LookyLOO's Most Affordable + Desirable Cities
In a recent New York Times article: The author highlights how the housing crisis has hit cities and regions previously thought to be among the most affordable in the country. The reasons for this shift are many:
-Decline in housing development after the Great Recession.
-Increase in loan standards after the housing bubble burst.
-Rise in interest rates in recent years keeping out buyers and keeping owners in their homes.
-Dramatic increase in WFH driving people out from expensive cities to more affordable cities (and creating the same housing cost issue in those new places).
-Empty nesting/retiring massive boomer population that does move also shifting from big, expensive cities to smaller and more affordable cities and driving up home prices in these now less affordable places.
So, are there any cities left for those seeking to shift from the old “affordable” options to new “attainable” options? Here are our top ten that are “attainable” (relative to the competition) but also have some interesting energy, downtown culture, fun, walkability, and at least a commitment to get public transportation right.
If you're interested in affordability but want to add factors more personal to your tastes, take the LookyLOO quiz and get your shortlist of cities exactly right!
- Raleigh, North Carolina
The best city to move to in 2024, per the data, and community sentiment on LookyLOO is Raleigh, North Carolina.
Raleigh offers a ton, including an impressive median family income of nearly $81,000, reasonable average monthly housing costs of $1,446, and an incredible economy and job market (employment rate of 97%).
Raleigh has a great outdoor culture and has made a big investment in building a fun downtown.
Check out the more detailed LookyLOO review of Raleigh including reviews from locals for a deeper sense of living in Raleigh.
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coming in second on our list is Colorado Springs, Colorado. Whoever coined “the great outdoors” may have been talking about Colorado Springs. Nestled at the foot of the Great Rocky Mountains, the city stays humble to its roots as a resort town giving tourists and residents alike an incredible natural palette within which to frolic.
Colorado Springs has an employment rate of 97%, monthly housing costs of $1,500, and a median family income of $69,266. Brookings recently voted it the #1 city for millennials (looking for a great lifestyle and affordable housing), and it gives energy that other attainable cities crave.
Check out the more detailed LookyLOO review of Colorado Springs, including reviews from locals to learn more.
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach flies under the radar, but it shouldn’t. With its unique blend of oceanfront living, suburban calm, and military presence, the city offers a stable economy and a surprisingly solid lifestyle for the price.
The median family income sits at $78,000, with average housing costs of $1,550/month. The area has a diverse job base thanks to defense, tourism, and health care, and is one of the more affordable coastal cities in the U.S.
What makes Virginia Beach pop is the blend of nature (beach, trails, parks) with a growing walkable food and arts scene in neighborhoods like the ViBe Creative District. It's not Brooklyn-by-the-sea, but it’s trending.
Check out the more detailed LookyLOO review of Virginia Beach including reviews from locals to learn more.
- Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville might be most famous for bourbon and the Derby, but affordability is part of its DNA. This is a city where the average home price still hovers around $250,000, and monthly housing costs are roughly $1,200.
Median household income is about $63,000, and jobs in health care, logistics, and higher ed keep the local economy steady.
It’s also way cooler than people expect. A strong indie music and arts culture, plus revitalized neighborhoods like NuLu and Old Louisville, give it a soul. If you're looking for attainability and authenticity, Louisville is in that sweet spot.
Check out the more detailed LookyLOO review of Louisville including reviews from locals to learn more.
- Sacramento, California
Yes, it’s in California. Yes, it’s still attainable—relatively. The median income here is around $78,000, and while average housing costs are higher ($1,850/month), it remains a compelling choice for Bay Area expats who want to keep California perks without the eye-watering price tags.
Sacramento is growing fast, and it shows: a more vibrant food scene, historic neighborhoods like Midtown getting denser and more walkable, and significant investment in rail and public transit. The city is still in the “ascendant underdog” phase—and for many, that’s the perfect time to jump in.
Check out the more detailed LookyLOO review of Sacramento including reviews from locals to learn more.
- Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester has been called “the most underrated city in New England,” and that’s saying something. Just an hour from Boston by commuter rail, it offers average housing costs of $1,500/month and a median household income of $66,000.
Worcester isn’t flashy—but it’s solid. With nine colleges, an underrated arts community, and a big push toward making downtown more pedestrian-friendly, it’s quietly building a reputation as Boston’s more laid-back cousin. If you’re priced out of Cambridge or Somerville, Worcester might feel like a revelation.
Check out the more detailed LookyLOO review of Worcester including reviews from locals to learn more.
- Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the largest city in Ohio—and one of the most surprising. Home to a massive student population (thanks to Ohio State) and a growing tech corridor, it’s both affordable and future-facing. Median income: $70,000. Monthly housing: $1,400.
What makes Columbus stand out is its commitment to urbanism. You’ll find dense neighborhoods like the Short North full of art, food, and nightlife, plus green space galore. Columbus feels like a city building toward something—and that’s a good thing if you’re looking to buy in early.
Check out the more detailed LookyLOO review of Columbus including reviews from locals to learn more.
- Kansas City, Missouri
KC has quietly become a magnet for remote workers and young families seeking something in between “small-town charm” and “big-city buzz.” Average housing costs are around $1,350, median income is about $67,000, and there’s a strong local job market in health care, tech, and manufacturing.
The city has invested heavily in downtown, especially in districts like Crossroads and the Power & Light District. The free streetcar and growing biking infrastructure signal a real shift toward urban accessibility. And yes, the barbecue is as good as they say.
Check out the more detailed LookyLOO review of Kansas City including reviews from locals to learn more.
- Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock isn’t on many lists, which is kind of the point. If you’re looking for a truly attainable option with legit charm and livability, it delivers. Median household income is about $60,000, and housing costs hover around $1,150/month.
There’s a good mix of government, health care, and nonprofit jobs here, and the River Market District has become a hub for culture, food, and nightlife. The city is surrounded by nature, with the Arkansas River Trail providing one of the best urban biking experiences in the South.
Check out the more detailed LookyLOO review of Little Rock including reviews from locals to learn more.
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
You don’t usually think “attainable” when you think Philly—but that’s only if you compare it to the wrong cities. Relative to New York or D.C., Philly is still a bargain. Median income is $63,000, housing costs sit around $1,650/month, and it offers a robust job market in education, health care, and tech.
The city is dense, walkable, and brimming with character. Neighborhoods like Fishtown, Point Breeze, and Brewerytown have transformed in recent years, offering a Brooklyn-like vibe at a fraction of the cost. You get real transit, real history, and real urban living—without the 2-hour subway delays. Also, Philly is no longer a secret for those craving East Coast energy but lower costs. The city is HOT. So, if you're considering, make your move.
Check out the more detailed LookyLOO review of Philadelphia including reviews from locals to learn more.
It's important to remember that some of these cities are "attainable" relative to the surrounding cities. Philadephia, Worcester, or Sacramento are attainable because of their costs relative to the major cities they are near. If you can land a salary common for the Bay Area but live in Sacramento, it's a reasonably priced city – same for Worcester to Boston, and Philadelphia to NYC.
If you're interested in affordability but want to add factors more personal to your tastes, take the LookyLOO quiz and get your shortlist of cities exactly right!
Finally, if you want to simply browse tons of different city options based on your preferences, Check out our city guides and remember to save cities or neighborhoods you prefer to a new Movebook. That's a workspace where you can save and share everything you learn about on the way: cities, neighborhoods, schools, listings, and more.