Top 10 Big Cities With the Most Affordable Home Prices Right Now

American homebuyers may be feeling like they’re out of options amid soaring housing prices, low inventory and elevated mortgage rates.

But a new ranking shows there are still some cities where the median home price is $300,000 or less — a steal when you consider the median throughout the U.S. right now is $431,000.

Real estate listing site Realtor.com looked at list prices in the 100 largest cities in October, including their surrounding suburbs and smaller urban areas, to find the cheapest markets for homebuyers.

Where homes cost under $300,000

The metropolitan areas listed in Realtor’s new ranking have some seriously affordable real estate, and shoppers can even find a home with a yard.

But buyer beware: The big cities with median home prices of $300,000 and under tend to be dealing with population decline stemming from economic hardship.

Buyers shouldn’t let that discourage them, especially if they’re determined to make a purchase in this era of high mortgage rates (the average rate is currently 7.4%), high home prices, high homeowners insurance costs and limited inventory.

The cities on the list, which are mostly in the Midwest and South, feature a low cost of living. They’ve largely been sheltered from the historic housing price surges that have affected most of the country in recent years. And while it’s true that these areas have been through some tough economic times, Realtor’s chief economist, Danielle Hale, says the majority have a below-average unemployment rate.

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The information on the daily averages includes financial product data that was in the MRC database at the time of publication. The assumptions used to calculate the rates are as follows: Rates are based on a $315,000 for conforming loans and $850,000 for non-conforming loans of an owner occupied, single-family residence with an 80% loan-to-value ratio, and rate lock ranging from 30 to 60 days. Rates are available for consumers for fico levels starting at 620 and up to 850. Rates are subject to change without notice. Quotes are for "no-cash-out" loans. All quotes are for products or loans that can be sold on the secondary market with no prepayment penalties nor negative amortization. Home Equity: The information on the daily averages includes financial product data that was in the Curinos database at the time of publication. Home Equity Loans - Rates are based on a fixed rate home equity loan for an owner-occupied residence, second lien, 15-year or 10- year repayment terms with an 80% loan-to-value ratio, Fico range of 740 and above, with a maximum loan amount of $50,000.00 . Home Equity Line of Credit - Rates are based on a variable rate, second lien revolving home equity line of credit for an owner-occupied residence with an 80% loan-to-value ratio, Fico range of 740 and above with a maximum line of credit of $50,000.00. Contact mediasupport@mortgageresearchcenter.com to have your rates included in this chart.

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10 big cities with low home prices

These are the 10 metro areas where the median list price was around $300,000 or less in October.

1. Toledo, Ohio (median list price: $205,725)
2. Scranton, Pennsylvania (median list price: $239,495)
3. Rochester, New York (median list price: $249,949)
4. Detroit, Michigan (median list price: $252,250)
5. St. Louis, Missouri (median list price: $277,000)
6. McAllen, Texas (median list price: $280,000)
7. Birmingham, Alabama (median list price: $294,825)
8. Little Rock, Arkansas (median list price: $295,000)
9. Wichita, Kansas (median list price: $298,950)
10. Baton Rouge, Louisiana (median list price: $301,954)

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