Dreaming of East Coast living without the sky-high real estate prices? From charming mountain view towns to quiet inland communities, not every corner of the East Coast comes with a luxury price tag. Whether you’re looking for a starter home, a place to retire or just a more affordable ZIP code near the Atlantic, there are pockets of the region that are dirt cheap.
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Using data from Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and the U.S. Census Bureau regarding population, GOBankingRates has put together a list of the most affordable towns to buy a home on the East Coast.
Alabama
- Cheapest place: Selmont-West Selmont
- 2025 ZHVI: $31,951
- Total population: 2,121
Situated near the Alabama River, Selmont-West Selmont is near the Edmund Pettus Bridge, a historical landmark where marches from Selma to Montgomery took place during the Civil Rights Movement. According to BestPlaces, it’s nearly 30% lower than the national average to live and the typical home price is over 90% cheaper.
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Connecticut
- Cheapest place: Hartford
- 2025 ZHVI: $261,785
- Total population: 119,970
Hartford, the state capital, offers a historical charm, a growing job market in the insurance industry and affordability. The cost of living is 4.8% higher than the national average, but 6.3% lower than Connecticut’s average, per BestPlaces. Homes are 46.7% less expensive than the national average.
Delaware
- Cheapest place: Blades
- 2025 ZHVI: $235,753
- Total population: 1,055
With its close proximity to Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, there’s no shortage of things to do — golfing, hitting the beach, kayaking and more. The cost of living is 8.1% higher than the national average and 4.4% more than the state’s average. However, housing is where you’ll save; home prices are around 43% less expensive than the national average.
Florida
- Cheapest place: Gretna
- 2025 ZHVI: $87,664
- Total population: 1,405
Gretna is an idyllic small town where prices are reasonable. The cost of living is 16.3% lower than the national average, according to BestPlaces, and housing is cheap, too. Home prices are around 74% lower than the U.S. average.
Georgia
- Cheapest place: Cuthbert
- 2025 ZHVI: $59,311
- Total population: 3,045
Founded in the 1800s, Cuthbert is nestled near the Chattahoochee River, where you can enjoy canoeing, taking in the beautiful scenery or picnicking. According to BestPlaces, the cost of living is 34% lower than the national average and a home is 80% cheaper.
Maine
- Cheapest place: Van Buren
- 2025 ZHVI: $103,455
- Total population: 1,614
Van Buren is an idyllic and inviting small community that’s located along the Saint John River.
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Maryland
- Cheapest place: Kitzmiller
- 2025 ZHVI: $80,272
- Total population: 192
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Kitmiller is a quiet community that’s surrounded by awe-inspiring landscapes and you can snag a home for 78% less than the national average. The cost of living is 16.5% lower than the national average.
Massachusetts
- Cheapest place: North Adams
- 2025 ZHVI: $243,572
- Total population: 12,660
From outdoor concerts, beer gardens and theater festivals, North Adams offers interesting things to do without a hefty price tag. According to BestPlaces, it’s 4.1% cheaper than the national average to live in the small town and buying a home is 37% less than the national average.
New Hampshire
- Cheapest place: Groveton
- 2025 ZHVI: $159,727
- Total population: 871
Situated in the White Mountains area, Groveton is a unique community where you can hike, enjoy stunning views, zipline and hit the speedway if you want some action. The cost of living is 21.4% less than the national average and the typical home price is 52% cheaper.
New Jersey
- Cheapest place: Camden
- 2025 ZHVI: $151,947
- Total population: 71,471
From family-friendly attractions to historical sites, there’s plenty to do in Camden without breaking the bank. The cost of living is 5.8% lower than the national average, and home prices are affordable, too — 55% lower than the national average.
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New York
- Cheapest place: Lyon Mountain
- 2025 ZHVI: $60,164
- Total population: 240
Lyon Mountain is a scenic, rural community that has no shortage of breathtaking hikes and is very reasonably priced. The cost of living is 19% lower than the national average and 33% cheaper than New York’s average, per BestPlaces. You can scoop up a cheap home for 83% lower than the national average.
North Carolina
- Cheapest place: Roxobel
- 2025 ZHVI: $45,507
- Total population: 347
Established in 1724, Roxobel is a tranquil area to live in for a reasonable price. According to BestPlaces, Roxobel is 26% cheaper to live than the national average.
Pennsylvania
- Cheapest place: Girardville
- 2025 ZHVI: $41,732
- Total population: 1,094
Girardville is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of big city life, but it still has everyday conveniences and inexpensive living. A house in Girardville is a steal — around 90% less expensive than the national average — and the overall cost of living is 22% cheaper.
Rhode Island
- Cheapest place: Central Falls
- 2025 ZHVI: $393,251
- Total population: 22,481
Whether you love historical walking tours, relaxing riverboat adventures or fun community events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Central Falls. While cost of living is 8.8% higher than the national average, it’s 3.3% cheaper than the state average, per BestPlaces.
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South Carolina
- Cheapest place: Wagener
- 2025 ZHVI: $46,191
- Total population: 1,170
Wagener is a lively, welcoming town with a close-knit community where locals always show up to support one another. Another perk is the cost of living, which is 15% less than the national average.
Vermont
- Cheapest place: Orleans
- 2025 ZHVI: $158,790
- Total population: 848
Known for its stunning beauty and quaint vibe, Orleans costs 12% less than the national average and 13% less than Vermont’s average.
Virginia
- Cheapest place: Appalachia
- 2025 ZHVI: $48,574
- Total population: 1,612
Appalachia is located near the Appalachian Mountains and the small town once was a booming coal mining area. Now, it’s where people can enjoy a serene lifestyle at affordable prices. The cost of living is 30% lower than the national average.
West Virginia
- Cheapest place: War
- 2025 ZHVI: $31,962
- Total population: 593
War is a budget-friendly town named after War Creek, which runs through the area. The cost of living is 30% cheaper than the national average, and houses are a steal.
Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed.
Methodology: To find the cheapest place to buy a home in every state, GOBankingRates analyzed every state to find the cities with the cheapest median home values, as sourced from Zillow Home Value Index. For each city, the total population was sourced from the U.S. Census American Consumer Survey as supplemental data. All data was collected on and is up to date as of May 27, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Cheapest Place To Buy a Home in Every East Coast State
