In 2022, the median home sales price nationwide jumped to $479,500 and gradually dropped to $416,100 by the middle of 2023. While home prices are at their highest in recent years, they fluctuate widely based on the area you’d like to reside in.
The positive side is that it’s possible to find a house below the median national price in over 100 metropolitan cities across the United States, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). We searched the data to discover five cities offering one-family homes for less than $300,000.
Where Can I Find a Home Under $300K?
Suppose you’re searching for a location to purchase the most affordable houses. In that case, your best bet is to go to a city within the Midwest. According to NAR, this region had theย lowest median sales price–$301,800–among all areas in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2023.
The Midwest also scored the highest in the NAR’s Affordability Index. This reveals the extent to which the average family has enough money to afford a mortgage in that area.
We searched for every U.S. metro area with a median price between $200,000 and $300,000. We then sifted through listings of homes and information about these locations to create five cities with families where you can purchase a house for less than $300,000. These cities are characterized by a substantial market for housing, desirable facilities and overall affordability.
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Median sales price –ย $257,600
Estimated mortgage payment –ย $1,986
Population –ย 106,095
According to NAR, the median price for single-family houses in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is $257,600. Prices for listings are increasing by 10.9 percent from the year before. This region’s properties have risen in price for the last three years. This is in your favor when you’re in the market to sell.
Homes priced between $200,000 and $300,000 range located in Green Bay typically come with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The bathroom space generally is 1,400 to two hundred acres or larger. It is common to find sprawling grasses well-managed and maintained with finished basements and modern bathrooms and kitchens.
Green Bay is strong in other regions as well. The rate of unemployment and the cost of living are lower than the national average. Plus, there’s plenty to do in the town despite the tiny population of around 106,000. Green Bay is home to the Green Bay Packers football team, has a vibrant art and entertainment scene, and is home to two colleges.
According to Niche.com, a neighborhood-based review and ranking site, the public K-12 schools in Green Bay get an overall B. There is a lot of crime in the area, which is one of the downsides; however, this area receives an overall C.
Albany, New York
Median sales price –ย $296,300
Estimated mortgage payment –ย $2,289
Population – 100,826
In the capital city of New York, We found that 339 homes had been sold within the $200,000 to $300,000 range over the last six months. NAR’s data show that the median home price for the second quarter was $296,300.
In this price range, homes typically have 3 bedrooms and 1.5 to two bathrooms. They are, on average, 1.4445 square feet. The homes listed on Realtor.com for this price were well-maintained but could benefit from modernization. In the middle of town, you’ll see turn-of-the-century brownstones – some of the one-bedroom homes have prices that are less than $300,000.
One of the strengths of Albany is its geographical location. Residents can travel from Montreal, New York City and Boston in just 3.5 hours. They can also go to the close Finger Lakes wine region and the Berkshires of Massachusetts. While job growth is not as high in Albany, unemployment is less than the national average.
The state’s capital city is thriving with many dining and entertainment options. While prices are higher than the national average, it’s cheaper than many nearby cities, like NYC. There are a few highly rated schools within the Albany region, too; however, Niche gave the public school system a C. Security and crime earned the same rating.
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Median sales price –ย $236,600
Estimated mortgage payment – $1,548
Population – 267,927
The average sales price for single-family homes in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is $236,600. Prices for listings are rising 5.9 percent over the previous year; however, prices are slowing down, according to data from NAR.
Homes in the $200,000 to $300,000 price bracket located in Fort Wayne typically come with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, which averages 2,008 square feet, and plenty of carpeting. A majority of homes listed on Realtor.com showcase huge backyards and additional homes. You may, however, discover less attractive features like bathrooms with carpet or walls adorned with plaid wallpaper or wooden panels.
Fort Wayne has a much lower cost of living than the rest of the country and is a fantastic option to purchase a home. Fort Wayne also has an art scene, various entertainment options, and long-term economic development plans that aim to revitalize the city.
Niche evaluates each city based on 12 aspects, including public schools, outdoor job opportunities, diversity, and nightlife. Fort Wayne received a B or higher on every single one of these, with the exception of the safety and crime index, which scored a C.
The rate of unemployment has risen in the city of Fort Wayne. However, the work marketplace has proved to be more stable than the average national. A majority of the people who live in the city are employed in utilities, transportation manufacturing, health and education.
Abilene, Texas
Median sales price –ย $235,100
Estimated mortgage payment –ย $1,841
Population –ย 127,385
The top state with the highest number of new constructions, Texas takes the No. 6 position with 9.01 homes constructed per 1,000 residents. Abilene has 52ย newly constructed homesย in the $200,000 to $300,000 range.
The houses in Abilene usually have 3 or 4 bedrooms and at least two bathrooms, with an average area of approximately 1,695 square feet. Brand-new homes in Abilene tend to be priced at the top of the price scale but usually come with wood, tile or laminate flooring and brand-new appliances.
The best things about Abilene include schools that are above average, lots of parks and only a three-to-four-hour drive fromย Dallas and Austinย and Austin, respectively. According to Niche, the job market here requires more work; however, Abilene generally ranks well in variety, weather, and commute time.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Median sales price –ย $225,900
Estimated mortgage payment –ย $1,620
Population – 302,898
A few of the most well-known towns in the U.S. offer homes within our $300K goal. You can purchase a reasonable single-family home in St. Louis, Pittsburgh,ย New Orleans,ย Cincinnati, Clevelandย and Memphis at the same price range. Although these cities have high marks for their quality of life, nightlife, and amenities, they score poorly in critical areas such as crime, school jobs, and the cost of living.
Pittsburgh is an exception to this category. Pittsburgh is regularly ranked among the top places to live and purchase a house within Pittsburgh in the U.S., and it is awarded a Niche overall grade of A. The city once referred to as “the center of the dying steel industry”–is becoming known as “Reinvention City,” according to U.S. News & World Report.ย
Pittsburgh is a center of science and technology and has thousands of acres of green space, three professional sports teams, and a wealth of events, museums, and eateries. The number of jobs is increasing on an upward trend, but NAR’s report suggests it requires an improvement.
The median price for single-family homes within Pittsburgh was $225,000. Many homes for sale today boast beautiful exteriors, newly renovated interiors, and additional backyard features like decks or fishing ponds. A few properties look so bad that they need to be updated before settling into.
Within the properties sold in the last six months within this price range, you’ll have homes with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a square footage 1,512. Additionally,ย new constructionย is booming in this area and could result in prices soaring as inventory increases.
How To Buy a House Under $300K
Properties under $300,000 are usually inexpensive, beautiful and well-maintained. Some, but not all, have modernization and stunning fixtures. Based on the area, it is possible to find a brand-new home at this price.
If you spot a desirable property at this price, you’ll have to make an offer as quickly as possible. A sluggish inventory in the nation has boosted competition for buyers. It has pushed prices up, and it could be challenging to get your offer accepted.
One disadvantage to buying a house at this price is that many homes still need modernization. Here are some characteristics we observed in homes in this price bracket:
- Older exterior siding
- Simple Landscaping
- Older interior flooring
- Carpeting wall-to-wall
- Appliances and kitchen cabinets that are outdated
- Crime rates are high for the city as a whole
A move-in-ready house at this price requires the assistance of a knowledgeable professional in real estate. Before contacting a real estate agent, outline what you want in a home. This could include the number of bathrooms and bedrooms, proximity to good schools, and whether you’re ready to buy a fixer. An agent with years of experience in the region can present new properties within your price range or homes that need to be added to the market.
If you come across a property you like but could benefit from some attention, consider taking out an FHA 203(k) loan. These loans allow you to borrow money to purchase a house and funds to renovate the property.
Home-Buying Tips
The best advice to buy an apartment is identical regardless of price. Here are some helpful tips if you’re making the first step towards homeownership:
Set a Budget
Based on one general rule of thumb, you should pay at most 28 percent of your income before the tax on your mortgage payment, along with 36% of your other debts. Therefore, if your household’s earnings are $100,000 per year, you can have a budget for your home at $2,333 per month or up to $3,000 if you don’t have any other debts. Aย calculator to calculate your home’s affordabilityย will allow you to estimate your budget.
Get Preapproved
The mortgage preapproval is a formal letter from a lender that outlines the amount you can take out based on information such as your credit score or income, reserve funds and other debts. When you contact the lender for preapproval, they’ll run an extensive credit check and scrutinize your financial records to establish a clear picture of your financial status. This helps you set the home purchase budget before considering houses. It can also help you enhance your offer for a home because the seller knows you have an excellent chance of getting the home loan you need.
Check Mortgage Rates
The interest rate on your mortgage will affect the amount you pay each month; therefore, you need to get an idea of current rates when establishing a budget. The advertised rates may only apply to those with the highest qualifications. Requesting an estimate of the rate from the lender is a good idea. This will allow you to better estimate your payment through theย mortgage calculator. If you locate a house you like, you can ask your lender for advice on locking the home’s mortgage rates.
Home-Buyer Assistance Programs
Homebuyer help programs can be designed to aid homeowners in finding the money to make an initial down payment and, in some instances, closing expenses. The money could be as grants that don’t need to be repayable or a cost-effective loan with flexible terms for repayment. These programs are accessible through certain nonprofit organizations as well as your state’s housing finance agency.
The lenders may also provide their own financial assistance or other loans with low down payments, including conventional loans that require 3percent down and FHA loans that require 3.5 percent down.
Alternatives to Houses Under $300K
We selected cities in which you can purchase a home within the $200,000-$300,000 price range. There are lots of homes for sale at less than 200K and less than $100K if you know where to go.
If you still need help finding a home that is appealing within your budget, look into condos. Condos tend to be cheaper than single-family homes and offer amenities in the neighborhood such as landscaping, maintenance of the outdoor area, and even utilities in certain instances. But, typically, you’ll pay a monthly charge to pay for the privileges.
