The Most Affordable U.S. Housing Markets: Coldwell Banker (PHOTOS)

Does a housing market with average prices below $70,000 sound too good to be true? In the midst of the housing crisis, a handful of regions have seen home prices tumble to some mind-bogglingly low levels, according to Coldwell Banker's latest annual Home Listing Report. Cities in recession-addled states like Michigan and Ohio both hold three spots in the top among the top 13 most affordable markets.

The report surveyed regional prices for four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes across the country. (For a list of the most expensive markets here.)

Which city ranked as the most affordable? See the list below -- or for more information check out Coldwell Banker's full report.

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#13 Dayton, OH

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Average home price: $126,352

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Average home price: $126,352

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Most Surprising Affordable Markets

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Comments

[JamminJerome]

03:29 PM on 11/06/2010

If you want an affordable place with a stable economy, try Pittsburgh. You can get a decent house in a pretty good neighborhood for under $100,000.

[feliznavidad]

10:18 PM on 11/19/2010

That's right! A few years ago when Money magazine picked Pittsburgh as the most livable city in the USA, it stated the reason in four words: "Three Bedrooms, 89K" -- and unlike many of the cities above, Pittsburgh has pro sports, world class opera and symphony, numerous concert venues, theater, museums, and great universities. What's not to love?

[k2polo]

09:46 AM on 11/05/2010

I live in La Quinta, California, and am also a Realtor here. There are MANY nice homes available right now for $90,000 to $150,000. Many have pools. I look at these more remote areas of the country and think, "I'd rather live in La Quinta!"

[Boxxy Girl]

06:47 PM on 11/04/2010

Gotta love the antenna on top of the Detroit house! I hope that's just a really old photo! LOL

[hlma-1]

10:29 PM on 11/03/2010

I am from Cleveland and live in New York City. You'd be surprised at how many New Yorkers I've met who have traveled to Cleveland and cannot figure out what all the negativity is about. Granted, they are not hanging around foreclosed neighborhoods. Like much in the Rust Belt, the bad reps come from the seamy side of town - and there's plenty of that. But if you're retired with enough income and don't mind nasty winter weather, the Cleveland area can be a pensioner's dream, as it's very affordable. It helps not to expect mountain vistas, but there's plenty of natural beauty around, and lots of history. Such noted presidents as William Howard Taft, William McKinley (Karl Rove's fave prez), James A. Garfield, and Warren G. Harding were all from the area. No one says you have to visit their tombs, though.

[feliznavidad]

10:19 PM on 11/19/2010

I'm from notorious Pittsburgh -- but got to admit Cleveland is also a great town. Much underestimated. Still don't like the Brownies, however!

[Lucy1886]

02:21 PM on 11/03/2010

Not very scientific. No mention of Gary, Indiana, or Flint, Michigan or lots of other places that have been devastated by desindustrialization.

[mrspiffy]

11:12 AM on 11/03/2010

They're all in states where the economy is in the toilet.
http://yieldpig.blogspot.com/

[VeroucaSalt]

01:20 PM on 11/03/2010

And, correct me if I am wrong, but aren't they all predominantly Red states?

[Boxxy Girl]

06:43 PM on 11/04/2010

Nope. Only 4 of the 13 cities were in red states in the 2008 elections.

And #1: Detroit, has been run exclusively by Democrats and the unions for over 50 years.

[Davyhulme]

09:03 AM on 11/03/2010

These prices are amazing, but one has to wonder what the property taxes are and utility bills to live in them. There has been a great unfairness in the past years as home prices skyrocketed and people were being forced out of their homes by rising by property taxes. There needs to be a nation wide California Proposition 13 to protect the homeowner from this ever happening again.

[Lucy1886]

02:19 PM on 11/03/2010

Proposition 13 was a disaster that has led to the terrible crisis in California today. The BOTTOM LINE, as corporate-loving conservatives like to say, is that the rich have gotten much richer and the rest of us have fallen further behind. Prop. 13 would intensify that process........

[Davyhulme]

03:22 PM on 11/03/2010

I totally dissagree, many would have lost their homes to the rising taxes. I don't think that Prop 13 should cover business or inheritance of property though. The idea was to protect fixed income home owners from the excessive taxes. The home owner has no control over inflation and should not be held responsible for this. If it had not been for Prop 13 the state and local governments would have been worse off, as it cushioned the blow!

[DJlaysitup]

08:48 AM on 11/03/2010

Yeah - I grew up in a small midwestern town and occasionally think about moving back there when I retire.

Then I sober up.

[Raccoon1]

09:58 AM on 11/03/2010

My thought as I looked at the picutres was "who'd want to live there?" Very cold winters, very hot summers, no work, likely no public services, no thanks.

[Cityview]

10:31 AM on 11/12/2010

Cleveland is a remarkably beautiful and cosmopolitan city. The metro area is dotted with million dollar neighborhoods with spectacular homes built on lakside cliffs. The city has one of the most beautiful and extensive park sytems in the world with hundreds of miles of scenic biking and hiking trails. World class museums, theatre and shopping abound. Despite all the negative media stories, the economy is much better than 90 percent of the country. Ohio was just ranked one of the top five fastest growing economies and Cleveland's unemployment rate is actually BELOW the national average. Even in the midst of this recession , major projects are moving forward downtown, A new medical mart and convention center, A new Casino, New office construction, restaurants, museums ..Compare this to California Nevada, Florida with their 12 ,13 and 14 percent unemployment. I am sick of all the negative stereotypes

[mrcontinental]

05:43 AM on 11/03/2010

Everything should have been $70,000 from the start then we would have never gotten into this mess. There is no reason for a house costing $300,000 on the meager salaries earned in this country.

[feliznavidad]

10:23 PM on 11/19/2010

There's the truth! I don't know how people fell for that...It was a big con.One thing that helped us in Pittsburgh, is that home inflation never got as out of control as in many other places. I think we're just too frugal for that.

[donbrown]

03:14 AM on 11/03/2010

I look at all these towns and think to myself "There is a reason these places are cheap."

Yuk. If you didn't have to (or weren't born there and don't know better) who the hell would want to live THERE?

[olighak]

09:21 AM on 11/03/2010

Exactly, there is a reason these places are cheap!

I´ve been to some of those places and ain´t no way I´m moving there, even if you paid me for taking a house there.

[Finnegans Wake]

11:15 AM on 11/03/2010

Cleveland, Canton, and Dayton, three from the Great Pumpkin's own state. Coincidence?

[Candide33]

08:35 AM on 11/04/2010

hahahaha I just got the joke

[dems08]

02:43 AM on 11/03/2010

the aerial view of North Platte, NE makes it look very uninviting.

[bobo5]

02:30 AM on 11/03/2010

Puebla Mexico has a better climate and dining options.

[DavidBlackburn]

02:19 AM on 11/03/2010

Housing's cheap in all those places, but what about utilities and winter coats?

[marylandtravelinman]

12:33 AM on 11/03/2010

I wouldn't live in any of these places if you paid me. I will take my high cost of living and have a progressive diverse culture any day.

[cookerman45]

12:33 AM on 11/03/2010

Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetroit michigan.........behold the housing market!