Towering peaks, crisp mountain air, and sweeping views often come at a hefty price, but not every breathtaking mountain escape has to drain your bank account. Across the country, an assortment of scenic mountain towns offers surprisingly affordable homes surrounded by natural beauty. These peaceful places provide an alternative to crowded cities and price gouging resorts. The locations on this list prove that paradise can still be within reach.
It is hard to believe that these homes amid snowcapped mountains and pine forests are actually affordable. These dreamy cozy communities define charm, recreation, and tranquility without the high-dollar price tag. Homes in these areas are ideal for anyone seeking adventure or serenity on a budget.
To find a scenic mountain paradise with affordable homes, we reviewed five-year data on median household value and median household income from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. Cities, towns, and Census-designated places were ranked based on the ratio of median home value to median household income.
Only places with at least 500 residents where at least 5% of housing units are vacant for seasonal or recreational use that intersect a mountain were considered. Mountain spatial boundaries are from the GMBA Mountain Inventory v2 of EarthEnv.
50. Ridgecrest, California
- Median home value: $224,600 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $85,872
- Total population: 28,118
49. Steele Creek, Alaska
- Median home value: $309,900 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $118,934
- Total population: 6,542
48. Cumberland, Maryland
- Median home value: $119,500 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $45,915
- Total population: 19,041
47. White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
- Median home value: $122,000 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $47,292
- Total population: 2,707
46. Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $125,700 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $48,776
- Total population: 76,119
45. Apple Mountain Lake, Virginia
- Median home value: $310,200 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $120,539
- Total population: 1,584
44. Cobleskill, New York
- Median home value: $168,800 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $65,610
- Total population: 4,152
43. Deltana, Alaska
- Median home value: $267,700 (2.5 times income)
- Median household income: $105,250
- Total population: 2,059
42. Lakemont, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $118,600 (2.5 times income)
- Median household income: $46,840
- Total population: 1,511
41. Pulaski, Virginia
- Median home value: $137,400 (2.5 times income)
- Median household income: $55,213
- Total population: 8,982
40. Keyser, West Virginia
- Median home value: $115,400 (2.5 times income)
- Median household income: $46,724
- Total population: 4,879
39. Nice, California
- Median home value: $170,600 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $69,653
- Total population: 2,389
38. Mount Union, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $93,600 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $38,382
- Total population: 2,130
37. Middlesborough, Kentucky
- Median home value: $87,000 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $35,798
- Total population: 9,383
36. Whitehall, New York
- Median home value: $96,400 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $40,294
- Total population: 2,166
35. Lewistown, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $86,500 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $36,166
- Total population: 8,522
34. Hinton, West Virginia
- Median home value: $85,400 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $35,735
- Total population: 2,167
33. Gorham, New Hampshire
- Median home value: $132,800 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $55,845
- Total population: 2,043
32. Jenkins, Kentucky
- Median home value: $61,300 (2.3 times income)
- Median household income: $26,500
- Total population: 1,862
31. La Vale, Maryland
- Median home value: $168,200 (2.3 times income)
- Median household income: $73,778
- Total population: 4,351
30. Powells Crossroads, Tennessee
- Median home value: $146,100 (2.3 times income)
- Median household income: $64,100
- Total population: 1,686
29. Ellenville, New York
- Median home value: $172,700 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $77,125
- Total population: 4,213
28. Berlin, New Hampshire
- Median home value: $93,200 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $41,638
- Total population: 9,485
27. Olyphant, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $132,200 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $60,120
- Total population: 5,372
26. Richwood, West Virginia
- Median home value: $68,000 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $30,962
- Total population: 2,567
25. Altoona, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $110,700 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $50,435
- Total population: 43,821
24. Warm Springs, Oregon
- Median home value: $129,200 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $59,167
- Total population: 2,453
23. Old Forge, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $156,300 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $71,615
- Total population: 8,506
22. Neah Bay, Washington
- Median home value: $137,500 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $63,750
- Total population: 1,081
21. Metlakatla, Alaska
- Median home value: $163,900 (2.1 times income)
- Median household income: $78,750
- Total population: 1,437
20. Marlinton, West Virginia
- Median home value: $82,000 (2.1 times income)
- Median household income: $39,643
- Total population: 1,139
19. Bluefield, West Virginia
- Median home value: $94,400 (2.1 times income)
- Median household income: $45,854
- Total population: 9,619
18. Saltville, Virginia
- Median home value: $84,900 (2.1 times income)
- Median household income: $41,339
- Total population: 2,085
17. Bowling Green, Maryland
- Median home value: $119,100 (2.0 times income)
- Median household income: $59,773
- Total population: 1,102
16. Parsons, West Virginia
- Median home value: $88,600 (1.9 times income)
- Median household income: $45,729
- Total population: 1,524
15. Dannemora, New York
- Median home value: $130,900 (1.9 times income)
- Median household income: $67,778
- Total population: 3,373
14. McClure, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $119,100 (1.9 times income)
- Median household income: $62,667
- Total population: 1,171
13. Patrick Springs, Virginia
- Median home value: $99,500 (1.9 times income)
- Median household income: $52,548
- Total population: 2,204
12. Renovo, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $54,400 (1.9 times income)
- Median household income: $28,750
- Total population: 1,081
11. Cumberland, Kentucky
- Median home value: $59,900 (1.8 times income)
- Median household income: $32,716
- Total population: 2,390
10. Covington, Virginia
- Median home value: $80,100 (1.8 times income)
- Median household income: $45,737
- Total population: 5,722
9. Westernport, Maryland
- Median home value: $83,500 (1.6 times income)
- Median household income: $50,938
- Total population: 1,993
8. Springville, Virginia
- Median home value: $65,700 (1.6 times income)
- Median household income: $41,250
- Total population: 1,017
7. East Carbon, Utah
- Median home value: $80,700 (1.5 times income)
- Median household income: $52,554
- Total population: 1,441
6. Atkins, Virginia
- Median home value: $66,300 (1.5 times income)
- Median household income: $43,318
- Total population: 1,028
5. King Cove, Alaska
- Median home value: $118,200 (1.5 times income)
- Median household income: $79,844
- Total population: 1,108
4. Searles Valley, California
- Median home value: $78,000 (1.4 times income)
- Median household income: $54,013
- Total population: 1,716
3. Desert Edge, California
- Median home value: $53,600 (1.4 times income)
- Median household income: $38,668
- Total population: 3,715
2. Hays, Montana
- Median home value: $63,600 (1.3 times income)
- Median household income: $49,423
- Total population: 1,095
1. Johnstown, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $40,000 (1.2 times income)
- Median household income: $33,466
- Total population: 18,429
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