Additional Coverage:
- You Could Live In a Picturesque Mountain Town for Under $50,000 (momswhothink.com)
Dreamy Mountain Living Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank: 50 Affordable Towns to Consider
For many, the idea of mountain living conjures images of serene mornings, crisp air, and stunning natural backdrops. While this idyllic lifestyle might seem out of reach financially, a new analysis reveals that affordable mountain towns are indeed a reality. If you’ve been dreaming of a charming mountain abode without the hefty price tag, now might be the perfect time to explore your options.
A recent study by Moms Who Think delved into five years of U.S. Census Bureau data to identify picturesque mountain towns offering more attainable housing. The research focused on the ratio of median home value to median household income, pinpointing locations where homes are more affordable relative to local earnings.
To be considered, towns and Census-designated places needed a population of at least 500 residents and a minimum of 5% of housing units designated for seasonal or recreational use. Each location also had to intersect with a mountain, based on spatial boundaries from the GMBA Mountain Inventory v2 of EarthEnv.
Adding another layer to the analysis, each town also received a Niche grade. These grades provide a comprehensive look at various factors, including cost of living, public school quality, diversity, and access to outdoor activities, painting a more complete picture of life in these mountain communities.
Here’s a look at the top 50 most affordable mountain towns, starting with number 50 and counting down to the most budget-friendly gem:
50. Ridgecrest, California
- Median home value: $224,600 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $85,872
- Overall Niche grade: B+
- Total population: 28,118
49. Steele Creek, Alaska
- Median home value: $309,900 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $118,934
- Overall Niche grade: B
- Total population: 6,542
48. Cumberland, Maryland
- Median home value: $119,500 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $45,915
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 19,041
47. White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
- Median home value: $122,000 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $47,292
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 2,707
46. Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $125,700 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $48,776
- Overall Niche grade: B
- Total population: 76,119
45. Apple Mountain Lake, Virginia
- Median home value: $310,200 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $120,539
- Overall Niche grade: B
- Total population: 1,584
44. Cobleskill, New York
- Median home value: $168,800 (2.6 times income)
- Median household income: $65,610
- Overall Niche grade: B
- Total population: 4,152
43. Deltana, Alaska
- Median home value: $267,700 (2.5 times income)
- Median household income: $105,250
- Overall Niche grade: C+
- Total population: 2,059
42. Lakemont, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $118,600 (2.5 times income)
- Median household income: $46,840
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 1,511
41. Pulaski, Virginia
- Median home value: $137,400 (2.5 times income)
- Median household income: $55,213
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 8,982
40. Keyser, West Virginia
- Median home value: $115,400 (2.5 times income)
- Median household income: $46,724
- Overall Niche grade: B
- Total population: 4,879
39. Nice, California
- Median home value: $170,600 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $69,653
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 2,389
38. Mount Union, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $93,600 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $38,382
- Overall Niche grade: C+
- Total population: 2,130
37. Middlesborough, Kentucky
- Median home value: $87,000 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $35,798
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 9,383
36. Whitehall, New York
- Median home value: $96,400 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $40,294
- Overall Niche grade: C
- Total population: 2,166
35. Lewistown, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $86,500 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $36,166
- Overall Niche grade: C+
- Total population: 8,522
34. Hinton, West Virginia
- Median home value: $85,400 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $35,735
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 2,167
33. Gorham, New Hampshire
- Median home value: $132,800 (2.4 times income)
- Median household income: $55,845
- Overall Niche grade: B
- Total population: 2,043
32. Jenkins, Kentucky
- Median home value: $61,300 (2.3 times income)
- Median household income: $26,500
- Overall Niche grade: C+
- Total population: 1,862
31. La Vale, Maryland
- Median home value: $168,200 (2.3 times income)
- Median household income: $73,778
- Overall Niche grade: A-
- Total population: 4,351
30. Powells Crossroads, Tennessee
- Median home value: $146,100 (2.3 times income)
- Median household income: $64,100
- Overall Niche grade: B
- Total population: 1,686
29. Ellenville, New York
- Median home value: $172,700 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $77,125
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 4,213
28. Berlin, New Hampshire
- Median home value: $93,200 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $41,638
- Overall Niche grade: C
- Total population: 9,485
27. Olyphant, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $132,200 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $60,120
- Overall Niche grade: B
- Total population: 5,372
26. Richwood, West Virginia
- Median home value: $68,000 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $30,962
- Overall Niche grade: C
- Total population: 2,567
25. Altoona, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $110,700 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $50,435
- Overall Niche grade: B
- Total population: 43,821
24. Warm Springs, Oregon
- Median home value: $129,200 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $59,167
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 2,453
23. Old Forge, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $156,300 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $71,615
- Overall Niche grade: A-
- Total population: 8,506
22. Neah Bay, Washington
- Median home value: $137,500 (2.2 times income)
- Median household income: $63,750
- Overall Niche grade: B+
- Total population: 1,081
21. Metlakatla, Alaska
- Median home value: $163,900 (2.1 times income)
- Median household income: $78,750
- Overall Niche grade: C
- Total population: 1,437
20. Marlinton, West Virginia
- Median home value: $82,000 (2.1 times income)
- Median household income: $39,643
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 1,139
19. Bluefield, West Virginia
- Median home value: $94,400 (2.1 times income)
- Median household income: $45,854
- Overall Niche grade: B
- Total population: 9,619
18. Saltville, Virginia
- Median home value: $84,900 (2.1 times income)
- Median household income: $41,339
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 2,085
17. Bowling Green, Maryland
- Median home value: $119,100 (2.0 times income)
- Median household income: $59,773
- Overall Niche grade: B
- Total population: 1,102
16. Parsons, West Virginia
- Median home value: $88,600 (1.9 times income)
- Median household income: $45,729
- Overall Niche grade: C+
- Total population: 1,524
15. Dannemora, New York
- Median home value: $130,900 (1.9 times income)
- Median household income: $67,778
- Overall Niche grade: C+
- Total population: 3,373
14. McClure, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $119,100 (1.9 times income)
- Median household income: $62,667
- Overall Niche grade: C+
- Total population: 1,171
13. Patrick Springs, Virginia
- Median home value: $99,500 (1.9 times income)
- Median household income: $52,548
- Overall Niche grade: B
- Total population: 2,204
12. Renovo, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $54,400 (1.9 times income)
- Median household income: $28,750
- Overall Niche grade: C
- Total population: 1,081
11. Cumberland, Kentucky
- Median home value: $59,900 (1.8 times income)
- Median household income: $32,716
- Overall Niche grade: C+
- Total population: 2,390
10. Covington, Virginia
- Median home value: $80,100 (1.8 times income)
- Median household income: $45,737
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 5,722
9. Westernport, Maryland
- Median home value: $83,500 (1.6 times income)
- Median household income: $50,938
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 1,993
8. Springville, Virginia
- Median home value: $65,700 (1.6 times income)
- Median household income: $41,250
- Overall Niche grade: B
- Total population: 1,017
7. East Carbon, Utah
- Median home value: $80,700 (1.5 times income)
- Median household income: $52,554
- Overall Niche grade: C+
- Total population: 1,441
6. Atkins, Virginia
- Median home value: $66,300 (1.5 times income)
- Median household income: $43,318
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 1,028
5. King Cove, Alaska
- Median home value: $118,200 (1.5 times income)
- Median household income: $79,844
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 1,108
4. Searles Valley, California
- Median home value: $78,000 (1.4 times income)
- Median household income: $54,013
- Overall Niche grade: C-
- Total population: 1,716
3. Desert Edge, California
- Median home value: $53,600 (1.4 times income)
- Median household income: $38,668
- Overall Niche grade: B-
- Total population: 3,715
2. Hays, Montana
- Median home value: $63,600 (1.3 times income)
- Median household income: $49,423
- Overall Niche grade: C-
- Total population: 1,095
1. Johnstown, Pennsylvania
- Median home value: $40,000 (1.2 times income)
- Median household income: $33,466
- Overall Niche grade: C
- Total population: 18,429
Read More About This Story:
- You Could Live In a Picturesque Mountain Town for Under $50,000 (momswhothink.com)