide to identify the county with the least expensive housing market in every state. Counties in each state were ranked based on median home value. In 34 states, there is at least one county where more than 50% of homes cost less than $100,000. Hawaii and Rhode Island are the only states where no county has a median home value below the national median of $235,000.
Home values are typically a reflection of what area residents can afford, and as a result, the counties on this list tend to be low-income areas. Some even rank as the poorest county in their state. Windham County, Connecticut, is the only county on this list with a higher median annual household income than the national median of $57,652 — and every county on this list has a lower median household income than its home state.
Housing prices in many of the counties on this list are driven down by high regional vacancy rates — indicative of low demand — and lacking public works infrastructure. In the majority of these counties, the share of households that lack access to basic telephone service exceeds the 2.3% national share. In 42 of these counties, the share of vacant homes exceeds the 12.2% national vacancy rate. Homes in these counties are also far more likely than most to be older, built before 1939.
Click here to see the county with the least expensive housing market in each state.
Click here to read our methodology.
Source: jcbozeman / Flickr
Alabama: Lowndes County
> Median home value: $62,908
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $963
> Homes with no phone service access: 5.2%
> Vacant housing units: 16.5% of total
> Median household income: $29,785
See all stories featuring: Alabama
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Source: mtrienke / Flickr
Alaska: Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
> Median home value: $83,696
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,080
> Homes with no phone service access: 8.9%
> Vacant housing units: 51.8% of total
> Median household income: $37,819
See all stories featuring: Alaska
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Source: Oralleff / Getty Images
Arizona: Apache County
> Median home value: $51,798
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $943
> Homes with no phone service access: 10.6%
> Vacant housing units: 40.4% of total
> Median household income: $32,360
See all stories featuring: Arizona
Source:
ChrisLitherlandClarendonAR.jpg: Photolitherland
derivative work: Brandonrush
/ Wikimedia Commons
Arkansas: Monroe County
> Median home value: $56,798
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $817
> Homes with no phone service access: 8.0%
> Vacant housing units: 25.2% of total
> Median household income: $31,584
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
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Source: 33671002@N00 / Flickr
California: Modoc County
> Median home value: $152,797
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,007
> Homes with no phone service access: 1.3%
> Vacant housing units: 30.7% of total
> Median household income: $39,296
See all stories featuring: California
Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
Colorado: Bent County
> Median home value: $86,780
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $898
> Homes with no phone service access: 1.3%
> Vacant housing units: 21.8% of total
> Median household income: $32,500
See all stories featuring: Colorado
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Source: JJBers / Flickr
Connecticut: Windham County
> Median home value: $203,646
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,668
> Homes with no phone service access: 1.2%
> Vacant housing units: 10.2% of total
> Median household income: $62,553
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
Source: David Osberg / Getty Images
Delaware: Kent County
> Median home value: $230,026
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,460
> Homes with no phone service access: 1.7%
> Vacant housing units: 8.8% of total
> Median household income: $57,647
See all stories featuring: Delaware
Source: aduarteweb / Flickr
Florida: Liberty County
> Median home value: $67,559
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $843
> Homes with no phone service access: 1.5%
> Vacant housing units: 34.0% of total
> Median household income: $36,741
See all stories featuring: Florida
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Source: Bubba73 / Wikimedia Commons
Georgia: Wheeler County
> Median home value: $49,813
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $879
> Homes with no phone service access: 20.0%
> Vacant housing units: 24.7% of total
> Median household income: $28,490
See all stories featuring: Georgia
Source: Ken Lund / Flickr
Hawaii: Hawaii County
> Median home value: $375,676
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,605
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.0%
> Vacant housing units: 22.3% of total
> Median household income: $56,395
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
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Source: texasbackroads / Flickr
Idaho: Clark County
> Median home value: $108,629
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $884
> Homes with no phone service access: 0.0%
> Vacant housing units: 43.4% of total
> Median household income: $31,927
See all stories featuring: Idaho
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
Illinois: Alexander County
> Median home value: $54,352
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $880
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.4%
> Vacant housing units: 39.0% of total
> Median household income: $31,014
See all stories featuring: Illinois
Source: OZinOH / Flickr
Indiana: Blackford County
> Median home value: $73,628
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $843
> Homes with no phone service access: 1.7%
> Vacant housing units: 13.9% of total
> Median household income: $40,622
See all stories featuring: Indiana
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Source: j_regan / Flickr
Iowa: Audubon County
> Median home value: $72,664
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $784
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.7%
> Vacant housing units: 10.9% of total
> Median household income: $48,750
See all stories featuring: Iowa
Source: kurt-b / Flickr
Kansas: Elk County
> Median home value: $49,849
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $960
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.7%
> Vacant housing units: 33.9% of total
> Median household income: $39,405
See all stories featuring: Kansas
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Source: brier5hill / Flickr
Kentucky: Leslie County
> Median home value: $51,550
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $772
> Homes with no phone service access: 6.4%
> Vacant housing units: 19.8% of total
> Median household income: $27,861
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
Source: kenlund / Flickr
Louisiana: Tensas Parish
> Median home value: $64,341
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $850
> Homes with no phone service access: 3.9%
> Vacant housing units: 43.2% of total
> Median household income: $21,906
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
Source: apelletr / Getty Images
Maine: Aroostook County
> Median home value: $104,510
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $982
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.9%
> Vacant housing units: 25.0% of total
> Median household income: $39,021
See all stories featuring: Maine
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Source: roadgeek / Flickr
Maryland: Allegany County
> Median home value: $113,677
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,060
> Homes with no phone service access: 1.6%
> Vacant housing units: 16.0% of total
> Median household income: $42,771
See all stories featuring: Maryland
Source: takomabibelot / Flickr
Massachusetts: Hampden County
> Median home value: $223,466
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,531
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.1%
> Vacant housing units: 7.4% of total
> Median household income: $52,205
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
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Source: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) / Wikimedia Commons
Michigan: Ontonagon County
> Median home value: $75,085
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $883
> Homes with no phone service access: 1.8%
> Vacant housing units: 48.1% of total
> Median household income: $36,073
See all stories featuring: Michigan
Source: afiler / Flickr
Minnesota: Kittson County
> Median home value: $77,339
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,058
> Homes with no phone service access: 0.9%
> Vacant housing units: 27.7% of total
> Median household income: $52,304
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
Source: Roger Smith / Flickr
Mississippi: Issaquena County
> Median home value: $51,872
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,098
> Homes with no phone service access: 5.5%
> Vacant housing units: 19.4% of total
> Median household income: $25,609
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
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Source: Patrick Hull / Wikimedia Commons
Missouri: Worth County
> Median home value: $63,683
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $904
> Homes with no phone service access: 1.7%
> Vacant housing units: 30.4% of total
> Median household income: $48,214
See all stories featuring: Missouri
Source: diversey / Flickr
Montana: Blaine County
> Median home value: $94,014
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,156
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.9%
> Vacant housing units: 18.8% of total
> Median household income: $35,506
See all stories featuring: Montana
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Nebraska: Grant County
> Median home value: $58,588
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,102
> Homes with no phone service access: 1.8%
> Vacant housing units: 29.0% of total
> Median household income: $45,833
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
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Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
Nevada: Esmeralda County
> Median home value: $83,563
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $850
> Homes with no phone service access: 0.8%
> Vacant housing units: 50.2% of total
> Median household income: $39,405
See all stories featuring: Nevada
Source: Jorisvo / Getty Images
New Hampshire: Coos County
> Median home value: $132,002
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,208
> Homes with no phone service access: 1.8%
> Vacant housing units: 35.4% of total
> Median household income: $45,386
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
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Source: Dennis / Flicker
New Jersey: Cumberland County
> Median home value: $161,596
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,589
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.7%
> Vacant housing units: 10.2% of total
> Median household income: $50,000
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
Source: chelsea-e-levin / Flickr
New Mexico: De Baca County
> Median home value: $69,412
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $850
> Homes with no phone service access: 1.8%
> Vacant housing units: 41.7% of total
> Median household income: $31,439
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
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Source: dougtone / Flickr
New York: Allegany County
> Median home value: $78,265
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $987
> Homes with no phone service access: 4.6%
> Vacant housing units: 31.2% of total
> Median household income: $45,359
See all stories featuring: New York
Source: gerrydincher / Flickr
North Carolina: Robeson County
> Median home value: $82,505
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $964
> Homes with no phone service access: 4.4%
> Vacant housing units: 12.9% of total
> Median household income: $32,407
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
Source: By Andrew Filer - Flickr: Minnewaukan, North Dakota, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27346716
North Dakota: Benson County
> Median home value: $70,141
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,003
> Homes with no phone service access: 4.1%
> Vacant housing units: 24.4% of total
> Median household income: $44,500
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Ohio: Crawford County
> Median home value: $91,880
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $939
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.2%
> Vacant housing units: 11.2% of total
> Median household income: $41,726
See all stories featuring: Ohio
Source: brewbooks / Flickr
Oklahoma: Harmon County
> Median home value: $50,816
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $659
> Homes with no phone service access: 7.6%
> Vacant housing units: 22.7% of total
> Median household income: $38,264
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
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Source: samchurchill / Flickr
Oregon: Gilliam County
> Median home value: $121,982
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $989
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.6%
> Vacant housing units: 24.8% of total
> Median household income: $39,831
See all stories featuring: Oregon
Source: Dincher / Wikimedia Commons
Pennsylvania: Cameron County
> Median home value: $76,958
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $957
> Homes with no phone service access: 3.0%
> Vacant housing units: 50.4% of total
> Median household income: $40,402
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
Source: cmh2315fl / Flickr
Rhode Island: Providence County
> Median home value: $250,303
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,730
> Homes with no phone service access: 1.9%
> Vacant housing units: 10.3% of total
> Median household income: $52,530
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
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Source: Jud McCranie / Wikimedia Commons
South Carolina: Allendale County
> Median home value: $55,511
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $791
> Homes with no phone service access: 4.1%
> Vacant housing units: 26.7% of total
> Median household income: $23,331
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
Source: Courtesy of Túlio Assis via Flickr
South Dakota: Todd County
> Median home value: $40,199
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $709
> Homes with no phone service access: 10.1%
> Vacant housing units: 12.2% of total
> Median household income: $26,285
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
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Source: lordsutch / Flickr
Tennessee: Lake County
> Median home value: $81,761
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $855
> Homes with no phone service access: 4.3%
> Vacant housing units: 17.0% of total
> Median household income: $31,993
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
Texas: Cochran County
> Median home value: $35,767
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $802
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.0%
> Vacant housing units: 26.4% of total
> Median household income: $37,500
See all stories featuring: Texas
Source: plant_diversity / Flickr
Utah: Carbon County
> Median home value: $142,387
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $987
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.3%
> Vacant housing units: 19.7% of total
> Median household income: $46,994
See all stories featuring: Utah
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Source: mar_ibert / Flickr
Vermont: Essex County
> Median home value: $134,687
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,137
> Homes with no phone service access: 3.3%
> Vacant housing units: 46.9% of total
> Median household income: $38,767
See all stories featuring: Vermont
Source: Virginia Department of Transportation's photostream / Flickr
Virginia: Buchanan County
> Median home value: $73,552
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $946
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.5%
> Vacant housing units: 22.1% of total
> Median household income: $30,828
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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Source: JeffGoulden / Getty Images
Washington: Garfield County
> Median home value: $160,790
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,059
> Homes with no phone service access: 3.2%
> Vacant housing units: 19.7% of total
> Median household income: $51,399
See all stories featuring: Washington
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Source: Magnolia677 / Wikimedia Commons
West Virginia: McDowell County
> Median home value: $35,932
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $730
> Homes with no phone service access: 9.8%
> Vacant housing units: 31.4% of total
> Median household income: $25,595
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
Source: J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Wisconsin: Menominee County
> Median home value: $91,657
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,056
> Homes with no phone service access: 2.6%
> Vacant housing units: 41.9% of total
> Median household income: $38,080
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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Source: charkes / Flickr
Wyoming: Hot Springs County
> Median home value: $154,348
> Median monthly housing costs w/ mortgage: $1,181
> Homes with no phone service access: 3.4%
> Vacant housing units: 13.2% of total
> Median household income: $48,403
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
Methodology
To determine the county with the least expensive housing market in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed median home prices in the 3,119 county and county-equivalents as aggregated by the National Association of Realtors for the third quarter of 2018. We also considered median household incomes, median monthly housing costs for mortgage holders, the share of occupied homes with no access to telephone service, and housing vacancy rates — all five-year estimates from the from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey.
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