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Sheryl Nance-Nash
Kelly KuehnUpdated: Nov. 28, 2022
Owning your home is still very much a part of the American dream—but it's not cheap: The national median price is $272,446. Here's a look at the average home costs in each state in 2021.
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What’s the average house price in each state?
Real estate is booming right now across the United States. Mortgage rates are at historic lows, and many homebuyers want to get a mortgage at those low rates while they can. There are many places, though, where the inventory of houses doesn’t meet the demand of homebuyers—and as a result, home prices are fluctuating. Whether you want to buy a new house in your state, buy a house in a different state, or even sell your home, it’s important to know how much a home, on average, costs. Let’s take a look at the average house price in each state as of April 2021.
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Alabama
The average home price is $161,377. If you’re considering a move to the state, one destination to consider is Birmingham—Zillow reports that the average cost of a house in Birmingham is a little more than $80,000.
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Alaska
The state has a steady average home price of $288,234. Zillow reports that Alaska home values have increase 1.2 percent over the past year.
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Arizona
The average home price is $319,888—a whopping 17.7 percent increase over the past year. Phoenix, in particular, has one of the hottest housing markets as of April 2021.
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Arkansas
The average home price is $142,225, which has gone up 7.3 percent from last year. You’ll find that some towns and cities have more expensive housing than others, though. For instance, Cammack Village has an average home price of $226,804, Tontitown has an average home price of $272,446, and Elm Springs has an average home price of $346,645.
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California
Zillow says the average house price in California is $635,055, a 10.9 percent increase from last year. Certain cities, though, have higher average home prices. The average house price in Los Angeles is $826,566, and in Malibu the average home price is more than $3.4 million. If you’re looking for more affordable options in California, Eureka has an average house price of $329,525 and Sacramento has an average house price of $410,061.
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Colorado
The average purchase price is$449,182, a 9.6 percent increase from last year. Notable cities include Colorado Springs, which has an average home price of $363,972 (an impressive 15.4% increase from last year), Federal Heights, which has an average home price of $336,436, and Denver, which has an average home price of $505,516.
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Connecticut
The average house price in Connecticut is $294,046, a 13.1 percent increase over the past year. NBC Connecticut reports that, like many states in America right now, Connecticut is starting to face an inventory shortage. That means there isn’t enough supply (houses) to meet the demand (prospective homebuyers). This can make it tough for homebuyers to find the right property at the right price, especially if they don’t act fast.
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Delaware
The average price for a home in Delaware is $285,750, up 10.3 percent over the past year. Some cities to look into include Claymont, which has an average home value of $244,484, Wyoming, which as an average home price of $202,479, and Ocean View, which has an average home price of $369,740.
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District of Columbia
Ouch: The average purchase price is $672,910, a 3.1 percent increase from last year. Be prepared to face a tight real estate market if you want to live in D.C. Pick where you want to live wisely—the average cost of a house in Georgetown is more than $1.3 million, whereas the average price in Logan Circle is $641,571.
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Florida
The Sunshine State has an average home value of $273,094, a 9.3 percent increase from last year. The weather isn’t the only thing that’s hot in Florida—the real estate market is hot due to low mortgage rates, high demand for homes, and a limited supply of houses.
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Georgia
Home to Hotlanta, the average house price for the state is $228,599—a 9.9 percent increase from last year. Homes in Atlanta, on average, are going for $313,818, while homes in Savannah are going for $198,625.
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Hawaii
The average home price is $689,945, a 5.5 percent increase from last year. The reality is that if you want to live in paradise, be ready to pay the price. The cost of living is high since nearly every consumer good has to be imported from the mainland. But hey, the beaches are fantastic and free.
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Idaho
In Idaho, the average house price is $359,546—a massive 20.9 percent increase over the past year. Why the huge increase? According to Rocket Homes, it’s because people want to ditch the city life and move to more affordable (and less crowded) areas in the Midwest. Boise, in particular, has seen an incredible boom—the average house price in the city is $437,814, which has gone up 28 percent since last year. No wonder why it’s become one of the hottest housing markets in the United States.
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Illinois
The average home price in Illinois is $223,455, which has gone up 7.1 percent over the past year. The average house price in Chicago is $285,579, whereas a home in Clarendon Hills is going for $508,973 on average. If you’re thinking about a move to the Windy City, act fast—the market in the Chicago area is hot right now.
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Indiana
Talk about a state where you can live well on less: The average home costs $174,901 but the cost of living is nearly 18 percent below the U.S. average, according to Best Places. If you want to buy a house in Indiana, take some time to research Indianapolis. There is a revitalized downtown, with new restaurants and shops popping up all over.
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Iowa
If you want to buy a house in the Hawkeye State, expect to see homes hover around $161,290. Iowa has a couple of perks, including its unemployment rate and affordability. Best Places reports that Iowa has a 2.7 percent unemployment rate (below national average), and the cost of living is 16.3 percent lower than the United States average.
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Kansas
With an average house price of $169,388 (an 8.8 percent increase from last year), Kansas is a contender one of the most affordable places to live in the United States. If you’re thinking of moving to the Midwest, Kansas could be a viable option to call home. The average home value for Wichita is $152,907, and Topeka has an average home price of $133,423.
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Kentucky
The state has an average home price of $162,358, an eight percent increase from last year. Some key places to check out include Louisville (average home price is $196,936), Lexington (average home price is $228,092), and Villa Hills (average home price is $275,591).
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Louisiana
With an average house price of $180,661, the state has plenty to offer—most famously, New Orleans. Just know that the vibrant city has the highest home prices in Louisiana. The average house price in New Orleans is $241,334.
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Maine
The state has an average home price of $280,437—a 13 percent increase from last year. Coastal properties may be more expensive, but typically, the prices drop once you look inland.If you can handle the winter, Maine is hard to beat.
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Maryland
The average home price is $346,091, a 9.7 percent increase from last year. If you’re thinking about moving to Baltimore, be prepared to find houses, on average, for $169,327. The city has plenty to offer in the way of arts and culture—and crab cakes, of course. The waterfront has been restored and boasts a top-rated aquarium.
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Massachusetts
If you want to live in the Bay State, be prepared for a more expensive housing market. The state’s average home price is$481,088—an 11.4 percent increase from last year. Homes tend to be more expensive the closer they are to Boston, but the prices get more reasonable if you head out to the Berkshires or the coast.
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Michigan
The average home price in Michigan is $196,088—a 10.6 percent increase over the past year. If you’re looking at Ann Arbor, expect to see houses listed for around $408,000. If you’re looking at Grand Rapids, expect a lower average home price at $272,446. Detroit houses, on average, are going for $47,616.
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Minnesota
With an average home price of $285,690, the state’s most popular place to live is in Minneapolis. Since 2010, the city’s population has grown by 8.4 percent, according to Best Places. Minneapolis has a cosmopolitan feel with mid-size town charm, and houses, on average, go for $311,977.
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Mississippi
The average purchase price of a home in Ole Miss is $135,743—a 5.5 percent increase from last year.You’re in the middle of history and mystery, here. Whether you’re in Biloxi or Natchez, there’s plenty to see, do, and soak up in the way of cuisine and natural beauty.
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Missouri
The average purchase price of a home is $183,031—an increase of 9.8 percent compared to last year. St. Louis homes are, on average, going for $146,648. Another spot to check out is Branson—it’s a hot spot known for its music scene and over-the-top Christmas celebrations.
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Montana
There’s no shortage of outdoor recreation in this state, where the average price of a home is $328,826. Bozeman is thriving—since 2010, the population has grown 18.4 percent, according to Best Places. The unemployment rate is 1.8 percent, which is well below the national average.
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Nebraska
With an average home price of $195,635, Nebraska is an affordable place to settle down. If you want a home in Omaha, expect to pay around $221,098. Homes in Lincoln go for around the same price ($221,206). Housing inventory is pretty tight in Nebraska, though, so expect it to be a seller’s market.
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Nevada
The average house price in Nevada is $338,426, a 9.3 percent increase compared to last year. If you want to live in the City of Lights (Las Vegas), expect to pay an average of $314,433 for a house. If you’re looking into Reno, expect to pay more—the average cost of a house there is $463,264, which has increase an impressive 14.1 percent over the past year.
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New Hampshire
From the Presidential Range to the beaches, the Granite State has a lot to offer, so be prepared to pay a little more if you want to live here. The average home price is $338,281, which has increased 13.4 percent compared to last year. While the pace of the cities here feels manageable, you get big city amenities. The long winters and high property taxes may be the only complaints.
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New Jersey
The average house price in the Garden State is $382,096, up 11.5 percent from last year. New Jersey competes with its notable neighbor by offering livable towns, beautiful beaches, and plenty of open space. It does have a higher sales tax, though, at 6.625 percent.
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New Mexico
This popular vacation destination has an average home price of $232,164 if you’re thinking about staying. Everyone knows about the charms of Santa Fe and Taos, but Albuquerque is reinventing itself—the average home price in Albuquerque is $243,300, up 13.5 percent from last year. The surrounding mountains provide a backdrop that never gets old.
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New York
You might be surprised to hear that the average purchase price of a home is $353,068 in this state, but that obviously falls way below the cost in the five boroughs. Living near or in New York City demands a high salary. For that, you get access to the world’s best food, arts, culture, and entertainment. If you’re looking for more affordable areas, you can look at areas in central New York, upstate New York, and western New York.
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North Carolina
People are heading to this state for a good reason—the average house price is $231,166. Raleigh and Charlotte are mid-sized cosmopolitan cities, with arts, culture, and a lower cost of living compared to bigger cities like New York. Plus, you can head to the coast and get a taste of beach life.
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North Dakota
The average price of a home in Nebraska is $240,841—a 3.2 percent increase from last year. Fargo has all the cultural benefits of a college town plus it boasts plenty of green space. The cost of living is below the national average, according to Best Places, and it can be a good place to live as long as you can handle the winter.
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Ohio
The average price of a home in Ohio is $170,492—an 11 percent increase over the last year.Ohio cities like Cincinnati and Columbus have reinvented themselves, morphing into meccas for arts, culture, and cuisine. Millennials, in particular, are taking a liking to them. The lower cost of living means more money for fun.
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Oklahoma
The home price average of $143,173 makes Oklahoma stand out. Kids can play outdoors year-round here thanks to mild winters and 234 days of sunshine annually—well above the U.S. average.
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Oregon
The state’s average price of a home is up to $409,182—which has increased 10.9 percent from last year. Portlandoffers reliable public transportation, an impressive web of bike trails, and top-notch medical services. The coast, forests, and mountains space offer countless options for recreation.
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Pennsylvania
The average price of a home is $217,984, up more than 10.4 percent within the last year. The state is home to cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburg, so you make a day trip to either city and get your fix of history, art, and culture.
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Rhode Island
The average price of a home is $344,836, a 13.1 percent increase from last year.The quality of life in places like Providence and Newport is hard to beat. The tiniest state in the nation serves up plenty of big-time rewards, like a beautiful coast, lovely homes, and impressive seafood cuisine.
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South Carolina
Although the average price of a home in South Carolina is $210,727, up 8.7 percent since last year. Some areas are more expensive than others, though—for instance, the average price for a home in Charleston is $366,358. However, the average price for a home in Columbia is $160,405, and a home in Myrtle Beach goes, on average, for $206,449. You’ll get year-round sunshine in South Carolina, and there are affordable areas to settle in.
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South Dakota
The average price of a home is $230,530, a 6.3 percent change since last year. Sioux Falls is the little engine that could: It feels like a small town, but its economy ticks away at a much higher pace. The area is fueled by lower cost of living, a good labor force, and business-friendly state laws, according to Best Places. Wells Fargo, Citibank, and others have large processing operations here, helping ensure job growth.
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Tennessee
Home to the Grand Ole Opry, Tennessee’s average home price is $212,236. Nashville draws visitors and new residents alike. The food, the country music, the low cost of living, what’s not to like?
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Texas
The average house price in Texas is $228,255—an 8.5 percent increase from last year. Some cities to consider living in are Austin, (average home price: $482,766), Dallas (average home price: $247,947), San Antonio (average home price: $205,742), and Waco (average home price: $156,417). Make sure you’re okay with the heat if you move to Texas, though—if you can handle that, The Lonestar State could be the place you lay your roots.
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Utah
Utah has seen a large increase in the average price of a home. That price tag is now up to $408,466, up 14.8 percent over the past year. Salt Lake City’s home prices, in particular, have had an impressive increase—now, the average house of a home there is $477,165, which is up 14.6 percent from last year.
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Vermont
With the average price of a home at $279,119, Vermont is more than just a great vacation spot. Lovely towns like Burlington—home to the University of Vermont—and Stowe with its incredible ski resort offer plenty. One drawback: The cost of living is 11.5 percent above the national average, according to Best Places.
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Virginia
The proximity to the nation’s capital helps explain the state’s average home price of $311,877. Plenty of people commute to D.C. for work from Virgina. Homes in Alexandria, which is right near D.C., go for $585,188 on average, whereas houses in Richmond go for $267,878 on average. If you want to live near the ocean, Virginia Beach homes go for $314,669 on average.
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Washington
The tech boom in the Pacific Northwest has boosted the average price of a home to $478,015. Big salaries and an increase in demand have pushed up the cost of living. For instance, the average price of a home in Seattle is $816,718, whereas the price of a home in Olympia goes for $417,726. Tacoma isn’t far behind that price, with an average home price of $411,457. The Pacific Northwest is a gorgeous area, so if you’re okay with the home prices, you’ll live in a state that’s abundant with natural beauty.
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West Virginia
Here you’ll find the average price of a home runs $113,578, which has increased 5.2 percent over the last year. West Virginia is one of the most affordable places to live in the United States, and with plenty of outdoor activities to do, it’s a state to consider living in.
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Wisconsin
The word is out about this state, where the average price of a home is $216,861. The state capital, Madison, happens to also be a lovely college town and great place to call home. Homes in Madison go for around $309,919, on average. If you’re looking outside of Madison, homes in Kenosha are going for $189,372.
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Wyoming
Why not Wyoming? The average price of a home is $263,166, and there are plenty of charming towns like Casper and Jackson Hole. However, according to Best Places, Wyoming jobs have decreased by 1.8 percent. However, the cost of living in Wyoming is 1.9 percent lower than the national average.
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Originally Published: April 14, 2021
Kelly Kuehn
Kelly Kuehn is an associate editor for Reader’s Digest covering entertainment, trivia and history. When she’s not writing you can find her watching the latest and greatest movies, listening to a true-crime podcast (or two), blasting ‘90s music and hiking with her dog, Ryker, throughout the Finger Lakes.