You Don't Need A $100K Salary To Afford A Mortgage In These 3 Livable Cities – Unsurprisingly, In The Midwest

Three Midwest cities are emerging as affordable housing havens, requiring much less than the typical six-figure salary needed for homeownership in many U.S. markets.

Rockford, Illinois; Akron, Ohio; and Canton, Ohio, have secured spots among Realtor.com's top 20 hottest housing markets, offering median home prices around $250,000 – well below the national median of $424,950.

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“The typical [monthly] mortgage payment, assuming a 10% down payment, would be $1,455 or less in these areas,” reports Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com. “Including tax and insurance costs, the minimum recommended income to afford this payment is roughly $73,000, about 10% less than the national median household income.”

Rockford, Illinois, leads the group with a median list price of $242,000, attracting buyers with its proximity to Chicago and Milwaukee. Local real estate agent David Dale Johnson of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices told Realtor.com that his market has had strong activity. “Inventory levels are still low in Rockford," he said. "Some areas of the Rockford market still see full price or greater offers.”

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Akron, Ohio – the birthplace of NBA superstar LeBron James – presents an attractive option at $228,000. Homes sell in just 36 days, 22 days faster than the national average. The city’s appeal extends beyond affordability, according to Gregg Mervis, president of the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Greater Akron is an exceptional location that blends urban excitement with natural beauty.”

Canton, Ohio, with a median price of $252,000, recently topped the Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com Housing Market Ranking. Local expert Paul Gabrail told Realtor.com there is an investment opportunity in the area. “In terms of ROI, if you can buy a property for a relatively low price while the nation’s income goes up, you’ll probably do better in cities like Canton versus bigger cities in the West,” he said.

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These Midwestern markets offer unique advantages beyond price points. Rockford provides free college tuition at Northern Illinois University for qualified residents, while Akron has strong climate resilience with just 1.8% of properties at risk of natural disasters over the next 30 years.

Realtor.com noted that Canton's status as the birthplace of the NFL and home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame adds cultural significance to its economic appeal.

The continued strength of these markets, consistently ranking since February 2022, suggests a sustainable trend rather than a temporary shift. Their affordability, quality of life and economic opportunity make them viable alternatives for homebuyers priced out of larger metropolitan areas.

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