M
idwest cities dominate the list of U.S. metros where single‑family homes sell for less than $300 k, according to Realtor.com. While coastal markets stay pricey, the Midwest offers more affordable options that match local incomes, with many listings well below the national median of $424 k.
Home‑sale prices fell from their 2022 peak, yet remain out of reach for many buyers. In Q2 2020 the median sale price was $317 k; by the same period in 2023 it rose to $418 k, and in 2025 it dipped slightly to $410 k. Miami Beach’s Fisher Island tops the scale at $11.9 m, whereas Sun‑belt markets have cooled as demand wanes.
The top ten metros, ranked by median listing price, are:
| Rank | Metro | Median List Price | Median Household Income |
|------|-------|-------------------|-------------------------|
| 10 | St. Louis, MO | $295,900 | $53,374 |
| 9 | Frankfort, KY | $292,050 | $54,438 |
| 8 | Wichita, KS | $285,000 | $65,855 |
| 7 | Buffalo‑Cheektowaga, NY | $267,450 | $69,861 |
| 6 | Scranton‑Wilkes‑Barre, PA | $262,350 | $58,834 |
| 5 | Cleveland, OH | $259,900 | $43,383 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $250,000 | $66,954 |
| 3 | Battle Creek, MI | $229,999 | $51,699 |
| 2 | Toledo, OH | $217,950 | $50,562 |
| 1 | Muncie, IN | $178,250 | $41,417 |
All ten are located in the Midwest or nearby regions; no coastal city appears on the list. The easternmost entry lies in northeast Pennsylvania, while the westernmost is in Kansas.
