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Affordable Dream Homes: The 2025 Guide to Cities with Median Prices Under $250 k

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  Published in House and Home on Friday, November 28th 2025 at 17:11 GMT by New York Post
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Affordable Dream Homes: The 2025 Guide to Cities with Median Prices Under $250 k

By Jane Doe – New York Post

In a year that has seen the housing market still wobble after the pandemic‑induced boom, a fresh list released by the New York Post’s real‑estate desk has drawn a spotlight on a handful of cities where the dream of owning a home remains within easy reach. The article, titled “New list reveals most desirable cities where home prices are still less than $250k” (published Nov. 28, 2025), pulls together data from Zillow, local county assessors, and a handful of real‑estate blogs to rank the most affordable, yet livable, American cities.

How the List Was Compiled

The Post’s authors began by mining Zillow’s database for the latest median sale prices in every city with a population above 50,000. They then cross‑referenced those figures with data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to ensure a reliable representation of “homeowners” versus “renters.” Finally, the list was filtered to keep only those communities whose median home price stayed below the $250,000 threshold — a number that has been the benchmark for “affordable” housing in the past decade.

Because home prices can vary dramatically from one neighborhood to another, the article notes that each city on the list is also broken down by zip code. For instance, Boise, Idaho’s median price sits around $275,000 citywide, but a quick dive into the 83706 zip code reveals a median that’s just shy of $230,000.

Readers can click through to a spreadsheet that the Post released alongside the article. It contains every data point that went into the rankings, including year‑over‑year price changes, the average number of days on the market, and the price per square foot.

The Top Ten Affordable Hotspots

The Post’s writers note that all of these cities rank in the top 20 for “overall livability” according to the 2025 US City Livability Index. They also cite that each city scores at least a 4 out of 5 on a “quality of life” scale that weighs factors like parks, schools, and healthcare facilities.

Key Trends Behind the Numbers

1. Remote‑Work Has Brought Talent to the Midwest

A major driver behind these cities’ affordability is the shift in the workforce. With more people able to work from anywhere, many have left pricey coastal markets in favor of the Midwest and Mountain West. The article links to a Bloomberg piece that details how the remote‑work boom has increased demand in “affordable cities” like Boise and Omaha.

2. Supply‑Side Improvements

The Post highlights that several of these markets have recently rolled out zoning changes that allow for denser housing—multi‑family units, duplexes, and townhomes. In Tulsa, the city council passed a bill in 2024 that eases restrictions on converting vacant storefronts into residential units. This increase in supply has tempered price growth.

3. Economic Diversification

Cities that were historically single‑industry hubs—like Wichita’s aerospace and Omaha’s financial services—are now diversifying. The article references a local news report that shows an influx of tech startups in Fargo, which has helped keep wages competitive without driving up housing prices.

4. Cost of Living vs. Salary

The Post offers a quick calculator (linked from the article) that lets readers compare median household income with median home price. For instance, Chattanooga’s median household income is $70,000, meaning a median home would be roughly 3.1 times the average salary—well below the “5×” benchmark that the National Association of Realtors recommends for affordability.

What These Numbers Mean for Buyers

The article advises that while these cities offer affordability, buyers should still be vigilant about hidden costs. In many markets, property taxes can offset the initial savings. For example, property tax rates in Arkansas are higher than the national average, potentially erasing the benefit of a lower purchase price. The Post links to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration’s tax calculator for readers who want to see how much they might pay annually.

Another point the writers emphasize is the “price‑per‑sq‑ft” trend. In Asheville, the average price per square foot is around $140, which is lower than the national average of $160. This metric can help buyers gauge whether they’re getting a fair deal relative to the home’s size.

Final Takeaway

While the housing crisis has largely shifted to the coasts, the 2025 list from the New York Post’s real‑estate desk shows that there are still pockets of opportunity inland. By offering strong economic fundamentals, high livability scores, and solid supply chains, cities like Chattanooga, Asheville, and Tulsa provide a compelling argument for buyers looking to step onto the property ladder without being priced out.

For those who want to explore the data themselves, the Post’s article includes links to the raw data sheets, a detailed explanation of the methodology, and even an interactive map that lets users zoom in on individual neighborhoods. The article wraps up with a call to action: “If you’re ready to move away from the price gouge of the east and west coasts, look no further than these nine cities. Your dream home could be waiting just under the $250,000 mark.”