Reading Time: 4 minutes 10 States the Average Buyer Can Still Afford a House
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We all know real estate is about location, location, location. But did you know that the same house in a different state could cost you an extra $1 million or more? A 2000-square-foot house in the least expensive state would cost $150,000 whereas the same house in the most expensive state would cost almost $1.3M
A new analysis by RubyHome reveals that West Virginia is where home buyers get the most house for their money. Next in line is Mississippi, and then Arkansas.
The study analyzed average prices for houses in each US state and compared it to the average size of homes for sale to discover which state offers the best deal when buying a house. This was then compared to the average household income to find the affordability of a home in each state.
According to RubyHome, West Virginia provides the best deal on both prices compared to the size and household income. The average price in the state is $129,103, and the average house size is 1,714 sq ft. The cost per square foot amounts to only $75 – the lowest in the US.
Compared to the average household income of $65,332, West Virginians have the best ratio of average earnings to property prices, with an average household income equivalent to 50.6% of the cost of a typical house. That makes it the only state in the study where the average income is more than half the average house price.
Second on the list is Mississippi, where the average price for a house is $157,828, and the average size is 1,879 sq ft, making the cost per sq ft $84. Mississippi’s average household income also compares favorably. It stands at $65,156, which is 41.28% of the state’s average house price, and the fifth most affordable ratio in the list.
Arkansas is third, with an average price of $169,867 and an average size of 1,792 sq ft. The cost per square foot amounts to $95. The state’s average household income is $69,357, equivalent to 40.83% of the average house price.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Most Affordable States To Buy A Home, Per Square Foot
According to RubyHome, these are the top ten most affordable states, ranked by price per square foot. Cost per square foot in parenthesis.
- West Virginia ($75 per square foot)
- Mississippi ($85)
- Arkansas ($95)
- Oklahoma ($98)
- Kentucky ($108)
- Alabama ($108)
- Kansas ($111)
- Louisiana ($115)
- Iowa ($118)
- Indiana ($121)
Andrew Herrig, a real estate investor and founder of Wealthy Nickel, noted an interesting trend in many lower-scoring states. “Many job-creation engines in the Sunbelt states did not make the top ten from an affordability perspective. However, states like Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia provide robust economies for job seekers while still providing relatively affordable housing.”
There is a balance between affordability and desirability. It’s important to understand that the cheapest option may not be the best over the long term. Housing prices are just one factor when considering where to live. Prices are driven by demand.
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The 10 Most Expensive States To Buy A Home
If your goal is to pay the least per square foot for your house, avoid these ten states.
- Montana ($239 per square foot)
- Idaho ($241)
- Rhode Island ($245)
- New Jersey ($254)
- Colorado ($263)
- Oregon ($282)
- Washington ($313)
- Massachusetts ($321)
- California ($468)
- Hawaii ($649)
John Dealbreuin, a real estate investor who lives in San Francisco and writes about personal finance at Financial Freedom Countdown, cautions about buying properties in California and Hawaii. John explains, “Although the average household income is higher, the debt-to-income ratio could become unsustainable with mortgage rates above 6%.”
Anonymous real estate blogger DadisFIRE was surprised that Montana and Idaho were considered so expensive. He elaborated, “It makes sense that states like Hawaii and California are very costly when ranking by square footage. Even Washington makes sense given Seattle’s real estate market. But I wouldn’t expect to see Montana or Idaho.”
He added, “It would be interesting to see this data normalized for acreage. A 1,000 square foot house sitting on a 5,000 acre ranch is not the same thing as a similar sized home on a quarter acre in Mississippi”
A Few Words Of Caution
Looking at data points from state to state is exciting and informative but should only be used as a guide. Education, career paths, and job growth are likely the best metrics for deciding where one chooses to live over the price per square foot of a home.
Andrew Karpiak, Real Estate Agent at Kamloops Living offers a word of caution. He explains, “Looking outside the top 10, it’s interesting to see the disparity In household income from state to state. New Mexico and New Jersey are great examples, with the price of a home in New Jersey almost double that of New Mexico, and yet you couldn’t pick two different states to live.”
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Greg is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 22+ years experience in Financial Services. He has held numerous FINRA Securities licenses (series 7, 63, 65, and 66), and is an expert on Investment Products and Financial Planning. Greg has 22+ years experience as a real estate investor and degrees in Psychology and Philosophy.
Greg has been quoted/interviewed in Yahoo Money, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, Authority Magazine, Realtor.com, Business Insider, and others.
Greg is an avid runner, and the father to identical twin girls and their awesome brother. His love of budgeting and his kids led him to join The Great Resignation in 2021.
Disclaimer: Any Financial Tips on ChaChingQueen are general and informational. Speak with a professional about your specific situation.