{"id":98918,"date":"2026-05-18T14:15:17","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T21:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=98918"},"modified":"2026-05-26T10:32:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T17:32:28","slug":"most-affordable-cities-in-the-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/most-affordable-cities-in-the-us\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 Most Affordable Cities in the U.S. in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><b>Key takeaways<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/5665\/MI\/Detroit\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Detroit<\/b><\/a><b>, <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/15702\/PA\/Pittsburgh\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Pittsburgh<\/b><\/a><b>, and <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/16661\/MO\/St-Louis\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>St. Louis<\/b><\/a><b> are the most affordable cities in the U.S.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, balancing relatively high incomes and low housing costs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Midwest and Northeast are home to all of the cheapest places to live\u2014although they are also becoming increasingly competitive.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home prices are still rising in many parts of the country, but slower growth is helping affordability improve in some markets. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Housing affordability remains one of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/opub\/ted\/2026\/housing-and-transportation-accounted-for-50-percent-of-household-spending-in-2024.htm\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">biggest challenges<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for Americans in 2026. Home prices grew exponentially during the pandemic housing boom, and while price growth has since slowed, a majority of people are still spending an outsized share of their income on housing. In fact, the typical homebuyer today spends about 40% of their income on monthly housing payments\u2014<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jchs.harvard.edu\/blog\/home-price-income-ratio-reaches-record-high-0\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">well above<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the traditional affordability benchmark.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, some cities are far more affordable than others. In many Midwest and Northeast metros, lower home prices and relatively strong local incomes keep homeownership within reach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, which U.S. cities are still affordable, and where is affordability improving? Let\u2019s take a look at the most affordable places to live in and buy a house in 2026\u2014where housing remains reasonably priced and the cost of living is more manageable.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"datawrapper-vis-uHvee\" style=\"min-height: 822px;\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\" defer src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/uHvee\/embed.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" data-target=\"#datawrapper-vis-uHvee\"><\/script><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/uHvee\/full.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>The 10 most affordable cities in the U.S.<\/b><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Detroit, MI<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>77.5% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +5.5% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $65,687<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $211,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,200\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$51,489<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">23.5%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1% lower than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detroit, the automobile mecca turned <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2025\/jan\/04\/detroit-revitalization\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comeback city<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, is the most affordable city in the U.S. It\u2019s so affordable largely because it&#8217;s still recovering from decades of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.economyleague.org\/resources\/detroit-past-and-future-shrinking-city\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">economic and population decline<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which culminated in bankruptcy in 2013.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, rent and house prices are far below national rates, and the typical salary generously covers the standard monthly housing payment. Affordability improved in the last year, but house prices are now climbing as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/hottest-neighborhood-2026\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">demand rises<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/5665\/MI\/Detroit\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detroit homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/michigan\/detroit-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detroit houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Michigan\/Detroit\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detroit apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-97596\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_1570338235-1.jpg\" alt=\"most-affordable-cities-in-the-us-1\" width=\"945\" height=\"631\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_1570338235-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_1570338235-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_1570338235-1-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_1570338235-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_1570338235-1-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_1570338235-1-944x630.jpg 944w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_1570338235-1-449x300.jpg 449w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. St. Louis, MO<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>66.9% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +6.4% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $88,593<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$282,600<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,245<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$71,407<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 24.2%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11% lower than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">St. Louis sits in a sweet spot for big-city living without the steep price tag. You can catch a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium, tour craft breweries, or explore an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stlmag.com\/culture\/visual-arts\/St-Louis-works-of-art-everyone-in-the-city%20must%20experience\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arts scene<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> spanning the Delmar Loop to Grand Center.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But what really hooks newcomers is St. Louis\u2019s Midwest friendliness and affordability. The city has an especially low <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/cost-of-living-calculator\/st-louis-mo-il\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cost of living<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with housing, healthcare, everyday errands, and nights on the town all running 7-21% below the national average.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/16661\/MO\/St-Louis\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">St. Louis homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/missouri\/saint-louis-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">St. Louis houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Missouri\/Saint-Louis\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">St. Louis apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-96988\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_110237261.jpg\" alt=\"Pittsburgh pa city apartments and houses\" width=\"945\" height=\"626\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_110237261.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_110237261-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_110237261-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_110237261-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_110237261-226x150.jpg 226w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_110237261-951x630.jpg 951w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_110237261-453x300.jpg 453w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Pittsburgh, PA<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>64.8% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +1.2% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $83,419<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$265,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,525<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$67,470<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 24.3%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8% lower than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pittsburgh is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-in-pennsylvania\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">best place to live in Pennsylvania<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a reason. Once defined by steel mills, it\u2019s now home to cutting-edge tech companies and a growing population\u2014while remaining the third-cheapest housing market in the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In recent years, Pittsburgh has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.publicsource.org\/higher-costs-have-pittsburghers-asking-for-more-affordablility\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gotten more expensive<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as demand for lower-cost housing eats away at the city\u2019s supply. Still, the Steel City is far more affordable than most places in the U.S., and is a great option for those looking for more space and lower housing costs than nearby East Coast cities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/15702\/PA\/Pittsburgh\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pittsburgh homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/pennsylvania\/pittsburgh-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pittsburgh houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Pennsylvania\/Pittsburgh\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pittsburgh apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-96997 size-blog-post\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1632176533-1-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"cleveland parks and recreation\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1632176533-1-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1632176533-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1632176533-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1632176533-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1632176533-1-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1632176533-1-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1632176533-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Cleveland, OH<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>62.7% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +3.6% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $78,519<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$255,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,225<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$67,545<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 25.8%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7% lower than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cleveland is shedding its Rust Belt image, boasting an economy powered by healthcare, tech, and finance\u2014and housing that won\u2019t sink your budget. Whether it\u2019s a revitalized Victorian in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/neighborhood\/150814\/OH\/Cleveland\/Ohio-City\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ohio City<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or a modern loft near Lake Erie, Cleveland\u2019s housing market is hard to beat. Combined with a low <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/cost-of-living-calculator\/cleveland-oh\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cost of living<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and solid median income, it&#8217;s clear why Cleveland is among the most affordable cities in the U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/4145\/OH\/Cleveland\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cleveland homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/ohio\/cleveland-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cleveland houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Ohio\/Cleveland\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cleveland apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-98919\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2347845169.jpg\" alt=\"most-affordble-cities-in-the-us-3\" width=\"945\" height=\"532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2347845169.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2347845169-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2347845169-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2347845169-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2347845169-267x150.jpg 267w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2347845169-1120x630.jpg 1120w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shutterstock_2347845169-533x300.jpg 533w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Warren, MI<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>61.3% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +7.7% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $96,676<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$325,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,400<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$79,594<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 24.7%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1% lower than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just north of Detroit, Warren might not get the same buzz as its big-city neighbor. But, with relatively affordable housing, above-average incomes, and plenty of attractions, there\u2019s a reason the city is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityofwarren.org\/warren-still-3rd-largest-city-in-the-state-of-michigan-1-in-macomb-county\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more popular<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> than most in Michigan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like Detroit, Warren experienced a significant decline in the 2000s-2010s, leaving many homes empty and a downtown in need of refresh. But thanks to a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityofwarren.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Warren-Master-Plan_ADOPTED_01-12-2021_compressed.pdf\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">concerted effort<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to bring the automobile industry back to the area\u2014with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/technology-science-business-michigan-environment-and-nature-460f843ebabeee6d16f8ff8395de8cdd\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">focus on EVs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014the city has started on a new path of revitalization. As part of its efforts, Warren is pushing to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/detroit\/news\/city-of-warren-looks-to-develop-surrounding-city-hall-land\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build its own downtown<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/20734\/MI\/Warren\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warren homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/michigan\/warren-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warren houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Michigan\/Warren\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warren apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-89499\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1732521601.jpg\" alt=\"inner-harbor-baltimore\" width=\"945\" height=\"531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1732521601.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1732521601-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1732521601-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1732521601-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1732521601-267x150.jpg 267w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1732521601-1122x630.jpg 1122w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-1732521601-534x300.jpg 534w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Baltimore, MD<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>60.9% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +4.2% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $112,328<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$399,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,650<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$99,471<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 26.6%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similar to the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baltimore could be the perfect fit for those looking for lower-cost housing in a bustling East Coast metro. Traditional row houses in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/baltimore-md-neighborhoods\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">neighborhoods<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like Canton or Federal Hill still come at manageable prices, and the revitalized waterfront buzzes with fresh dining and entertainment options.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compared to nearby East Coast cities like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/12839\/DC\/Washington-DC\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Washington, D.C.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/15502\/PA\/Philadelphia\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Philadelphia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Baltimore buyers can often get more space for less money.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/1073\/MD\/Baltimore\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baltimore homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/maryland\/baltimore-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baltimore houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Maryland\/Baltimore\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baltimore apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-89979 size-blog-post\" style=\"font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-506576553-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-506576553-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-506576553-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-506576553-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-506576553-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-506576553-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-506576553-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GettyImages-506576553.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Indianapolis, IN<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>60.9% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +4.8% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $90,927<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$315,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,500<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$79,398<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 26.2%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10% lower than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indianapolis is an attractive choice for those seeking urban life without the high price tag. Local wages generally surpass what\u2019s needed to afford a typical monthly house payment. Plus <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/cost-of-living-calculator\/indianapolis-in\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower-than-average<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> grocery and utility costs help make Indy among the most affordable places to live and buy a house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, like nearly every city in America, housing affordability has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prosperityindiana.org\/Policy-News\/13605138\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">declined<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for Indianapolis\u2019 lower income population, as economic struggles weigh on the more vulnerable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/9170\/IN\/Indianapolis\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indianapolis homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/indiana\/indianapolis-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indianapolis houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Indiana\/Indianapolis\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indianapolis apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-88861 size-blog-post\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/flor-najera-Ng9l4V03WTE-unsplash-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"Neighborhood in Cincinnati, OH\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/flor-najera-Ng9l4V03WTE-unsplash-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/flor-najera-Ng9l4V03WTE-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/flor-najera-Ng9l4V03WTE-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/flor-najera-Ng9l4V03WTE-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/flor-najera-Ng9l4V03WTE-unsplash-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/flor-najera-Ng9l4V03WTE-unsplash-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/flor-najera-Ng9l4V03WTE-unsplash.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. Cincinnati, OH<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>55.6% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +1.3% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $89,002<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$313,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,410<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$78,598<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 26.5%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3% lower than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cincinnati may be a former Rust Belt city, but today it\u2019s an affordable metro <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clevelandfed.org\/regional-analysis\/cincinnati-retrospective\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">embracing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> growth and modernization. Revitalization plays a large role in residents\u2019 lives, as the city pushes to improve infrastructure and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cincinnati.com\/story\/money\/2024\/01\/15\/how-does-cincinnatis-economy-compare-to-other-cities\/72153658007\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">spur economic growth<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Today, Cincy is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dispatch.com\/story\/news\/2025\/02\/27\/cincinnati-tops-columbus-in-number-of-employees-and-gdp-per-huntington\/80694707007\/?gnt-cfr=1&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=false&amp;gca-epti=z1135xxp000850c000850e1135xxv000848&amp;gca-ft=148&amp;gca-ds=sophi&amp;utm_campaign=baseline_greeting&amp;utm_content=ncod-columbus-nletter02&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=dispatch-afternoon-update-strada&amp;utm_term=hero\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">leading employment hub<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Ohio.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond economics, the recently-completed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/downtowncincinnati.com\/districts\/over-the-rhine\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over-the-Rhine project<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> transformed Cincinnati\u2019s downtown into a shopping and entertainment destination, while the Ohio Riverfront <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnu.org\/publicsquare\/2024\/04\/16\/how-cincinnati%E2%80%99s-riverfront-was-transformed\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gained a hip new neighborhood<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, called The Banks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/3879\/OH\/Cincinnati\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cincinnati homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/ohio\/cincinnati-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cincinnati houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Ohio\/Cincinnati\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cincinnati apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-97128\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1395676355.jpg\" alt=\"chicago river walk\" width=\"945\" height=\"509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1395676355.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1395676355-300x162.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1395676355-1024x551.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1395676355-768x413.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1395676355-279x150.jpg 279w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1395676355-1170x630.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shutterstock_1395676355-557x300.jpg 557w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. Chicago, IL<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>55.1% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +13.4% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $98,502<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$390,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$2,045<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$92,332<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 28.1%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18% higher than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chicago\u2019s sprawling footprint is home to everything from world-famous art, to iconic skyscrapers, to quaint lakeside parks. But, because of its size, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/cost-of-living-calculator\/chicago-il\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cost of living<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> varies widely depending on where you live. House prices reach into the millions in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/chicago-il-neighborhoods\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">neighborhoods<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like Winnetka and Gold Coast, for example, while Avalon Park and Cottage Grove Heights are much more affordable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless, strong median incomes and home prices that are relatively low for a major metro are how Chicago earned its number nine spot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/29470\/IL\/Chicago\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chicago homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/illinois\/chicago-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chicago houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Maryland\/Baltimore\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baltimore apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-81865 size-blog-post\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Minneapolis-neighborhood-GI-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"Minneapolis neighborhood\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Minneapolis-neighborhood-GI-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Minneapolis-neighborhood-GI-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Minneapolis-neighborhood-GI-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Minneapolis-neighborhood-GI-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Minneapolis-neighborhood-GI-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Minneapolis-neighborhood-GI-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Minneapolis-neighborhood-GI.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. Minneapolis, MN<\/span><\/h2>\n<h6><b>54.7% of homes affordable on area\u2019s median income | +6.1% year over year<\/b><\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Median household income<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: $108,714<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median sale price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$393,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Median rent price<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$1,645<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Income needed to afford median-priced home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$99,025<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share of income needed to afford a typical home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 27.3%<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Cost of living<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8% lower than the national average<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minneapolis is among the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/most-walkable-cities-in-the-us\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most walkable<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/most-bikeable-cities-in-the-us\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bikeable<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cities in the U.S., but it also stands out for its affordability. Buoyed by a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatermsp.org\/doing-business-here\/major-employers\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wide variety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of major employers, above-average median incomes, and an array of housing options in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/minneapolis-mn-neighborhoods\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">neighborhoods<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like Bryn-Mawr and Phillips, it\u2019s not a major challenge finding a home within budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/10943\/MN\/Minneapolis\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minneapolis homes for sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/minnesota\/minneapolis-houses\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minneapolis houses for rent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Minnesota\/Minneapolis\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minneapolis apartments for rent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why is the Midwest so affordable?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Midwest and Northeast are home to a majority of the most affordable housing markets in the U.S., with most clustered around the Great Lakes. These areas remain relatively affordable in large part because of their economic past. Decades of industrial decline from the 1960s through the 2010s dampened home values and slowed population growth, leading many to be labeled \u201cRust Belt\u201d cities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, as affordability has become increasingly strained nationwide, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/most-competitive-housing-markets-2025\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">many homebuyers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are now flocking to these once-overlooked metros in search of lower-cost options. This shift has led to a surge in demand and renewed momentum for revitalization efforts. But with demand rising against a limited and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/aging-housing-inventory\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">aging housing supply<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, prices are now climbing faster than the national average.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How much home can you afford?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts generally suggest spending less than 30% of your income on housing, but in today&#8217;s market, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jchs.harvard.edu\/state-nations-housing-2025\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most households<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> spend more than that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless, it\u2019s important to determine how much home you can afford. Here are a few tools to help:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Redfin\u2019s <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Affordability Calculator<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help estimate how much house you can afford based on your income, debts, and down payment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Redfin\u2019s <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/mortgage-calculator\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Mortgage Calculator<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> helps provide a complete picture of what your monthly housing payments could be.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Redfin\u2019s <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/how-much-rent-can-i-afford\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Rental Affordability Calculator<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help estimate how much rent fits your budget, while the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/rent-vs-buy-calculator\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>Rent vs. Buy Calculator<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> compares the costs of renting and owning.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you decide you\u2019re ready to enter the market, make sure to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/mortgage-pre-approval\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get pre-approved<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a mortgage to get the ball rolling smoothly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>&gt;&gt; Looking for more affordable options? <\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out<\/span><\/i> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/cheapest-states-to-buy-a-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cheapest states to buy a house<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/cities-that-pay-you-to-move-there\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cities that pay you to move there<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Methodology<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rankings are based on an April 2026 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/income-needed-to-buy-home-declines\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redfin analysis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of housing affordability across the 50 largest U.S. core-based statistical areas (\u201ccities,\u201d \u201dmetros\u201d). The analysis focused on the share of active listings that are affordable to someone earning the area&#8217;s median income. A home was considered \u201caffordable\u201d if its corresponding monthly payment was no more than 30% of median monthly earnings, assuming a 20% down payment, typical taxes and fees, and a 30-year mortgage. Cities with the highest share of affordable listings ranked as the most affordable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All housing data came from a Redfin analysis of MLS and U.S. Census data. Rental data came from Zillow. Cost-of-living data came from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.coli.org\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Cost of Living Index (COLI)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the Council for Community and Economic Research. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detroit\u2019s cost of living was also used for Warren due to insufficient data.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These cities have everything you need without breaking the bank. Discover the most affordable cities in the U.S. to live and buy a house. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":559,"featured_media":98920,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34276],"tags":[34529,34630,559,34453],"coauthors":[34342],"class_list":["post-98918","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-a-home","tag-buying-faq","tag-homeownership-costs-and-benefits","tag-moving","tag-national"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Most Affordable Cities in the U.S. in 2026 | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"These cities have everything you need without breaking the bank. 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