Costs preserve rising, however bargains haven’t disappeared
13 years in the past, the U.S. median house sale worth was $190,000, and a family wanted $35,600 in annual earnings to afford it. Right now, the image seems to be very totally different.
Housing affordability has since fallen to report lows after two years of worth development, with the standard house promoting for $440,000 in August. Even with mortgage charges dropping, consumers nonetheless have to earn over $112,000 yearly to afford a median-priced house – roughly $25,000 greater than the standard family earnings and thrice what they wanted in 2012. The consequence? Slower gross sales, fewer listings, and hardly any purchaser exercise.
Nonetheless, inexpensive choices haven’t disappeared. In components of the Midwest, South, and Northeast, many properties go for lower than $200,000, with some dipping into the low-$100,000s. And throughout the nation, there are inexpensive gems ready to be found – even in the most costly markets.
Let’s discover what you should purchase for lower than $200,000 in ten cities throughout the U.S. We’ll spotlight three listings per metropolis to provide an outline of what that worth level seems to be like.
>> Learn: The Most Inexpensive Cities within the U.S. in 2025
How a lot earnings do you have to afford a $200k home?
As of September 2025, consumers have to earn about $50,000 to comfortably afford a $200,000 home. This assumes a 20% down cost on a median-priced house ($444,000), a 6.4% mortgage fee, and typical tax and insurance coverage prices.
You may calculate your particular month-to-month housing prices utilizing Redfin’s Mortgage Calculator.
It’s value noting that many consumers buying within the $200,000 vary could earn lower than their metropolis’s median earnings, so even when a market seems inexpensive on paper, it might not be inexpensive to populations who want it.
What do 200K homes seem like throughout America?
1. Detroit, MI
Median sale worth: $220,000 | Median family earnings: $39,209
Detroit is probably the most inexpensive main metropolis within the nation, with nearly half of properties sitting close to the $200,000 mark. Costs are low on this Rust Belt mecca for quite a lot of elements, however the main ones are inhabitants loss, financial disinvestment, and an growing old housing inventory. Nevertheless, the town has seen a sturdy revitalization effort in recent times, attracting new companies and residents.
Listed here are just a few examples of properties that go for $200,000 or much less.
- 8229 Carlin St, Detroit, MI 48228: $200,000 | 4 mattress, 1.5 bathtub, 1,973 sq ft
- 23424 Clarita St, Detroit, MI 48219: $145,000 | 4 mattress, 1.5 bathtub, 1,495 sq ft
- 14985 Tacoma St, Detroit, MI 482057: $75,000 | 3 mattress, 2 bathtub, 2,000 sq ft
2. Los Angeles, CA
Median sale worth: $909,000 | Median family earnings: $82,263
As probably the most costly cities in America, it’d shock you that Los Angeles nonetheless has housing choices round $200,000. Typically, properties in Southern California go for properly over $1 million, with folks battling to dwell among the many cultural icon’s sprawling, glitzy streets – particularly in luxurious enclaves like Beverly Hills and Hollywood. That stated, costs are starting to return to a extra “regular” state, though they’re actually not inexpensive.
For these trying to purchase a house in LA on a $200K finances, you’ll need to accept very small condos or residing on the town’s edges. Listed here are some examples.
- 617 Cedar Ave #11, Lengthy Seashore, CA 90802: $200,000 | 0 mattress, 1 bathtub, 392 sq ft
- 13050 Dronfield Ave #7, Sylmar, CA 91342: $195,000 | 1 mattress, 1 bathtub, 595 sq ft
- 18645 Hatteras St #187, Tarzana, CA 91356: $182,000 | 1 mattress, 1 bathtub, 472 sq ft
3. Cleveland, OH
Median sale worth: $255,000 | Median family earnings: $43,383
A former industrial icon rapidly turning energetic tech hub, Cleveland hits a candy spot between outdated and new – retaining its affordability whereas investing in new infrastructure and facilities. Many properties stay inexpensive, although some areas nonetheless wrestle with disinvestment and growing old housing inventory. Housing buyers have additionally began shopping for up lower-priced choices, which is placing a pressure on provide and upward stress on costs.
Here’s a sampling of what $200,000 should purchase you in Cleveland.
- 6014 Laverne Ave, Cleveland, OH 44129: $199,900 | 3 mattress, 2 bathtub, 1,220 sq ft
- 10009 Parmelee Ave, Cleveland, OH 44108: $144,900 | 4 mattress, 2 bathtub, 1,358 sq ft
- 7710 Goodman Ave, Cleveland, OH 44105: $84,999 | 3 mattress, 1 bathtub, 1,085 sq ft
4. Seattle, WA
Median sale worth: $840,000 | Median family earnings: $118,745
Greenery abounds within the Emerald Metropolis, however inexpensive housing is more and more uncommon. Dwelling costs in Seattle have surged 169% up to now 13 years – 37% greater than the nationwide fee – pushed by a tech increase, investor exercise, and acute housing scarcity. Actually, they’ve elevated a lot that over one-third of all properties at the moment are value a minimum of $1 million.
Regardless of slowing demand, costs stay excessive. Consumers can nonetheless discover smaller condos and studios underneath $200,000, although.
- 138 SW 116th St Unit G15, Seattle, WA 98146: $199,999 | 1 mattress, 1 bathtub, 774 sq ft
- 110 SW 116th St, Seattle, WA 98146: $185,000 | 1 mattress, 1 bathtub, 672 sq ft
- 19428 Aurora Ave N #332, Shoreline, WA 98133: $185,000 | 1 mattress, 1 bathtub, 605 sq ft
5. Pittsburgh, PA
Median sale worth: $267,000 | Median family earnings: $66,954
A metropolis constructed on metal and trade, Pittsburgh has began transitioning into a contemporary hub of know-how and development. Home costs are rising however nonetheless low, and incomes have grown sufficient that the standard resident can afford a house. Actually, shopping for is cheaper than renting in Metal Metropolis – the one main metro within the nation the place that is nonetheless true.
Loads of listings go for $200,000 or much less. Here’s a sampling.
- 131 Friday Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15209: $200,000 | 3 mattress, 2 bathtub, 990 sq ft
- 11505 Clematis Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15235: $199,000 | 3 mattress, 2 bathtub, 1,552 sq ft
- 19 Mackey St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213: $150,000 | 3 mattress, 1.5 bathtub, 1,056 sq ft
6. New York, NY
Median sale worth: $800,000 | Median family earnings: $81,228
New York is just not an inexpensive metropolis. Roughly three million households spend greater than a 3rd of their earnings on housing, with 20% spending greater than half each month. Even rent-stabilized items, which make up half of the town’s rental inventory, are out of attain for a lot of residents. The state of affairs doesn’t enhance for consumers, both, as restricted provide continues to drive up prices.
Nevertheless, in case you are keen to sacrifice measurement and facilities, there are nonetheless choices underneath $200,000.
- 63-61 99th St Unit A4, Rego Park, NY 11374: $200,000 | 0 mattress, 1 bathtub, 550 sq ft
- 83-60 118 St Unit 11H, Kew Gardens, NY 11415: $200,000 | 0 mattress, 1 bathtub, 595 sq ft
- 34-43 60 St Unit 2B, Queens, NY 11377: $200,000 | 0 mattress, 1 bathtub, 450 sq ft
7. Oklahoma Metropolis, OK
Median sale worth: $275,000 | Median family earnings: $70,040
Oklahoma Metropolis is a basketball haven identified for its Midwestern appeal, local weather, and costs. The standard home goes for practically half the nationwide common, with many falling into the $100K vary. Even so, not all locals can afford a $200,000 house. In accordance with a current examine, the town really has the widest “middle-class” earnings vary within the nation; the bottom earners fall properly beneath the $50,000 wanted to comfortably afford a $200,000 house.
Right here’s what $200,000 and underneath should purchase you in Oklahoma Metropolis.
- 5021 Union Cir, Oklahoma Metropolis, OK 73135: $200,000 | 3 mattress, 2 bathtub, 1,773 sq ft
- 2904 Rosewood Ln, Oklahoma Metropolis, OK 73120: $155,000 | 2 mattress, 2 bathtub, 1,817 sq ft
- 2221 N Jordan Ave, Oklahoma Metropolis, OK 73111: $139,900 | 2 mattress, 1 bathtub, 1,208 sq ft
8. Miami, FL
Median sale worth: $557,000 | Median family earnings: $66,337
Miami is among the many hottest cities for prime earners. Actually, close by Fisher Island not too long ago turned the nation’s most costly ZIP code – boosting property values as the town offers with declining housing provide. Locals wrestle to make due; simply 10% of properties are inexpensive for median earners, with leases equally out of attain. That’s to not say there aren’t offers, although.
Here’s what $200,000 should purchase in Miami:
- 7256 SW 94th Pl Unit A1, Miami, FL 33173: $200,000 | 1 mattress, 1 bathtub 594 sq ft
- 8415 SW 107th Ave Unit 270W, Miami, FL 33173: $200,000 | 2 mattress, 2 bathtub, 985 sq ft
- 1215 SW thirty second Ave Unit 108A, Miami, FL 33135: $200,000 | 2 mattress, 1 bathtub, 755 sq ft
9. Houston, TX
Median sale worth: $337,000 | Median family earnings: $64,361
Like many Solar Belt cities, Houston’s housing market has cooled up to now couple of years as local weather dangers and years of report beneficial properties pushed some consumers out. Now, costs are down, listings are up, and consumers are in cost. As well as, a Redfin evaluation in July discovered that 7% of Houston listings might promote for a loss – the fifth-highest share within the nation.
The standard Houston earnings can comfortably afford a $200,000 home. Right here’s what they seem like.
- 2507 eleventh St, Galena Park, TX 77547: $200,000 | 3 mattress, 2 bathtub, 1,043 sq ft
- 4543 Lelay Cir, Houston, TX 77022: $155,000 | 2 mattress, 1 bathtub, 872 sq ft
- 7819 Leonora St, Houston, TX 77061: $85,000 | 2 mattress, 1.5 bathtub, 1,122 sq ft
10. Washington, D.C.
Median sale worth: $590,000 | Median family earnings: $106,287
The nation’s capital has lots to supply, together with walkable streets, loads of inexperienced area, and world-class landmarks. Nevertheless, it stays among the many least inexpensive cities within the nation. Renters are particularly cost-burdened, although renting is now extra inexpensive than shopping for, on common.
For Washington, D.C. consumers on a $200,000 finances, right here’s what you’ll be able to look forward to finding.
- 300 M St SW Unit N111, Washington, DC 20024: $200,000 | 1 mattress, 1 bathtub, 521 sq ft
- 4810 Quarles St NE #201, Washington, DC 20019: $199,999 | 2 mattress, 1 bathtub, 704 sq ft
- 824 18th St NE #003, Washington, DC 20002: $199,990 | 1 mattress, 1 bathtub, 485 sq ft
Methodology
Listings have been lively on Redfin as of October 3, 2025 aside from one bought itemizing (617 Cedar Ave #11) included in Los Angeles. Listings excluded income-restricted properties. Housing information is from Redfin as of August 2025. Median earnings information comes from the U.S. Census Bureau 2024 ACS 1-year estimates.
