Your Guide To The Best Cities To Buy A House In 2024

As more and more people have the option to work remotely, many families are opening their eyes to the opportunity that may come from moving to a lower cost of living area. Imagine the impact on your life that could be had by significantly decreasing your housing and other basic costs of living. It could really change your life!

We have researched and analyzed the best cities to buy a house with low home prices, costs of living and property taxes. These midsize suburbs are full of possibility, if you can find one that might be the right fit for you.

Looking to buy a house in a new city We’ve created a list of the best cities to buy a house in 2024 with all the characteristics that make them so desirable.

Where Is The Best City For You To Buy A House? Factors To Consider

It’s easy to vacation somewhere and have fantasies about making it your year-round home. But, there are some practical, economic factors that you should consider before you decide the best city to buy a house, such as:

• Home prices: Affordable home prices can make an area more desirable. Depending on where you are moving from, you might be able to really upgrade your living situation by moving to a location with low home prices.
• Cost of living: Cost of living can have a dramatic effect on your day-to-day budget, and on your income. If you are planning to get an in-person job in the city where you live, pay specific attention to cost of living when it comes to costs and salaries.
• Property taxes: High property taxes can add a significant cost to your monthly mortgage. On the other hand, some states have no property tax. It’s important to understand the difference and know how it will affect your overall budget.
• Unemployment rate: If you need to find a job when you move, it’s important to understand the current local job economy. Knowing the unemployment rate will give you an idea of how easy or difficult it might be to get a job.

Top 15 Best Cities To Buy A Home

Here are some of the best cities to buy a home in the United States. This list was developed using the most recent data on seven key local metrics. The metrics used in this study include median sale price, housing cost-to-income ratio, cost of living, property tax rate, unemployment rate, number of homeowners and 5-year home value growth.

We analyzed the 478 cities across the U.S. with Rocket Homes^SM listings, which account for 71% of the U.S. population. Each data category was normalized and transformed into a range of points for scoring and comparison. Cities with violent crime rates greater than or equal to 55 and property crime rates greater than or equal to 65 were removed from the ranking.

Weights were then applied to each metric depending on their individual importance in the study. The weighted scores for each metric were summed to create the overall Best Place To Buy A House Score for each city. The final scores are sorted to produce the final rankings.

1. Rogers, Arkansas

Population: 292,200

Median home sold price: $376,705

Median income: $81,770

Homeownership rate: 64.4%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 70.3%

Rogers is a midsized city near Fayetteville, Arkansas. It is best known for being the original home to Walmart. While the Walmart headquarters moved to nearby Bentonville, it is still a large source of employment for the area.

This city has affordable housing and a high home ownership rate. Plus, it is a part of the Ozark Mountains and has beautiful scenery, which is great if you like to spend time outdoors.

If you are looking for a quiet, suburban area with beautiful natural scenery and plenty of jobs nearby, Rogers might be a great option for you.

2. Springdale, Arkansas

Population: 256,600

Median home sold price: $320,012

Median income: $59,027

Homeownership rate: 51.3%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 77.7%

The second city to buy a home in comes in just 20 minutes down the road in Springdale, Arkansas. While they are close to each other, Springdale has a lower median income, homeownership rate and median home price, and therefore is considered a lower cost alternative to Rogers.

Springdale is even closer to Fayetteville than Rogers is and gives great access to the amenities of the city. If you are interested in Arkansas and are looking for a suburban feel for a lower cost, check out Springdale.

3. Jonesboro, Arkansas

Population: 222,200

Median home sold price: $209,950

Median income: $61,057

Homeownership rate: 57.3%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 45.2%

Third on our list is also in Arkansas, but closer to the Missouri border. Jonesboro is home to Arkansas State University, which has led to a variety of cultural and recreational activities downtown as well. The city's low cost of living means that housing, utilities, groceries and other expenses are more affordable compared to many other parts of the country.

Jonesboro is a safe, low cost of living place to live. For outdoor enthusiasts, there is great hiking and biking in nearby Craighead Forest Park. If you are looking for a simple and affordable town to settle down in, Jonesboro could be a great choice.

4. Nampa, Idaho

Population: 373,300

Median home sold price: $306,582

Median income: $71,060

Homeownership rate: 73.7%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 118.2%

Nampa is a city in western Idaho. It is considered a middle class suburb of Boise and has very affordable housing and cost of living. This affordability goes beyond the housing market, as the overall cost of living in Nampa is notably lower than many other parts of the United States. This makes Nampa a good option for those looking to stretch their dollar further without sacrificing quality of life.

However, beware of Idaho winters! Nampa gets an average of over 19 inches of snow a year, which might not be for everyone. Be sure you are ready for the cold before you choose to buy property in this state.

5. Pueblo, Colorado

Population: 258,400

Median home sold price: $324,975

Median income: $51,697

Homeownership rate: 62.3%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 85.2%

Pueblo is a suburb of Colorado Springs in Colorado. There are lots of public parks and outdoor activities for residents to take advantage of. The moderate climate is a significant draw for individuals and families who appreciate the outdoors but wish to avoid the extreme weather conditions that can affect other parts of Colorado.

Compared to other areas in Colorado, Pueblo offers a lower cost of living. The cost of purchasing a home is noticeably lower than in nearby Colorado Springs or Denver. This makes Pueblo an ideal choice for first-time home buyers, retirees looking for a budget-friendly location or anyone seeking the Colorado lifestyle without the high price tag.

6. Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Population: 297,600

Median home sold price: $269,000

Median income: $49,005

Homeownership rate: 44.8%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 74.5%

Down in the deep south, we have Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This is the home of the University of Alabama and a great place to live if you enjoy watching and being surrounded by college sports.

The city has a very low cost of housing and is an affordable place to live overall, though sales tax is 10%. Be sure to visit in the summer before buying property to ensure you can handle the heat and humidity; it is not for everyone.

7. Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Population: 306,700 

Median home sold price: $349,999 

Median income: $85,374

Homeownership rate: 84.5%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 63.2%

Rio Rancho is located just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The city's proximity to Albuquerque provides residents with easy access to shopping, dining, cultural attractions and entertainment options, while still maintaining the peace and quiet that comes with suburban living.

While the median home sales price is higher than some of the other cities on our list, the median income is higher as well. You can have beautiful views of the Sandia Mountains and enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities. If you want to live in New Mexico, Rio Rancho is a beautiful, affordable and safe place to buy a home.

8. Riverview, Florida

Population: 412,100 

Median home sold price: $152,000 

Median income: $98,470

Homeownership rate: 74.3%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 85.3%

Riverview is a suburb located about 30 minutes outside of Tampa, Florida. Located on the Alafia River, there are tons of outdoor recreational activities to enjoy all year long. Homes are inexpensive and the median income is relatively high, making it an affordable place to live.

If you are looking for year-round warm weather and you aren’t afraid of hurricane season, definitely consider Riverview.

9. Rock Hill, South Carolina

Population: 291,600

Median home sold price: $319,612

Median income: $62,589

Homeownership rate: 56.6%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 83.1%

Rock Hill is a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina, located just over the border in South Carolina. Rock Hill has beautiful rolling hills and gets to experience all four seasons of weather, without ever getting too extreme of temperatures. The city is home to many parks, trails and green spaces for outdoor activities.

While it has some of the higher cost housing on our list, Rock Hill is still a more affordable alternative to living in Charlotte or Greenville. This is a family-friendly area to live in and a great option if you want to buy a home in the Carolinas. 

10. St. Charles, Missouri

Population: 289,600

Median home sold price: $311,533

Median income: $85,798

Homeownership rate (last 5 years): 68.0%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 56.5%

St. Charles is located outside of St. Louis, Missouri. It is considered a safe area to live in and is beautiful due to its location on the Missouri River. There is a cute main street and beautiful, historic architecture downtown.

St. Charles is considered a small town and has a relatively low cost of living to go along with that. Despite its smaller size, St. Charles boasts a surprisingly active social and cultural scene. The city hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, from art fairs and music festivals to historical reenactments and holiday celebrations. If you are looking for a small town with a lot going on, consider buying a home in St. Charles.

11. Layton, Utah

Population: 491,100

Median home sold price: $523,000

Median income: $100,185

Homeownership rate: 72.6%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 94.6%

One of the largest cities on our list, Layton, Utah, is located between Salt Lake City and Hill Air Force Base. This city is known as a more upscale suburb and is very family friendly and has a slightly higher median home price and income to go along with that. If you are looking for somewhere very family friendly and a bit upscale, consider checking out Layton.

12. Gastonia, North Carolina

Population: 272,200

Median home sold price: $279,076

Median income: $58,745

Homeownership rate: 57.6%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 82.0%

Gastonia is a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina. Like many places on this list, it is considered a lower cost of living area that still has access to the amenities of the larger city. Gastonia is known for its great schools, family-friendly neighborhoods and many parks and outdoor activities.

Gastonia’s blend of affordability, community and accessibility to a larger city make it a great option for many families to buy a home.

13. Noblesville, Indiana

Population: 349,800

Median home sold price: $359,960 

Median income: $106,025 

Homeownership rate: 68.7%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 50.5%

Noblesville is a suburb of Indianapolis. The area is considered safe, diverse and welcoming. The area is convenient without being overly congested. There is also a cute and quaint town square downtown. The city provides easy access to walking trails, parks and waterways, where residents can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing and boating.

This city has a higher median income and home selling price but is still relatively affordable compared to the surrounding areas. Noblesville is a great option for well-rounded suburban living in the Indianapolis area.

14. Spring Hill, Florida

Population: 281,100

Median home sold price: $314,990

Median income: $62,670

Homeownership rate: 80.0%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 92.5%

Spring Hill is located just north of Tampa and is a super affordable place to buy a home in coastal Florida. This affordability factor extends beyond housing costs, as the area also boasts a lower cost of living in comparison to many other parts of the state, including groceries, utilities and transportation.

Spring Hill's location on Florida's Gulf Coast is perfect for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Residents can easily enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking, or simply relax and enjoy the sunsets on the beach.

If you want to live near the beach in Florida without a huge price tag, Spring Hill could be a great option for you.

15. Edmond, Oklahoma

Population: 345,100 

Median home sold price: $360,037

Median income: $102,896

Homeownership rate: 72.8%

Home appreciation rate (last 5 years): 48.2%

Edmond is a suburb of Oklahoma city and considered the best place to live in Oklahoma. It has a high safety rating and is very family friendly due to the top-rated public schools and a wide array of parks and recreational facilities.

The cost of living is good with the median home price in line with the median income. The housing market in Edmond is diverse, offering a range of options from starter homes to luxury properties, with something for everyone. For those considering a move to or within Oklahoma, Edmond could be a great, family friendly option.

More Of The Best Cities To Buy A House

Still not sure where to move? Check out the remainder of our list of the top 25 best cities to buy a house. While they didn’t make the top 15, they are still some great cities to research and consider!

The Bottom Line

Moving is a big deal. It’s important to choose a city that you love and that makes economic sense for your family. Take the time to research where you will be going to make sure that you’re choosing a new location with your brain, not just your heart. Once you are ready to move, connect with a real estate agent to help start the home buying process.

Methodology: Finding The Best Place To Buy A House In The US

Rocket Homes collected and analyzed the most recent data on seven key local metrics to give us insight into best places to buy a home in the U.S. We analyzed the 478 cities across the U.S. with Rocket Homes listings, which accounts for 71% of the U.S. population. The metrics used in this study include median sale price, housing cost to income ratio, cost of living, property tax rate, unemployment rate, number of homeowners and 5-year home value growth. These metrics were chosen based on public data availability and topical relevance. Metrics from the U.S. Census are based on 2022 ACS 1-year estimates.

Each data category was normalized and transformed into a range of points for scoring and comparison. Cities with violent crime rates greater than or equal to 55 and property crime rates greater than or equal to 65 were removed from the ranking. Weights were then applied to each metric depending on their individual importance in the study. The weighted scores for each metric were summed to create the overall Best Place To Buy A House Score for each city. The final scores are sorted to produce the final rankings.