Best Cities for First-Time Buyers
First-time buyers often target lower-priced starter homes. This ranks cities by entry-level (Zillow bottom-tier) home affordability against Census city income.
| # | City | Home value | Est. payment | Income needed | Rent burden | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore · MD | $98,808 | $746 | $31,971 | — | 100 |
| 2 | Toledo · OH | $67,101 | $507 | $21,729 | — | 100 |
| 3 | Cleveland · OH | $73,450 | $554 | $23,743 | — | 100 |
| 4 | Detroit · MI | $48,867 | $369 | $15,814 | — | 100 |
| 5 | Oklahoma City · OK | $125,593 | $948 | $40,629 | — | 100 |
| 6 | Memphis · TN | $79,282 | $599 | $25,671 | — | 100 |
| 7 | Birmingham · AL | $63,068 | $476 | $20,400 | — | 100 |
| 8 | Wichita · KS | $125,010 | $944 | $40,457 | — | 97 |
| 9 | Philadelphia · PA | $133,566 | $1,008 | $43,200 | — | 84 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh · PA | $140,307 | $1,059 | $45,386 | — | 84 |
| 11 | Tulsa · OK | $130,721 | $987 | $42,300 | — | 82 |
| 12 | Des Moines · IA | $153,884 | $1,162 | $49,800 | — | 74 |
| 13 | Columbus · OH | $165,068 | $1,246 | $53,400 | — | 69 |
| 14 | Fort Wayne · IN | $160,142 | $1,209 | $51,814 | — | 64 |
| 15 | Lynchburg · VA | $166,403 | $1,256 | $53,829 | — | 59 |
| 16 | Rockville · MD | $361,472 | $2,729 | $116,957 | — | 54 |
| 17 | Erie · PA | $127,852 | $965 | $41,357 | — | 54 |
| 18 | Scranton · PA | $148,126 | $1,118 | $47,914 | — | 53 |
| 19 | El Paso · TX | $183,474 | $1,385 | $59,357 | — | 49 |
| 20 | Chesapeake · VA | $297,515 | $2,246 | $96,257 | — | 48 |
| 21 | Gaithersburg · MD | $346,190 | $2,613 | $111,986 | — | 47 |
| 22 | Virginia Beach · VA | $306,966 | $2,317 | $99,300 | — | 43 |
| 23 | Roanoke · VA | $183,673 | $1,387 | $59,443 | — | 41 |
| 24 | Buffalo · NY | $168,997 | $1,276 | $54,686 | — | 40 |
| 25 | Rochester · NY | $163,825 | $1,237 | $53,014 | — | 40 |
| 26 | Frederick · MD | $347,350 | $2,622 | $112,371 | — | 37 |
| 27 | Norfolk · VA | $234,902 | $1,773 | $75,986 | — | 37 |
| 28 | Reading · PA | $175,228 | $1,323 | $56,700 | — | 34 |
| 29 | Richmond · VA | $252,463 | $1,906 | $81,686 | — | 31 |
| 30 | Albuquerque · NM | $271,532 | $2,050 | $87,857 | — | 29 |
| 31 | Hagerstown · MD | $212,230 | $1,602 | $68,657 | — | 27 |
| 32 | Allentown · PA | $235,210 | $1,776 | $76,114 | — | 25 |
| 33 | Tucson · AZ | $243,236 | $1,836 | $78,686 | — | 24 |
Sources — Home values & rent: Zillow Research, 2026-08 · Income: U.S. Census ACS. Zillow does not endorse this site.
How this ranking is built
Uses each city's Zillow bottom-tier home value with Census income and the standard mortgage assumptions. Every figure is an educational estimate. See the full methodology, then customize the math on the Home Payment Atlas mortgage calculator.
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Customize this scenario
Want to adjust down payment, taxes, PMI, insurance, or HOA? Open this scenario in the Home Payment Atlas mortgage calculator for full, personalized payment math.
Frequently asked questions
Where does this ranking's data come from?
Home values and rent are from Zillow Research (ZHVI/ZORI), 2026-08; income is from the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-year 2023). Figures are estimates, not appraisals.
How is the ranking calculated?
Uses each city's Zillow bottom-tier home value with Census income and the standard mortgage assumptions. Full details are on the methodology page.
How do I adjust the assumptions?
Open the Home Payment Atlas calculator to set your own down payment, rate, taxes, insurance, and PMI.
About these estimates & data sources
Home values and rents reflect Zillow Research data (ZHVI and ZORI, 2026-08). Household income reflects U.S. Census ACS data. All figures are estimates for general comparison, not appraisals or quotes — confirm details before relying on them.
Home values and rent: Zillow Research (ZHVI, ZORI), 2026-08. Geography and FIPS codes: U.S. Census Bureau (Cartographic Boundary Files). Household income: U.S. Census ACS. Detailed payment math: Home Payment Atlas. Zillow does not endorse this site.
Figures are educational estimates only and are not financial, legal, tax, mortgage, or real-estate advice, and not a loan offer. Verify every number with lenders, agents, tax authorities, and official sources. See our methodology and terms & disclaimer.