Housing prices in the Western United States are generally more expensive than elsewhere in the nation. When real estate firm Zillow calculated July prices for a typical mid-tier home in the U.S., not surprisingly Hawaii took the top spot at over $743,000, followed by California at about $700,000. Other Western states are just as pricey. Homes in Washington were valued at $529,000, in Utah at roughly $477,000, Oregon at $457,000, and Idaho at about $414,000. Nationwide, the typical home value is $298,933.
But pockets of affordability exist even in this most expensive of regions. To identify the 50 most affordable housing markets in the West, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey five-year estimates, ranking only the 1,482 census-designated places, cities, and towns with at least 5,000 residents in the West. All other data is from the ACS. (We calculated percent of population change, using ACS data.)
California managed to place five markets on the list, beginning with California City, a town located 100 miles north of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert. Houses there come with a price tag of $124,500. The city has an interesting history, with original big plans to develop it as a suburban paradise. Though it has yet to grow into the city once envisioned, there is room to grow. At more than 200 square miles, it’s the state’s third-largest city in terms of land area. Here’s a look at the least expensive ZIP codes in America.
If you’re looking for a Western state with cheaper homes, look to Arizona and New Mexico. Eighteen of the most affordable markets are found in Arizona, while 15 are in neighboring New Mexico. Of the five least expensive markets on the list, four are in Arizona, with Tuba City taking the top spot at $47,500. Located in northern Arizona, Tuba City sits within the Painted Desert near the border of the Navajo Nation. This is the least expensive county to buy a home in every state.
No. 6 on the list is Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico. Home prices in that small town 150 miles west of Albuquerque will set you back $73,800. Like Tuba City, it’s rich in Native American history and culture. Sadly, Arizona and New Mexico have 10 and seven places, respectively, among the poorest places in the West.Â
Click here to see the most affordable places to buy a house in the West
Source: By Craig Dietrich - Flickr: Central Park, California City, California, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23233742 / Wikimedia Commons
50. California City, California
> Median home value: $124,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 32.5% — 64th highest in the West
> Median household income: $49,022 — 1,217th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +4.7% — 162nd highest in the West
> Population: 13,826 — 811th highest in the West
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49. Aberdeen, Washington
> Median home value: $124,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 39.4% — 45th highest in the West
> Median household income: $44,444 — 1,315th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +0.2% — 172nd highest in the West
> Population: 16,456 — 725th highest in the West
Source: tupungato / Getty Images
48. East Porterville, California
> Median home value: $123,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 24.5% — 123rd highest in the West
> Median household income: $27,974 — 1,469th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -1.6% — 575th highest in the West
> Population: 6,291 — 1,321st highest in the West
Source: Courtesy of Cutler Elementary School via Facebook
47. Cutler, California
> Median home value: $120,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 38.1% — 48th highest in the West
> Median household income: $39,646 — 1,406th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +14.1% — 28th highest in the West
> Population: 5,214 — 1,452nd highest in the West
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46. Nogales, Arizona
> Median home value: $119,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 35.1% — 60th highest in the West
> Median household income: $29,339 — 1,467th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -1.9% — 85th highest in the West
> Population: 20,201 — 640th highest in the West
45. Payette, Idaho
> Median home value: $118,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 34.8% — 61st highest in the West
> Median household income: $47,607 — 1,243rd highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +0.8% — 30th highest in the West
> Population: 7,487 — 1,195th highest in the West
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44. Ontario, Oregon
> Median home value: $117,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 36.4% — 54th highest in the West
> Median household income: $36,922 — 1,432nd highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -1.1% — 96th highest in the West
> Population: 10,966 — 939th highest in the West
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
43. Las Vegas, New Mexico
> Median home value: $117,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 42.9% — 34th highest in the West
> Median household income: $26,561 — 1,472nd highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -3.9% — 38th highest in the West
> Population: 13,176 — 834th highest in the West
42. San Luis, Arizona
> Median home value: $117,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 25.8% — 112th highest in the West
> Median household income: $37,255 — 1,429th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +7.6% — 35th highest in the West
> Population: 32,985 — 435th highest in the West
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41. Barstow, California
> Median home value: $117,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 36.0% — 57th highest in the West
> Median household income: $40,633 — 1,386th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +2.7% — 264th highest in the West
> Population: 23,899 — 557th highest in the West
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
40. Lovington, New Mexico
> Median home value: $116,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 41.4% — 40th highest in the West
> Median household income: $51,620 — 1,152nd highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -0.1% — 27th highest in the West
> Population: 11,491 — 910th highest in the West
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39. Weiser, Idaho
> Median home value: $116,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 36.6% — 53rd highest in the West
> Median household income: $36,610 — 1,435th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -0.7% — 33rd highest in the West
> Population: 5,323 — 1,434th highest in the West
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Source: miroslav_1 / iStock via Getty Images
38. Portales, New Mexico
> Median home value: $116,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 42.5% — 36th highest in the West
> Median household income: $37,921 — 1,424th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -4.5% — 40th highest in the West
> Population: 11,854 — 888th highest in the West
37. Alamogordo, New Mexico
> Median home value: $113,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 41.9% — 39th highest in the West
> Median household income: $42,204 — 1,362nd highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +0.6% — 24th highest in the West
> Population: 31,384 — 457th highest in the West
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36. Coolidge, Arizona
> Median home value: $113,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 42.7% — 35th highest in the West
> Median household income: $49,266 — 1,210th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +5.9% — 46th highest in the West
> Population: 12,685 — 853rd highest in the West
35. Rupert, Idaho
> Median home value: $113,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 44.8% — 31st highest in the West
> Median household income: $40,320 — 1,392nd highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +3.5% — 24th highest in the West
> Population: 5,796 — 1,381st highest in the West
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Source: By $1LENCE D00600D at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32891970
34. Picture Rocks, Arizona
> Median home value: $112,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 42.3% — 37th highest in the West
> Median household income: $55,231 — 1,061st highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +11.4% — 20th highest in the West
> Population: 9,653 — 1,017th highest in the West
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Source: ZTAT5 / WIkimedia Commons
33. Arizona City, Arizona
> Median home value: $112,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 40.5% — 43rd highest in the West
> Median household income: $40,355 — 1,391st highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +24.9% — 3rd highest in the West
> Population: 11,200 — 926th highest in the West
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brostad/
32. Wapato, Washington
> Median home value: $112,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 39.6% — 44th highest in the West
> Median household income: $40,772 — 1,384th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -0.7% — 178th highest in the West
> Population: 5,041 — 1,476th highest in the West
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Source: grandriver / E+ via Getty Images
31. Sunland Park, New Mexico
> Median home value: $111,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 42.3% — 38th highest in the West
> Median household income: $27,266 — 1,470th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +12.8% — 6th highest in the West
> Population: 17,081 — 708th highest in the West
30. Hoquiam, Washington
> Median home value: $110,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 45.0% — 30th highest in the West
> Median household income: $45,667 — 1,292nd highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +0.2% — 171st highest in the West
> Population: 8,495 — 1,097th highest in the West
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Source: lovefishn / Getty Images
29. Clearlake, California
> Median home value: $110,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 43.7% — 33rd highest in the West
> Median household income: $31,551 — 1,459th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +1.7% — 332nd highest in the West
> Population: 15,349 — 764th highest in the West
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Source: A. Balet / Wikimedia Commons
28. Union Gap, Washington
> Median home value: $107,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 43.8% — 32nd highest in the West
> Median household income: $41,310 — 1,375th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +2.0% — 159th highest in the West
> Population: 6,163 — 1,331st highest in the West
27. Lewistown, Montana
> Median home value: $107,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 46.6% — 27th highest in the West
> Median household income: $38,575 — 1,418th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +0.0% — 17th highest in the West
> Population: 5,885 — 1,368th highest in the West
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Source: duckycards / iStock via Getty Images
26. Belen, New Mexico
> Median home value: $106,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 46.3% — 28th highest in the West
> Median household income: $36,601 — 1,436th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +2.7% — 16th highest in the West
> Population: 7,403 — 1,202nd highest in the West
Source: gionnixxx / iStock via Getty Images
25. Apache Junction, Arizona
> Median home value: $105,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 48.3% — 25th highest in the West
> Median household income: $45,653 — 1,293rd highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +10.9% — 21st highest in the West
> Population: 40,592 — 362nd highest in the West
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Source: EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER / iStock via Getty Images
24. Roswell, New Mexico
> Median home value: $105,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 47.7% — 26th highest in the West
> Median household income: $43,372 — 1,337th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -1.3% — 30th highest in the West
> Population: 47,941 — 321st highest in the West
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
23. Anthony, New Mexico
> Median home value: $103,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 46.0% — 29th highest in the West
> Median household income: $23,948 — 1,479th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -1.3% — 31st highest in the West
> Population: 9,310 — 1,043rd highest in the West
22. Grants, New Mexico
> Median home value: $101,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 48.8% — 24th highest in the West
> Median household income: $41,475 — 1,371st highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -2.2% — 33rd highest in the West
> Population: 9,036 — 1,055th highest in the West
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Source: Phototreat / Getty Images
21. Douglas, Arizona
> Median home value: $100,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 49.8% — 23rd highest in the West
> Median household income: $35,514 — 1,441st highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -3.6% — 90th highest in the West
> Population: 16,307 — 729th highest in the West
Source: Zeb Micelli / Wikimedia Commons
20. Guadalupe, Arizona
> Median home value: $100,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 49.9% — 21st highest in the West
> Median household income: $38,125 — 1,422nd highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +7.8% — 34th highest in the West
> Population: 6,482 — 1,303rd highest in the West
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Source: Florence and Joseph McGinn / iStock via Getty Images
19. Eloy, Arizona
> Median home value: $100,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 50.0% — 20th highest in the West
> Median household income: $39,835 — 1,400th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +10.1% — 26th highest in the West
> Population: 18,666 — 679th highest in the West
18. Lamar, Colorado
> Median home value: $99,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 50.4% — 19th highest in the West
> Median household income: $40,826 — 1,380th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -2.3% — 108th highest in the West
> Population: 7,564 — 1,182nd highest in the West
17. Holbrook, Arizona
> Median home value: $98,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 51.3% — 18th highest in the West
> Median household income: $46,679 — 1,262nd highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +0.9% — 76th highest in the West
> Population: 5,037 — 1,477th highest in the West
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Source: SWInsider / Getty Images
16. Deming, New Mexico
> Median home value: $95,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 51.8% — 17th highest in the West
> Median household income: $27,079 — 1,471st highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -3.6% — 36th highest in the West
> Population: 14,139 — 798th highest in the West
15. Avra Valley, Arizona
> Median home value: $93,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 55.7% — 16th highest in the West
> Median household income: $46,893 — 1,259th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +31.0% — 2nd highest in the West
> Population: 6,203 — 1,328th highest in the West
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Source: AlizadaStudios / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
14. Winslow, Arizona
> Median home value: $92,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 57.7% — 15th highest in the West
> Median household income: $37,756 — 1,425th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -0.6% — 80th highest in the West
> Population: 9,476 — 1,030th highest in the West
Source: exit78 / Flickr
13. La Junta, Colorado
> Median home value: $91,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 59.7% — 12th highest in the West
> Median household income: $39,567 — 1,408th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -1.8% — 107th highest in the West
> Population: 6,893 — 1,252nd highest in the West
Source: Laura Hertzfeld / Wikimedia Commons
12. Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
> Median home value: $85,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 59.3% — 13th highest in the West
> Median household income: $23,988 — 1,478th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -5.9% — 42nd highest in the West
> Population: 5,894 — 1,367th highest in the West
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11. South Tucson, Arizona
> Median home value: $84,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 66.4% — 5th highest in the West
> Median household income: $24,967 — 1,475th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -0.3% — 79th highest in the West
> Population: 5,667 — 1,395th highest in the West
Source: library_of_congress / Flickr
10. Raton, New Mexico
> Median home value: $83,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 60.7% — 11th highest in the West
> Median household income: $31,034 — 1,466th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -6.9% — 43rd highest in the West
> Population: 6,047 — 1,355th highest in the West
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Source: muha04 / Getty Images
9. Shiprock, New Mexico
> Median home value: $82,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 59.2% — 14th highest in the West
> Median household income: $39,893 — 1,398th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +6.2% — 8th highest in the West
> Population: 9,020 — 1,056th highest in the West
8. Golden Valley, Arizona
> Median home value: $81,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 66.3% — 6th highest in the West
> Median household income: $38,955 — 1,415th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +1.5% — 71st highest in the West
> Population: 9,079 — 1,053rd highest in the West
Source: Courtesy of Google Maps 2011
7. Chaparral, New Mexico
> Median home value: $78,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 63.8% — 8th highest in the West
> Median household income: $24,665 — 1,476th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +5.9% — 10th highest in the West
> Population: 14,437 — 787th highest in the West
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6. Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico
> Median home value: $73,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.6% — 3rd highest in the West
> Median household income: $39,881 — 1,399th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -26.3% — 46th highest in the West
> Population: 7,001 — 1,246th highest in the West
Source: Courtesy of Google Maps 2016
5. New Kingman-Butler, Arizona
> Median home value: $71,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 65.6% — 7th highest in the West
> Median household income: $36,823 — 1,434th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +17.5% — 11th highest in the West
> Population: 13,933 — 807th highest in the West
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Source: Faina Gurevich / Getty Images
4. Flowing Wells, Arizona
> Median home value: $65,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 63.7% — 9th highest in the West
> Median household income: $38,434 — 1,420th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -2.0% — 86th highest in the West
> Population: 15,755 — 752nd highest in the West
3. Federal Heights, Colorado
> Median home value: $64,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 62.5% — 10th highest in the West
> Median household income: $45,395 — 1,297th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +5.9% — 52nd highest in the West
> Population: 12,745 — 851st highest in the West
2. Kayenta, Arizona
> Median home value: $54,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 70.1% — 4th highest in the West
> Median household income: $31,389 — 1,463rd highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: +17.2% — 12th highest in the West
> Population: 5,512 — 1,412th highest in the West
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1. Tuba City, Arizona
> Median home value: $47,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.1% — 2nd highest in the West
> Median household income: $47,119 — 1,254th highest in the West
> 5-year pop. change: -11.9% — 94th highest in the West
> Population: 8,609 — 1,089th highest in the West
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