College towns have long been known for their youthful energy, fun cultural scenes, and strong communities. With such great qualities, these towns sound like they should be full of expensive homes. But it may surprise many homebuyers that these areas can be surprisingly affordable. While property in major urban cities continues to see sky-high prices, certain university towns offer rare opportunities for budget-friendly housing. With university-driven economies and walkable neighborhoods, these towns provide an appealing lifestyle without the financial strain of larger cities.
Exploring college towns with shockingly affordable homes shows us that over-priced homes in aren’t the only option left in the United States. As a bonus, many of these college communities have bustling arts scenes, active downtowns, and access to world-class libraries. These underrated college towns prove that affordability doesn’t mean you have to settle for a diminished quality of life. Check out the areas that offer culturally rich communities for a price that won’t equate to bankruptcy.
To compile a list of college towns with shockingly affordable homes, 24/7 Tempo.com reviewed five-year data on median household value and median household income from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Cities, towns, and Census-designated places were ranked based on the ratio of median home value to median household income.
50. Cape Girardeau, Missouri
- Median home value: $177,500 (3.4 times income)
- Median household income: $51,671
- Total population: 39,795
49. Middletown, Connecticut
- Median home value: $257,800 (3.4 times income)
- Median household income: $75,120
- Total population: 48,152
48. Waterville, Maine
- Median home value: $154,400 (3.4 times income)
- Median household income: $45,208
- Total population: 15,785
47. Moorhead, Minnesota
- Median home value: $234,300 (3.4 times income)
- Median household income: $68,680
- Total population: 44,443
46. Winona, Minnesota
- Median home value: $176,600 (3.4 times income)
- Median household income: $52,500
- Total population: 26,083
45. Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $220,100 (3.3 times income)
- Median household income: $66,640
- Total population: 11,805
44. Tahlequah, Oklahoma
- Median home value: $163,300 (3.3 times income)
- Median household income: $49,444
- Total population: 16,389
43. Duluth, Minnesota
- Median home value: $209,800 (3.3 times income)
- Median household income: $63,545
- Total population: 86,772
42. Maryville, Missouri
- Median home value: $162,100 (3.3 times income)
- Median household income: $49,144
- Total population: 10,691
41. Stevens Point, Wisconsin
- Median home value: $176,400 (3.3 times income)
- Median household income: $53,611
- Total population: 25,549
40. Champaign, Illinois
- Median home value: $191,200 (3.3 times income)
- Median household income: $58,273
- Total population: 88,628
39. Glassboro, New Jersey
- Median home value: $256,900 (3.3 times income)
- Median household income: $78,518
- Total population: 23,014
38. Kirksville, Missouri
- Median home value: $133,100 (3.2 times income)
- Median household income: $41,089
- Total population: 17,533
37. St. Peter, Minnesota
- Median home value: $217,400 (3.2 times income)
- Median household income: $67,255
- Total population: 12,039
36. Troy, New York
- Median home value: $177,100 (3.2 times income)
- Median household income: $54,837
- Total population: 51,268
35. Keene, New Hampshire
- Median home value: $221,400 (3.2 times income)
- Median household income: $69,381
- Total population: 22,907
34. Edwardsville, Illinois
- Median home value: $277,000 (3.2 times income)
- Median household income: $87,094
- Total population: 26,622
33. Plattsburgh, New York
- Median home value: $172,900 (3.1 times income)
- Median household income: $55,049
- Total population: 19,907
32. Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Median home value: $152,700 (3.1 times income)
- Median household income: $48,649
- Total population: 73,342
31. Indiana, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $124,100 (3.1 times income)
- Median household income: $40,013
- Total population: 14,082
30. Lubbock, Texas
- Median home value: $181,600 (3.1 times income)
- Median household income: $58,734
- Total population: 258,190
29. Berea, Kentucky
- Median home value: $167,200 (3.1 times income)
- Median household income: $54,481
- Total population: 15,404
28. Bourbonnais, Illinois
- Median home value: $238,000 (3.1 times income)
- Median household income: $77,738
- Total population: 18,125
27. Normal, Illinois
- Median home value: $194,400 (3.0 times income)
- Median household income: $63,965
- Total population: 52,920
26. Macomb, Illinois
- Median home value: $103,800 (3.0 times income)
- Median household income: $35,064
- Total population: 15,207
25. Meadville, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $136,200 (3.0 times income)
- Median household income: $46,157
- Total population: 12,929
24. Huntington, West Virginia
- Median home value: $114,800 (2.9 times income)
- Median household income: $39,066
- Total population: 46,637
23. Canyon, Texas
- Median home value: $198,600 (2.9 times income)
- Median household income: $67,631
- Total population: 15,089
22. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $171,800 (2.9 times income)
- Median household income: $60,187
- Total population: 303,843
21. Williamsport, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $136,400 (2.8 times income)
- Median household income: $48,388
- Total population: 27,755
20. Binghamton, New York
- Median home value: $117,400 (2.8 times income)
- Median household income: $42,031
- Total population: 47,617
19. Pella, Iowa
- Median home value: $240,100 (2.8 times income)
- Median household income: $86,025
- Total population: 10,556
18. Oneonta, New York
- Median home value: $170,900 (2.7 times income)
- Median household income: $62,188
- Total population: 14,097
17. Syracuse, New York
- Median home value: $117,900 (2.7 times income)
- Median household income: $43,584
- Total population: 146,134
16. Waverly, Iowa
- Median home value: $211,000 (2.7 times income)
- Median household income: $78,278
- Total population: 10,399
15. Marshall, Missouri
- Median home value: $137,100 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $52,171
- Total population: 13,687
14. Carnot-Moon, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $231,900 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $89,573
- Total population: 13,345
13. Charleston, Illinois
- Median home value: $122,700 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $47,533
- Total population: 17,795
12. Tiffin, Ohio
- Median home value: $123,600 (2.5 times income)
- Median household income: $48,869
- Total population: 17,894
11. Emporia, Kansas
- Median home value: $125,200 (2.5 times income)
- Median household income: $49,661
- Total population: 24,118
10. Portales, New Mexico
- Median home value: $124,000 (2.5 times income)
- Median household income: $49,313
- Total population: 12,085
9. Brent, Florida
- Median home value: $106,500 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $44,053
- Total population: 22,969
4. University Heights, Ohio
- Median home value: $209,800 (2.3 times income)
- Median household income: $91,960
- Total population: 13,649
3. Atchison, Kansas
- Median home value: $113,900 (2.3 times income)
- Median household income: $50,344
- Total population: 10,834
2. Muncie, Indiana
- Median home value: $88,000 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $40,309
- Total population: 65,167
1. Geneva, New York
- Median home value: $123,100 (1.9 times income)
- Median household income: $63,602
- Total population: 12,670
The image featured at the top of this post is ©"Skydeck Restaurant Birdseye View of Downtown Kalamazoo Photo by Michigan Municipal League" by Michigan Municipal League (MML) is licensed under BY-ND 2.0..