Loans Mortgages

15 Cities Where You Can Still Get a Starter Home Under $150,000

Prices are soaring, but there are still some cities where you can get a starter home for under $150,000.

Parents and child outside house
Updated Jan. 22, 2025
Fact checked

Are you struggling to find an affordable place to live? If so, you're not alone — but don't give up hope.

While the cost of housing is increasing nationwide and bidding wars are commonplace in some places, there are still areas where prices remain reasonable. In fact, there are cities where you can buy a house for under $150,000.

So, if you're on a tight budget or simply want to avoid spending a fortune on a house, check out this list of cities where you can still buy a home at a price you can afford.

Steal this billionaire wealth-building technique

The ultra-rich have also been investing in art from big names like Picasso and Bansky for centuries. And it's for a good reason: Contemporary art prices have outpaced the S&P 500 by 136% over the last 27 years.

A new company called Masterworks is now allowing everyday investors to get in on this type of previously-exclusive investment. You can buy a small slice of $1-$30 million paintings from iconic artists, all without needing any art expertise.

If you have at least $10k to invest and are ready to explore diversifying beyond stocks and bonds, see what Masterworks has on offer. (Hurry, they often sell out!)

Syracuse, New York

Wangkun Jia/Adobe Syracuse, New York

This city in central New York boasts beautiful architecture and a rich history. Several homes—including a three-bedroom, 1,416-square-foot home on a 5,400-square-foot lot—recently sold for under $150,000.

You may know this city for its legendary winters — it's one of the snowier cities in the country — but U.S. News and World Report ranked Syracuse as the second-best place to live in New York.

Want to learn how to build wealth like the 1%? Sign up for Worthy to get ideas and advice delivered to your inbox.

Detroit, Michigan

Molly/Adobe Detroit, Michigan

If you're looking for a deal on a fixer-upper, this is definitely the place to find it. There are plenty of abandoned homes in Detroit that you can buy for highly affordable prices. That said, be prepared to put in some work to get them livable.

Topeka, Kansas

Christopher Boswell/Adobe Topeka, Kansas

Many homes in Topeka are available for under $150,000, making them affordable for buyers. For example, a 1,385-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-bathroom home recently sold for under $100,000.

The city boasts of many festivals and several attractions, including the Kansas Children's Discovery Center, a hands-on children's museum, and the Heartland Motorsports Park, an amateur drag-racing facility.

Borrow up to $50k to finally crush your debt

If you have thousands in debt and you’re barely making it paycheck to paycheck, you know how suffocating it is. Debt is always on your mind. It controls your life. And even if you make on-time payments, they’re so expensive that you have nothing left over.

A personal loan could help you get out of this situation and lift your monthly debt burden significantly. You could finally pay off all of your debt at once, get rid of the sky-high interest rates, and slash your debt load to one manageable monthly payment.

AmONE is a marketplace where you can find some of the best personal loans available. They match you with loans up to $50,000 with rates as low as 2.49%. That’s better than most credit cards. And easier than draining your bank account every month. Seeing what you qualify for doesn’t affect your credit score, and if you’re approved, you could get money the next day.

See what you can get

Rockford, Illinois

maksymowicz/Adobe Mill in Rockford, Illinois

Rockford is another city where you may find homes for under $150,000. The median sale price in Rockford is $155,000, according to Redfin.

Located between but to the west of Chicago and Milwaukee, Rockford has a robust cultural scene and beautiful outdoor spaces. 

Here, you will find the Rockford Art Museum, the Burpee Museum of Natural History, the Anderson Japanese Gardens, and the Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens.

Little Rock, Arkansas

Stephen Finn/Adobe Little Rock, Arkansas

Sitting on the picturesque Arkansas River, this city has several attractions. These include the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. And, of course, you may find plenty of homes for under $150,000.

St. Petersburg, Florida

Aquarius/Adobe redington beach in st petersburg florida

This city is known for its beautiful beaches and unique museums, such as the Salvador Dali Museum and the Chihuly Collection. St. Petersburg also has affordable homes, with some three-bedroom homes selling for under $150,000.

Mesa, Arizona

phillips/Adobe Mesa, Arizona

Mesa is a suburb of Phoenix and is one of the largest cities in Arizona. This rapidly growing city has mild winters, making it a popular retirement destination. Mesa has many affordable homes, with smaller three-bedroom homes selling for under $150,000.

Fresno, California

Jacob/Adobe Fresno, California

Fresno is the fifth-largest city in California and is located in the Central Valley. The region is known for its agriculture, as it is one of the major producers of grapes, almonds, and other crops. 

Fresno also has many affordable homes, with three-bedroom houses selling for under $150,000.

Cleveland, Ohio

pabrady63/Adobe Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland is ‌on the shores of Lake Erie. It is home to several attractions, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. 

A three-bedroom, one-bathroom house with 1,492 square feet recently sold under $150,000 in Cleveland.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Louisville, Kentucky

Christopher Boswell/Adobe Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville also has a number of affordable homes. Recently, a home of over 1,600 square feet and three bedrooms sold for just under $150,000. Louisville is on the Ohio River and is home to the Kentucky Derby. 

The city also has unique museums, such as the Muhammad Ali Center and the Louisville Slugger Museum.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe oklahoma city oklahoma

Oklahoma is home to several attractions, including the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum. 

The city also has many affordable homes, and a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, 1,432-square-foot home recently sold for just over $100,000.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Tulsa, Oklahoma

If you're looking for an affordable city with a low cost of living, Tulsa is a great option. The city of homes for under $150,000 is known for its art déco architecture, museums, and art galleries.

Akron, Ohio

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Akron, Ohio

Akron is one of the more affordable cities in Ohio for homeownership. Located in northeastern Ohio, it's known for its museums and historical landmarks. 

Homes in this city are available for under $150,000, making it an excellent option for first-time homebuyers.

Wichita, Kansas

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Wichita, Kansas

Wichita is the largest city in Kansas, with a population of more than 350,000. Located in the south-central part of the state, it is known for its aerospace industry and museums. 

You may find plenty of affordable homes in Wichita, with several three-bedroom homes selling for under $150,000.

Dayton, Ohio

Katherine Welles/Adobe Dayton, Ohio

Dayton is in southwestern Ohio and is the sixth-largest city in the state. The city is home to several museums, historical landmarks, and the University of Dayton. A 1,500-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom house sold recently in Dayton for under $150,000.

Bottom line

Monkey Business/Adobe Family standing outside home

There are several affordable markets across the country for first-time homebuyers. By doing your research and looking for cities with lower prices, you may find a place to call home without breaking the bank.

Remember to stay up-to-date on prices in your area, as they can change quickly. 

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details