RANKING · 1990 CENSUS · 500 SHOWN OF 918

Most affordable housing, US metro areas · 1990

US metro areas with the lowest CensusEasy Afford Score, where homes cost the fewest years of local income (1990 ACS). Ottumwa, IA leads at 1.3. 918 metro areas qualify in total. Texas carries 6 of the top 25 entries. The median across all 918 is 2.2.

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All statesAll rankings

SAME RANKING BYCities Counties States ZIP codes

YEAR1990 2010 2020 2024

RANKPLACESTATEPOPAFFORD SCOREVS –

USUnited States248,709,8733.0–

01Ottumwa, IAIA35,2101.3–

02Borger, TXTX19,6331.4–

03Canton, ILIL32,9011.4–

04New Castle, ININ49,1371.4–

05Fort Madison, IAIA32,3061.4–

06Sweetwater, TXTX14,1171.4–

07Atchison, KSKS16,1721.5–

08Big Spring, TXTX30,5041.5–

09Andrews, TXTX18,9141.5–

10Pampa, TXTX21,7861.5–

11Marshalltown, IAIA39,8901.5–

12Ottawa, KSKS26,2991.5–

13Town of Pecos, TXTX12,1381.5–

14Huntington, ININ37,2241.5–

15Arkansas City, KSKS34,3821.5–

16Galesburg, ILIL47,7671.5–

17Taylorville, ILIL33,4431.5–

18Mexico, MOMO24,5281.5–

19Marion, ININ66,5241.5–

20Centralia, ILIL36,3821.5–

21Clinton, IAIA46,0021.5–

22Logansport, ININ37,8361.5–

23Huron, SDSD19,6241.5–

24Battle Creek, MIMI133,4081.5–

25Owosso, MIMI67,6811.5–

26Burlington, IAIA44,0611.5–

27Pontiac, ILIL35,0571.6–

28Frankfort, ININ33,3221.6–

29Pittsburg, KSKS39,0081.6–

30Moberly, MOMO24,5131.6–

31Fort Dodge, IAIA36,8381.6–

32Houghton, MIMI40,0281.6–

33Alma, MIMI41,1901.6–

34Snyder, TXTX16,1621.6–

35Decatur, ILIL99,3001.6–

36Beatrice, NENE21,7111.6–

37Bay City, MIMI102,1231.6–

38Van Wert, OHOH29,0131.6–

39Mitchell, SDSD25,9131.6–

40Oskaloosa, IAIA21,8801.6–

41Terre Haute, ININ169,2411.6–

42Hillsdale, MIMI45,7381.6–

43Connersville, ININ23,5331.6–

44Elk City, OKOK22,1591.6–

45Marion, OHOH65,1151.6–

46Coldwater, MIMI45,9931.6–

47Flint, MIMI401,0931.6–

48Great Bend, KSKS24,7901.6–

49North Platte, NENE33,9721.6–

50Danville, ILIL71,2591.6–

51Sturgis, MIMI60,9681.6–

52Auburn, ININ44,5351.6–

53Bedford, ININ45,5681.6–

54Hutchinson, KSKS61,5391.6–

55Vernon, TXTX12,4811.6–

56Storm Lake, IAIA20,4491.6–

57Greensburg, ININ26,5761.6–

58Enid, OKOK61,7791.6–

59Bradford, PAPA38,9841.6–

60Wabash, ININ30,7131.6–

61Kendallville, ININ47,9371.6–

62Sioux City, IAIA145,7381.6–

63Jackson, MIMI159,5521.6–

64Kokomo, ININ83,9041.6–

65Sterling, ILIL54,1211.6–

66Macomb, ILIL25,9161.6–

67Spencer, IAIA16,2021.6–

68Pottsville, PAPA145,0851.6–

69Peru, ININ34,4871.6–

70Peoria, ILIL363,5051.7–

71Hastings, NENE40,5771.7–

72Warren, PAPA37,0381.7–

73Fairmont, MNMN19,4401.7–

74Hannibal, MOMO38,9691.7–

75Beaumont, TXTX399,3101.7–

76Dixon, ILIL32,9141.7–

77Bonham, TXTX39,2651.7–

78Dumas, TXTX21,8911.7–

79Hobbs, NMNM74,7491.7–

80Waterloo, IAIA169,1891.7–

81Miami, OKOK30,4381.7–

82Saginaw, MIMI187,6881.7–

83Wisconsin Rapids, WIWI74,0601.7–

84St. Joseph, MOMO119,1701.7–

85Woodward, OKOK19,8271.7–

86Defiance, OHOH38,2921.7–

87Oil City, PAPA49,3461.7–

88Muscatine, IAIA41,8531.7–

89Hermitage, PAPA107,8601.7–

90Carroll, IAIA20,3031.7–

91Salina, KSKS59,1211.7–

92Duncan, OKOK44,3101.7–

93Bucyrus, OHOH41,8961.7–

94Crawfordsville, ININ38,9541.7–

95Worthington, MNMN22,3381.7–

96Muncie, ININ113,1061.7–

97Seymour, ININ47,3701.7–

98Raymondville, TXTX19,9711.7–

99Janesville, WIWI166,4721.7–

100Fremont, NENE38,0571.7–

101Paris, TXTX63,3191.7–

102Albert Lea, MNMN30,4401.7–

103Marshall, MOMO23,2651.7–

104Sault Ste. Marie, MIMI36,0811.7–

105Davenport, IAIA380,4521.7–

106Ponca City, OKOK43,4901.7–

107Duluth, MNMN281,2191.7–

108McPherson, KSKS30,0641.7–

109Summerville, GAGA25,3001.7–

110Adrian, MIMI97,7791.7–

111Ardmore, OKOK48,9101.7–

112Pella, IAIA34,1921.7–

113Iron Mountain, MIMI30,5751.7–

114Wahpeton, NDND23,0191.7–

115Jacksonville, ILIL37,3811.7–

116Plymouth, ININ46,5991.7–

117Altoona, PAPA119,5411.7–

118Tiffin, OHOH54,5221.8–

119Mason City, IAIA49,7101.8–

120Lincoln, ILIL27,1821.8–

121Monticello, ININ25,1641.8–

122Cedar Rapids, IAIA279,2851.8–

123Decatur, ININ36,6501.8–

124Marquette, MIMI68,0641.8–

125Ottawa, ILIL145,9021.8–

126Topeka, KSKS233,0521.8–

127Washington, ININ34,2091.8–

128South Bend, ININ324,5381.8–

129Abilene, TXTX185,4291.8–

130Platteville, WIWI52,4461.8–

131Grand Island, NENE78,0761.8–

132Urbana, OHOH38,8201.8–

133Plainview, TXTX36,7001.8–

134Henderson, KYKY57,1841.8–

135Bartlesville, OKOK54,0371.8–

136Freeport, ILIL43,2201.8–

137Lexington, NENE26,2551.8–

138Evanston, WYWY23,4151.8–

139Maryville, MOMO20,1741.8–

140Austin, MNMN40,9711.8–

141Madisonville, KYKY45,1271.8–

142Camden, ARAR26,3631.8–

143Manitowoc, WIWI81,7101.8–

144Sedalia, MOMO44,2541.8–

145Olean, NYNY75,3901.8–

146Le Mars, IAIA25,6971.8–

147Muskegon, MIMI177,9011.8–

148Quincy, ILIL74,1461.8–

149Joplin, MOMO208,7961.8–

150Richmond, ININ66,1691.8–

151Thomaston, GAGA28,5001.8–

152Sherman, TXTX153,6131.8–

153Madison, ININ33,2791.8–

154Corning, NYNY91,8551.8–

155Emporia, KSKS34,8381.8–

156Rockingham, NCNC42,0411.8–

157Mineral Wells, TXTX30,7911.8–

158Salem, OHOH99,3771.8–

159Wausau, WIWI139,4321.8–

160McAlester, OKOK43,3201.8–

161Weirton, WVWV112,4681.8–

162Cadillac, MIMI49,7191.8–

163Cambridge, OHOH38,3791.8–

164Marinette, WIWI65,5151.8–

165DuBois, PAPA78,1001.8–

166Marion, ILIL67,2251.8–

167Vernal, UTUT38,2781.8–

168Jasper, ININ44,0161.8–

169Des Moines, IAIA758,5391.8–

170Norfolk, NENE49,2281.8–

171Williston, NDND41,7671.8–

172Vincennes, ININ35,6521.8–

173Charleston, ILIL46,6071.8–

174Odessa, TXTX173,8011.8–

175Johnstown, PAPA128,9681.8–

176Alpena, MIMI28,8531.8–

177Rochelle, ILIL51,3991.8–

178Liberal, KSKS21,0731.8–

179Midland, MIMI83,7541.8–

180Garden City, KSKS37,5051.8–

181Othello, WAWA21,4881.8–

182Mayfield, KYKY37,0501.8–

183Columbus, ININ85,7291.8–

184Sunbury, PAPA107,7881.8–

185Michigan City, ININ111,2941.8–

186Massena, NYNY105,4881.8–

187Cedartown, GAGA45,5141.8–

188Fort Wayne, ININ466,2581.9–

189Campbellsville, KYKY38,4071.9–

190Wichita, KSKS663,8091.9–

191Corsicana, TXTX57,1811.9–

192Dickinson, NDND39,1421.9–

193Greencastle, ININ37,8761.9–

194Alice, TXTX45,3831.9–

195Gillette, WYWY48,1451.9–

196Brownwood, TXTX38,7111.9–

197Mount Vernon, ILIL36,1471.9–

198Huntingdon, PAPA43,0011.9–

199Palestine, TXTX59,8051.9–

200Columbus, NENE46,5831.9–

201Greenville, OHOH51,5201.9–

202Meadville, PAPA81,7921.9–

203Escanaba, MIMI36,5821.9–

204Scottsbluff, NENE36,2721.9–

205Sheboygan, WIWI118,0471.9–

206Kingsville, TXTX30,3151.9–

207Burley, IDID49,3081.9–

208Beaver Dam, WIWI89,0971.9–

209Appleton, WIWI249,8761.9–

210Coshocton, OHOH37,1881.9–

211Baker City, OROR16,6581.9–

212Jesup, GAGA32,4811.9–

213Lufkin, TXTX88,1541.9–

214Detroit, MIMI4,390,9131.9–

215Wichita Falls, TXTX149,4481.9–

216Dubuque, IAIA99,3811.9–

217Monroe, MIMI156,0041.9–

218Mansfield, OHOH124,8931.9–

219Fond du Lac, WIWI104,6691.9–

220Gaffney, SCSC58,2751.9–

221Casper, WYWY80,5261.9–

222Wilmington, OHOH42,3011.9–

223Warsaw, ININ80,8921.9–

224Washington Court House, OHOH28,5521.9–

225Gadsden, ALAL103,8861.9–

226Jefferson City, MOMO152,7121.9–

227El Dorado, ARAR36,9261.9–

228Aberdeen, SDSD41,5831.9–

229Omaha, NENE1,009,8361.9–

230Effingham, ILIL44,7271.9–

231Carlsbad, NMNM62,5091.9–

232Shawnee, OKOK75,1021.9–

233Rockford, ILIL337,2421.9–

234Guymon, OKOK20,3221.9–

235Lima, OHOH100,8811.9–

236Forest City, NCNC65,7451.9–

237Rome, GAGA101,3781.9–

238Kankakee, ILIL105,5251.9–

239Martin, TNTN33,2611.9–

240Gainesville, TXTX44,4611.9–

241Beeville, TXTX32,5151.9–

242Farmington, MOMO67,8091.9–

243Kennett, MOMO26,8551.9–

244Watertown, WIWI86,5051.9–

245Youngstown, OHOH423,6781.9–

246Marshall, MNMN25,6841.9–

247Niles, MIMI152,4441.9–

248La Grande, OROR25,9001.9–

249Holland, MIMI123,1881.9–

250Sidney, OHOH48,0651.9–

251Sioux Falls, SDSD314,6381.9–

252Port Lavaca, TXTX19,5991.9–

253Owensboro, KYKY113,9621.9–

254Calhoun, GAGA61,7011.9–

255Brigham City, UTUT70,4051.9–

256Racine, WIWI198,9191.9–

257Union City, TNTN30,0671.9–

258Eau Claire, WIWI176,6471.9–

259Springfield, OHOH135,3401.9–

260Spirit Lake, IAIA18,0771.9–

261Alexander City, ALAL40,9531.9–

262Zanesville, OHOH87,0141.9–

263Rochester, MNMN231,1841.9–

264Rock Springs, WYWY41,2671.9–

265Wapakoneta, OHOH45,9091.9–

266Amarillo, TXTX276,2351.9–

267Hereford, TXTX18,6262.0–

268Bellefontaine, OHOH46,3022.0–

269Sparta, WIWI46,5722.0–

270Weatherford, OKOK39,0592.0–

271Kearney, NENE57,9622.0–

272Paducah, KYKY102,2592.0–

273Dodge City, KSKS33,9932.0–

274Dyersburg, TNTN36,3202.0–

275Green Bay, WIWI336,7562.0–

276Muskogee, OKOK66,7082.0–

277New Ulm, MNMN25,5172.0–

278Evansville, ININ273,7862.0–

279Altus, OKOK24,7642.0–

280Fort Payne, ALAL74,0852.0–

281Spartanburg, SCSC407,6562.0–

282Ludington, MIMI29,0402.0–

283Jamestown, NYNY124,1262.0–

284Ashland, OHOH52,5232.0–

285Paragould, ARAR47,4112.0–

286Midland, TXTX193,1392.0–

287Scottsboro, ALAL54,2812.0–

288Fremont, OHOH58,6552.0–

289Oklahoma City, OKOK1,512,8132.0–

290Springfield, ILIL206,0332.0–

291Lewistown, PAPA46,1272.0–

292Moultrie, GAGA47,4382.0–

293Mount Pleasant, TXTX57,0762.0–

294Texarkana, TXTX146,8162.0–

295Grand Rapids, MNMN45,4042.0–

296Mount Vernon, OHOH64,0022.0–

297Findlay, OHOH75,0342.0–

298Sterling, COCO20,6542.0–

299Marion, NCNC45,1982.0–

300Lansing, MIMI479,7222.0–

301Sikeston, MOMO49,9782.0–

302Parkersburg, WVWV87,2642.0–

303Batesville, ARAR38,7852.0–

304Oshkosh, WIWI174,2182.0–

305Houston, TXTX7,904,6272.0–

306Waycross, GAGA57,6702.0–

307Pine Bluff, ARAR70,2112.0–

308Lewisburg, TNTN38,0712.0–

309Somerset, PAPA72,0042.0–

310Shelby, NCNC103,3252.0–

311Roswell, NMNM63,3642.0–

312Victoria, TXTX99,8642.0–

313Wheeling, WVWV134,0892.0–

314Elkhart, ININ208,7742.0–

315Indianapolis, ININ2,205,6952.0–

316Owatonna, MNMN37,4642.0–

317Dothan, ALAL156,2662.0–

318New Philadelphia, OHOH92,3732.0–

319McMinnville, TNTN43,7172.0–

320Warner Robins, GAGA208,0912.0–

321St. Marys, PAPA29,9262.0–

322Menomonie, WIWI46,2232.0–

323Grand Rapids, MIMI1,183,6452.0–

324Kalamazoo, MIMI263,7952.0–

325Kansas City, MOMO2,270,6822.0–

326Erie, PAPA265,8322.0–

327Louisville, KYKY1,402,5092.0–

328Talladega, ALAL91,7642.0–

329Seneca Falls, NYNY32,8832.0–

330Jamestown, NDND21,4142.0–

331Fort Smith, ARAR234,1402.0–

332Albany, OROR132,8432.0–

333Blackfoot, IDID51,1532.0–

334DeRidder, LALA36,6732.0–

335Pocatello, IDID91,5912.0–

336Ozark, ALAL49,9122.0–

337Elmira, NYNY80,4152.0–

338LaGrange, GAGA107,0972.0–

339San Angelo, TXTX122,0652.0–

340Price, UTUT20,6802.0–

341The Dalles, OROR26,3102.0–

342Malvern, ARAR33,4512.0–

343Shawano, WIWI45,7592.0–

344Chillicothe, OHOH76,4292.0–

345Stevens Point, WIWI71,9432.0–

346Winchester, TNTN45,5792.0–

347Greenwood, SCSC95,2152.0–

348Canton, OHOH400,2462.0–

349Greeneville, TNTN73,8312.0–

350Pittsburgh, PAPA2,421,9922.0–

351El Campo, TXTX42,0602.0–

352Toledo, OHOH599,3762.0–

353Longview, TXTX297,3152.0–

354Jacksonville, TXTX53,3372.1–

355Bainbridge, GAGA29,4322.1–

356Athens, TNTN71,5902.1–

357Celina, OHOH42,7372.1–

358Jackson, TNTN184,5692.1–

359Tupelo, MSMS133,1672.1–

360Fairmont, WVWV55,5842.1–

361Russellville, ARAR84,9322.1–

362Martinsville, VAVA63,0912.1–

363Tullahoma, TNTN69,3392.1–

364Butte-Silver Bow, MTMT36,1182.1–

365Newberry, SCSC39,5612.1–

366Angola, ININ34,7992.1–

367Albemarle, NCNC68,8302.1–

368Shelbyville, TNTN55,2732.1–

369Hickory, NCNC376,8902.1–

370Hermiston, OROR93,7212.1–

371Norwalk, OHOH58,2502.1–

372Magnolia, ARAR21,8942.1–

373Franklin, KYKY20,7882.1–

374Cleveland, TNTN134,0572.1–

375Douglas, GAGA52,8612.1–

376Frankfort, KYKY77,8742.1–

377Mount Airy, NCNC72,2872.1–

378Danville, VAVA101,1372.1–

379Eufaula, ALAL26,8612.1–

380Kennewick, WAWA324,3342.1–

381Dublin, GAGA60,3512.1–

382Bloomington, ILIL171,4192.1–

383Lebanon, MOMO36,9432.1–

384Idaho Falls, IDID173,8512.1–

385Rice Lake, WIWI46,4842.1–

386Lawrenceburg, TNTN46,9142.1–

387Corinth, MSMS34,5692.1–

388Bay City, TXTX36,4632.1–

389Sulphur Springs, TXTX39,0632.1–

390Lock Haven, PAPA37,8702.1–

391Cape Girardeau, MOMO99,2152.1–

392Portsmouth, OHOH71,3652.1–

393Spearfish, SDSD29,4592.1–

394Hutchinson, MNMN36,6312.1–

395Winona, MNMN50,5232.1–

396Baraboo, WIWI66,6522.1–

397Mount Sterling, KYKY48,4282.1–

398Kenosha, WIWI168,4482.1–

399Clarksburg, WVWV88,1422.1–

400Aberdeen, WAWA78,1442.1–

401Lubbock, TXTX368,4312.1–

402Russellville, ALAL32,4492.1–

403Uvalde, TXTX24,9632.1–

404La Crosse, WIWI171,1822.1–

405Laurinburg, NCNC33,3222.1–

406Lincoln, NENE352,0812.1–

407Tulsa, OKOK1,069,2732.1–

408Williamsport, PAPA112,5872.1–

409Decatur, ALAL160,3262.1–

410Marietta, OHOH58,3892.1–

411Batavia, NYNY58,4162.1–

412Twin Falls, IDID123,9012.1–

413Dalton, GAGA147,8192.1–

414Corpus Christi, TXTX451,1912.1–

415Americus, GAGA33,3942.1–

416St. Louis, MOMO2,814,4212.1–

417Waco, TXTX308,8072.1–

418Rio Grande City, TXTX66,3192.1–

419McAllen, TXTX921,5492.1–

420Columbus, MSMS67,1442.1–

421Dayton, OHOH826,5542.1–

422Lake City, FLFL74,0942.1–

423Florence, ALAL156,6092.1–

424Durant, OKOK51,3672.1–

425Sandusky, OHOH112,7772.1–

426Fergus Falls, MNMN61,0412.1–

427Akron, OHOH701,7802.1–

428Minden, LALA34,9482.1–

429Sayre, PAPA59,6002.1–

430Arkadelphia, ARAR20,9382.2–

431Oxford, ALAL115,8342.2–

432Cumberland, MDMD93,6402.2–

433Morristown, TNTN128,8672.2–

434Auburn, NYNY74,3652.2–

435Milledgeville, GAGA44,0292.2–

436Beckley, WVWV109,9402.2–

437San Antonio, TXTX2,813,1402.2–

438Pierre, SDSD20,5882.2–

439Fayetteville, TNTN36,8532.2–

440Lawton, OKOK127,5902.2–

441Ogden, UTUT672,7842.2–

442Clarksville, TNTN349,0012.2–

443Laurel, MSMS82,2812.2–

444Greenville, SCSC1,014,1012.2–

445Ames, IAIA128,0902.2–

446Jefferson, GAGA99,2652.2–

447Macon-Bibb County, GAGA238,5532.2–

448Cullman, ALAL94,0092.2–

449Red Wing, MNMN48,1952.2–

450Rapid City, SDSD156,9342.2–

451Indiana, PAPA82,8782.2–

452Augusta, GAGA641,2312.2–

453Lafayette, ININ228,4682.2–

454Poplar Bluff, MOMO41,9042.2–

455Searcy, ARAR80,0852.2–

456Minot, NDND75,6942.2–

457Selinsgrove, PAPA39,6552.2–

458West Plains, MOMO40,7982.2–

459Brownsville, TXTX433,9462.2–

460Fitzgerald, GAGA17,0992.2–

461Lake Charles, LALA244,6552.2–

462Longview, WAWA114,8852.2–

463Thomasville, GAGA72,9582.2–

464Enterprise, ALAL56,9532.2–

465Florence, SCSC201,3922.2–

466Vicksburg, MSMS41,7592.2–

467Glasgow, KYKY56,2242.2–

468Ada, OKOK38,5282.2–

469Paris, TNTN32,8962.2–

470Tifton, GAGA51,2372.2–

471Picayune, MSMS59,3632.2–

472Jonesboro, ARAR139,4402.2–

473St. Simons, GAGA118,5242.2–

474Grenada, MSMS30,2222.2–

475Birmingham, ALAL1,197,7662.2–

476Little Rock, ARAR777,6072.2–

477Seneca, SCSC83,7752.2–

478Harrison, ARAR45,6542.2–

479Blytheville, ARAR37,8282.2–

480Fort Morgan, COCO30,3062.2–

481Hays, KSKS29,0752.2–

482Huntington, WVWV365,9652.2–

483Lumberton, NCNC119,9412.2–

484Ontario, OROR60,0852.2–

485Chattanooga, TNTN594,5302.2–

486Yankton, SDSD23,6352.2–

487Willmar, MNMN44,7202.2–

488St. Cloud, MNMN205,8542.2–

489Albertville, ALAL103,5372.2–

490Wooster, OHOH116,7582.2–

491Rolla, MOMO45,2472.3–

492Gulfport, MSMS431,3292.3–

493Coos Bay, OROR63,9922.3–

494Winnemucca, NVNV17,2672.3–

495Bowling Green, KYKY197,1802.3–

496Meridian, MSMS85,4192.3–

497Kirksville, MOMO29,8242.3–

498Kingsport, TNTN314,8342.3–

499Montgomery, ALAL388,7472.3–

500Whitewater, WIWI106,1272.3–

SHOWING 1–500 OF 918

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Download CSV (full list, 918 rows)How this score is calculated

UPDATED 2026-09-11 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU DECENNIAL CENSUS

Frequently asked

Which metro area has the lowest afford score?

Ottumwa, IA ranks #1 with 1.3 (1990 Decennial Census).

What are the top 5 metro areas by afford score?

Ottumwa, IA, Borger, TX, Canton, IL, New Castle, IN, Fort Madison, IA.

How many metro areas are in this ranking?

918 metro areas qualify after filtering for population minimums and data availability. The ranking covers 1990 Decennial Census data.

How is afford score measured?

CensusEasy Afford Score: median home value divided by median household income, the number of years of a typical local income it takes to buy a typical local home. Lower is more affordable. Source: US Census Bureau, 1990 Decennial Census.