The online real estate marketplace Zillow pegs the typical cost of a mid-level home in the U.S. at $298,933. Yet that’s a national number, and one that doesn’t reflect the wide variation in home values across the country.
Take the South, for example. Virginia sports the highest home values in the region at $328,640, per Zillow. The state likely owes its pricey housing market to the proximity of its northeastern corner to the nation’s capital. Florida comes in at $297,390, just a smidge below the national average. By contrast, Texas seems almost affordable at $247,210. (For markets where home values are skyrocketing, on the other hand, see the states where home prices went up the most in the past 12 months.)
Of course average prices within each state vary widely, too, just as those across the nation do. To identify the most affordable housing markets in the South, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey five-year estimates, ranking only the 2,352 census-designated places, cities, and towns with at least 5,000 residents in the Southern states. (We calculated the percent of population change ourselves, using ACS data.)
In fact, Texas ended up looking like the most affordable state for home-buyers overall, taking 30 places on our list of 50. There are admittedly places in the Lone Star State where the median home value is $1.5 million or more. But in Commerce, just north of Ft.Worth/Dallas metropolitan area, an average home will set you back a very reasonable $70,800 — and that’s the highest price on our entire list.
On the low end, at No. 2 on our list, there’s Raymondville, west of South Padre Island in the Matamoros-Brownsville metropolitan area. Houses there cost $47,000 — roughly the price of an entry-level luxury car.
Click here to see the 50 most affordable housing markets in the South
Florida had the next largest number of places in our ranking, with five markets, including the cheapest city of all — Zephyrhills South. A little more than $30,300 will get you a home in that town northeast of Tampa. (If you have more expensive tastes, consider the most expensive housing markets in Florida.)
50. Commerce, Texas
> Median home value: $70,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.3% — 44th highest in the South
> Median household income: $28,135 — 2,291st highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +8.6% — 123rd highest in the South
> Population: 9,293 — 1,541st highest in the South
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Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
49. Okmulgee, Oklahoma
> Median home value: $70,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 77.5% — 23rd highest in the South
> Median household income: $31,884 — 2,207th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -4.1% — 72nd highest in the South
> Population: 11,846 — 1,275th highest in the South
48. Lamesa, Texas
> Median home value: $70,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 67.7% — 94th highest in the South
> Median household income: $36,904 — 2,015th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -1.3% — 343rd highest in the South
> Population: 9,221 — 1,549th highest in the South
Source: Warren-Pender / Getty Images
47. Avon Park, Florida
> Median home value: $70,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.2% — 46th highest in the South
> Median household income: $30,750 — 2,239th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +4.9% — 249th highest in the South
> Population: 10,461 — 1,408th highest in the South
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Source: Ppntori / Wikimedia Commons
46. Homestead Meadows South, Texas
> Median home value: $70,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 80.2% — 19th highest in the South
> Median household income: $38,641 — 1,946th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +22.0% — 47th highest in the South
> Population: 7,089 — 1,884th highest in the South
45. Waycross, Georgia
> Median home value: $70,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 70.8% — 65th highest in the South
> Median household income: $27,381 — 2,300th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -4.0% — 143rd highest in the South
> Population: 13,692 — 1,122nd highest in the South
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
44. Oakdale, Louisiana
> Median home value: $69,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 63.7% — 129th highest in the South
> Median household income: $32,538 — 2,174th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -1.5% — 65th highest in the South
> Population: 7,607 — 1,805th highest in the South
Source: Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
43. Olivarez, Texas
> Median home value: $69,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 81.2% — 17th highest in the South
> Median household income: $-666,666,666 — 2,352nd highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +47.9% — 10th highest in the South
> Population: 5,621 — 2,193rd highest in the South
Source: Upstateherd / Wikimedia Commons
42. Homeland Park, South Carolina
> Median home value: $69,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 86.4% — 10th highest in the South
> Median household income: $30,399 — 2,251st highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -6.7% — 97th highest in the South
> Population: 5,988 — 2,108th highest in the South
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Source: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
41. Hutchins, Texas
> Median home value: $68,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.5% — 31st highest in the South
> Median household income: $36,087 — 2,056th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +0.9% — 286th highest in the South
> Population: 5,718 — 2,173rd highest in the South
40. Pecos, Texas
> Median home value: $68,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.7% — 48th highest in the South
> Median household income: $60,582 — 952nd highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +11.4% — 93rd highest in the South
> Population: 10,108 — 1,441st highest in the South
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Source: Anthony Acosta, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
39. Doffing, Texas
> Median home value: $68,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 78.6% — 20th highest in the South
> Median household income: $28,162 — 2,289th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -8.0% — 396th highest in the South
> Population: 5,176 — 2,292nd highest in the South
38. Sweetwater, Texas
> Median home value: $68,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 71.4% — 58th highest in the South
> Median household income: $41,549 — 1,806th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -1.6% — 351st highest in the South
> Population: 10,626 — 1,390th highest in the South
Source: Mplfan, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
37. Palmview South, Texas
> Median home value: $67,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.4% — 42nd highest in the South
> Median household income: $38,438 — 1,961st highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +2.1% — 253rd highest in the South
> Population: 5,589 — 2,197th highest in the South
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Source: Michael Barera / Getty Images
36. Hugo, Oklahoma
> Median home value: $67,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 70.9% — 63rd highest in the South
> Median household income: $25,212 — 2,330th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -2.6% — 61st highest in the South
> Population: 5,142 — 2,304th highest in the South
Source: kenlund / Flickr
35. Chester, South Carolina
> Median home value: $67,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 71.8% — 54th highest in the South
> Median household income: $26,330 — 2,322nd highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -2.2% — 79th highest in the South
> Population: 5,408 — 2,233rd highest in the South
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Source: Thomson200 / Wikimedia Commons
34. Forest Park, Georgia
> Median home value: $67,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.8% — 27th highest in the South
> Median household income: $36,792 — 2,022nd highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +4.1% — 72nd highest in the South
> Population: 19,723 — 792nd highest in the South
Source: kanonsky / iStock via Getty Images
33. Muleshoe, Texas
> Median home value: $67,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.9% — 47th highest in the South
> Median household income: $51,727 — 1,283rd highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +9.4% — 110th highest in the South
> Population: 5,798 — 2,154th highest in the South
Source: Courtesy of Google Maps 2011
32. La Homa, Texas
> Median home value: $66,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.7% — 37th highest in the South
> Median household income: $31,563 — 2,216th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -5.0% — 390th highest in the South
> Population: 12,729 — 1,195th highest in the South
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
31. Breckenridge, Texas
> Median home value: $66,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.6% — 38th highest in the South
> Median household income: $45,701 — 1,586th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -2.5% — 366th highest in the South
> Population: 5,457 — 2,221st highest in the South
Source: Hundley_Photography / iStock via Getty Images
30. Cameron Park, Texas
> Median home value: $66,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 90.2% — 5th highest in the South
> Median household income: $31,583 — 2,214th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -10.5% — 397th highest in the South
> Population: 6,241 — 2,063rd highest in the South
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Source: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons
29. Prichard, Alabama
> Median home value: $66,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.4% — 50th highest in the South
> Median household income: $29,009 — 2,275th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -3.0% — 96th highest in the South
> Population: 21,773 — 722nd highest in the South
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Source: Emmanuel2312 / WikimediaCommons
28. McRae-Helena, Georgia
> Median home value: $65,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.9% — 73rd highest in the South
> Median household income: $28,155 — 2,290th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -3.6% — 139th highest in the South
> Population: 8,409 — 1,668th highest in the South
Source: Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons
27. West Pensacola, Florida
> Median home value: $65,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.2% — 32nd highest in the South
> Median household income: $35,068 — 2,098th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +2.5% — 330th highest in the South
> Population: 21,056 — 744th highest in the South
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26. Port Arthur, Texas
> Median home value: $65,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.8% — 74th highest in the South
> Median household income: $36,557 — 2,034th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +0.4% — 296th highest in the South
> Population: 55,109 — 254th highest in the South
25. Clarksdale, Mississippi
> Median home value: $65,400
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.2% — 53rd highest in the South
> Median household income: $30,223 — 2,254th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -9.1% — 67th highest in the South
> Population: 15,734 — 984th highest in the South
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Source: library_of_congress / Flickr
24. Forrest City, Arkansas
> Median home value: $65,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 76.4% — 26th highest in the South
> Median household income: $30,817 — 2,238th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -4.8% — 59th highest in the South
> Population: 14,285 — 1,079th highest in the South
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Source: AustinMirage / iStock via Getty Images
23. Littlefield, Texas
> Median home value: $65,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 70.0% — 69th highest in the South
> Median household income: $42,156 — 1,760th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -4.9% — 388th highest in the South
> Population: 5,956 — 2,114th highest in the South
Source: TexasPixelPro / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
22. Vernon, Texas
> Median home value: $64,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 71.0% — 62nd highest in the South
> Median household income: $42,533 — 1,741st highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -3.5% — 383rd highest in the South
> Population: 10,509 — 1,401st highest in the South
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21. Henryetta, Oklahoma
> Median home value: $64,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 71.8% — 57th highest in the South
> Median household income: $32,589 — 2,170th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -3.1% — 66th highest in the South
> Population: 5,633 — 2,189th highest in the South
Source: jayphagan / Flickr
20. Robstown, Texas
> Median home value: $64,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 70.5% — 67th highest in the South
> Median household income: $35,504 — 2,077th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -1.9% — 359th highest in the South
> Population: 11,400 — 1,316th highest in the South
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19. Blackwell, Oklahoma
> Median home value: $63,800
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 72.4% — 51st highest in the South
> Median household income: $42,371 — 1,750th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -3.4% — 69th highest in the South
> Population: 6,696 — 1,950th highest in the South
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18. Carrizo Springs, Texas
> Median home value: $63,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 71.2% — 60th highest in the South
> Median household income: $30,158 — 2,256th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -3.2% — 376th highest in the South
> Population: 5,554 — 2,202nd highest in the South
Source: kennethaw88, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
17. Seminole, Oklahoma
> Median home value: $61,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 69.6% — 77th highest in the South
> Median household income: $37,120 — 2,005th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -3.8% — 71st highest in the South
> Population: 7,219 — 1,858th highest in the South
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Source: Ken Badgley / Getty Images
16. Brooksville, Florida
> Median home value: $61,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 66.7% — 103rd highest in the South
> Median household income: $32,203 — 2,192nd highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +5.7% — 229th highest in the South
> Population: 8,191 — 1,710th highest in the South
Source: library_of_congress / Flickr
15. Fabens, Texas
> Median home value: $60,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 88.0% — 8th highest in the South
> Median household income: $28,397 — 2,287th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -26.9% — 403rd highest in the South
> Population: 5,736 — 2,167th highest in the South
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14. Kermit, Texas
> Median home value: $59,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 73.5% — 40th highest in the South
> Median household income: $54,267 — 1,177th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +7.4% — 145th highest in the South
> Population: 6,503 — 1,997th highest in the South
Source: Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
13. Donna, Texas
> Median home value: $59,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 88.3% — 7th highest in the South
> Median household income: $29,724 — 2,268th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +0.7% — 291st highest in the South
> Population: 16,409 — 949th highest in the South
Source: Theunderratedtaco, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
12. Progreso, Texas
> Median home value: $57,500
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 83.0% — 15th highest in the South
> Median household income: $52,500 — 1,248th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +2.0% — 255th highest in the South
> Population: 5,905 — 2,130th highest in the South
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
11. San Benito, Texas
> Median home value: $57,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 75.7% — 29th highest in the South
> Median household income: $27,460 — 2,299th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -0.5% — 321st highest in the South
> Population: 24,371 — 636th highest in the South
10. La Feria, Texas
> Median home value: $55,600
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 77.6% — 22nd highest in the South
> Median household income: $32,011 — 2,202nd highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -0.8% — 328th highest in the South
> Population: 7,267 — 1,849th highest in the South
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Source: Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons
9. West Vero Corridor, Florida
> Median home value: $55,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 68.2% — 88th highest in the South
> Median household income: $41,340 — 1,813th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +19.4% — 42nd highest in the South
> Population: 8,292 — 1,693rd highest in the South
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
8. Holdenville, Oklahoma
> Median home value: $55,100
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 78.4% — 21st highest in the South
> Median household income: $32,433 — 2,177th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -3.3% — 67th highest in the South
> Population: 5,559 — 2,200th highest in the South
Source: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
7. Elsa, Texas
> Median home value: $53,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 88.6% — 6th highest in the South
> Median household income: $35,994 — 2,063rd highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +12.1% — 85th highest in the South
> Population: 7,225 — 1,857th highest in the South
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Source: Joel Pacheco, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
6. Mila Doce, Texas
> Median home value: $50,700
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 94.4% — 4th highest in the South
> Median household income: $24,583 — 2,335th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -4.5% — 385th highest in the South
> Population: 5,947 — 2,118th highest in the South
Source: Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
5. Sinton, Texas
> Median home value: $50,200
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 81.7% — 16th highest in the South
> Median household income: $30,048 — 2,259th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -3.5% — 382nd highest in the South
> Population: 5,504 — 2,210th highest in the South
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4. Marlin, Texas
> Median home value: $49,900
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 83.7% — 14th highest in the South
> Median household income: $21,667 — 2,347th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -3.4% — 380th highest in the South
> Population: 5,607 — 2,194th highest in the South
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3. Crystal City, Texas
> Median home value: $48,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 86.2% — 11th highest in the South
> Median household income: $34,797 — 2,106th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -1.0% — 334th highest in the South
> Population: 7,310 — 1,839th highest in the South
Source: milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images
2. Raymondville, Texas
> Median home value: $47,000
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 88.0% — 9th highest in the South
> Median household income: $29,750 — 2,266th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: -1.5% — 349th highest in the South
> Population: 11,021 — 1,348th highest in the South
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Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
1. Zephyrhills South, Florida
> Median home value: $30,300
> Homes worth less than $100,000: 84.1% — 13th highest in the South
> Median household income: $33,923 — 2,130th highest in the South
> 5-year pop. change: +5.2% — 238th highest in the South
> Population: 5,637 — 2,188th highest in the South
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