Homebuyers looking for strong returns on their investment may want to check out the Midwest. A new GOBankingRates analysis of Zillow’s September 2025 data shows that a range of Midwest cities have not only kept pace with national housing trends, but in many cases, outperformed them.
Among the 20 cities that made GBR’s list for Midwest investment potential, one-year home value increases averaged between 5% and 10%. That compares with a national average value increase of 0.28%.
Value spikes over the past five years are even more striking. Many communities in GBR’s top 20 posted appreciation rates above 60%, with some exceeding 80%.
Home values among cities on the list range from $100,000 to $319,000. Wisconsin led the way with seven cities, followed by Ohio with four. Illinois and Michigan each placed three cities on the list.
Read on for a rundown that includes average home values as of this past September, plus percentage value changes over the past year and the past five years.
1. Warren, Ohio
- September 2025 average home value: $116,230
- 1-year home value change (%): 5.6%
- 5-year home value change (%): 84.5%
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2. Rockford, Illinois
- September 2025 average home value: $171,284
- 1-year home value change (%): 7.3%
- 5-year home value change (%): 75.2%
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3. Inkster, Michigan
- September 2025 average home value: $110,642
- 1-year home value change (%): 5.7%
- 5-year home value change (%): 82%
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4. Austintown, Ohio
- September 2025 average home value: $174,835
- 1-year home value change (%): 8.2%
- 5-year home value change (%): 64.4%
5. Sedalia, Missouri
- September 2025 average home value: $179,738
- 1-year home value change (%): 8.8%
- 5-year home value change (%): 58.4%
6. Appleton, Wisconsin
- September 2025 average home value: $292,745
- 1-year home value change (%): 7.8%
- 5-year home value change (%): 61.4%
7. Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- September 2025 average home value: $234,395
- 1-year home value change (%): 6%
- 5-year home value change (%): 66.8%
8. Green Bay, Wisconsin
- September 2025 average home value: $275,966
- 1-year home value change (%): 6.9%
- 5-year home value change (%): 61.9%
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9. Peoria, Illinois
- September 2025 average home value: $128,101
- 1-year home value change (%): 8.3%
- 5-year home value change (%): 54.4%
10. Beloit, Wisconsin
- September 2025 average home value: $196,714
- 1-year home value change (%): 5.6%
- 5-year home value change (%): 66.9%
11. Boardman, Ohio
- September 2025 average home value: $197,727
- 1-year home value change (%): 6.8%
- 5-year home value change (%): 60.9%
12. Sheboygan, Wisconsin
- September 2025 average home value: $260,020
- 1-year home value change (%): 6%
- 5-year home value change (%): 64.2%
13. Marquette, Michigan
- September 2025 average home value: $319,874
- 1-year home value change (%): 7%
- 5-year home value change (%): 59.1%
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14. Kokomo, Indiana
- September 2025 average home value: $175,199
- 1-year home value change (%): 7.6%
- 5-year home value change (%): 54.9%
15. Sidney, Ohio
- September 2025 average home value: $207,707
- 1-year home value change (%): 9%
- 5-year home value change (%): 47.8%
16. Pekin, Illinois
- September 2025 average home value: $134,583
- 1-year home value change (%): 9.7%
- 5-year home value change (%): 44.1%
17. Richmond, Indiana
- September 2025 average home value: $151,602
- 1-year home value change (%): 7.7%
- 5-year home value change (%): 53.4%
18. Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
- September 2025 average home value: $223,050
- 1-year home value change (%): 8.7%
- 5-year home value change (%): 47.2%
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19. Racine, Wisconsin
- September 2025 average home value: $206,882
- 1-year home value change (%): 6%
- 5-year home value change (%): 58.6%
20. Saginaw, Michigan
- September 2025 average home value: $123,598
- 1-year home value change (%): 6.6%
- 5-year home value change (%): 56%
Methodology: For this piece, GOBankingRates analyzed only Midwest cities (defining the Midwest as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) ranked among Zillow’s 2,500 largest housing markets. To qualify, each city had to show both 1-year and 5-year home value growth above the national average. These growth rates were scored and combined, with lower scores indicating stronger performance. The analysis uses Zillow’s September 2025 data, current as of November 3, 2025.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 20 Places To Buy a Home in the Midwest If You Want It To Gain Value
