Out of the 500 largest metros in the U.S., 10 were identified as the top 'bargain cities'. While some are still recovering from the Great Recession, these areas offer community engagement, strong infrastructure, and affordable starter homes for first-time homebuyers.
The number one city was Marion, Indiana. Unemployment in Marion County has improved over time, and currently sits at 3.3 percent as of November 2017, per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Broker Charmayne Saylors told Realtor.com that for about $70,000, homebuyers could afford a three-bedroom home with a garage, adding, "We are starting to see people come back that have moved away. We have a whole market of people who return to the Midwest lifestyle and the affordability of our housing."
We looked at the country's 500 largest metros and identified the 10 with the lowest median home prices. We limited the final results to no more than one per state. So where do you go for homes that will cost you well below the $79,500 starting price of a Tesla Model X? The Rust Belt and Midwest, mostly—often areas that have experienced decades of industrial decline and population loss.
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