It’s not clickbait to say that the top one will surprise you.
The real estate market is going bananas (the technical word, we’re guessing) right now. States across the country are seeing bidding wars in both urban locations and rural. Nationwide, housing prices have risen more than 35 percent over the last year. San Mateo County has the honor, or perhaps dubious distinction, of being the first market to break a median home price of $2 million.
You aren’t alone if you’re feeling left out of the real estate market, and not just in California. People everywhere are feeling as though they’ll never be able to afford a home of their own, especially as the nation is seeing a rising cost of living. Each year, Wallethub releases a list of the best states to live in. They use criteria such as education rate, quality of hospitals, income growth, quality of life, safety, and yes, housing prices. Believe it or not, some are almost affordable.
Some of the rankings are confusing. Some states (like Utah) score very close to the top on the main metrics, but score #7. You can read the methodology here.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, the second home state for Fairprice Movers, is number 10 of the best states to live, according to the survey. Pennsylvania rates a total score of 59.21. The Keystone State ranks near the middle in most metrics (#30 in affordability, #42 for its economy) but a higher ranking in health and education (#25) pushes it to the top 10.
Pennsylvania’s cost of living
Pennsylvania’s median household income is just shy of $62,000 and its median home cost is only about $174,000.
Iowa
When a lot of us think of Iowa, we think of corn fields and flatlands. While that might be true, it’s the ninth best state to live in, according to the survey. It ranks #20 in affordability, which might be surprising. Its economy and cost of living, at #13 and its education and health rankings, at #11 help give Iowa an overall ranking of 59.49.
Iowa’s cost of living
Iowa’s household income is around $60,000 and homes are very affordable with a median home price of about $158,000.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire isn’t the only New England state to make our top 10 list of best places to move to. The total score for New Hampshire is a very respectful 59.59. New Hampshire ranks low in affordability (#40) but the New Hampshire economy and cost of living rank #4 and education and health rank #6. If you want to experience New England life without spending an arm and a leg, New Hampshire might be the answer.
New Hampshire’s cost of living
The median household in New Hampshire earns about $75,000 and the median home cost is about $274,000.
Utah
If you love the Rocky Mountains, but you don’t want to pay Colorado’s high housing prices and high cost of living, Utah might be the answer. Utah’s total score is 59.84 and it places toward the top in nearly every metric. It ranks #6 in affordability, #3 in its economy and #8 in education and health.
Utah’s cost of living
Utah’s median income is about $76,000 and its median home price is about $425,000, which is still considerably higher than the US median, at about $295,000. Utah’s other quality of life metrics are what elevates it to the top 10.
Wisconsin
The Dairy State is another of three midwestern states to rank in the top 10. With a healthy score of 60.94, Wisconsin ranks #32 in affordability, #20 in its economy and #10 in education and health.
Wisconsin’s cost of living
Wisconsin’s median income is about $64,000 and its median home price is about $226,000.
Minnesota
The Land of 10,000 Lakes is the top ranking midwestern state with a total score of 60.79. It ranks very respectably at #9 for affordability, #16 for its economy and cost of living, and #4 for education and health.
Minnesota’s cost of living
The median household income in Minnesota is about $71,000. Its median home price is around $235,000.
Idaho
Washington and Oregon are nearly as expensive as California, so a lot of people are moving to their neighbor state of Idaho. The Gem State rates as the 4th best place to live on the list of best states to live in. Idaho’s total score is 61.16. It ranks #15 for affordability, #5 for its economy and #29 for education and health.
Idaho’s cost of living
Idaho’s median household income is about $66,000 and its median home price is about $389,000.
New York
The third of the best states to live in surprised us a little. New York, The Empire State has a total score of 61.63, which is surprising given how it ranked with the main metrics for the best states. New York ranks #47 in affordability, #33 for the economy and #18 for education and health. While the cost of living in the city is high, you can find very affordable real estate if you head upstate. Way upstate.
New York’s cost of living
The median household income is about $72,000 and its median home price is about $657,000.
Massachussets
Rounding out our New England states is Massachusetts, with a total score of 62.70. Ranked at #45 for its cost of living, it’s one of the least affordable states to live on the list. Its economy fares better at #12 in the country. It’s probably not surprising that the state that’s home to Harvard ranks #1 in health and education.
Massachusetts’s cost of living
Massachusetts’s median income is about $81,000 and its median home price is about $508,000.
New Jersey
Some of us had to look twice at the list. New Jersey is the top rated state, with a score of 63.01. Despite New Jersey’s reputation, its nickname of The Garden State is earned. New Jersey is close to the bottom for affordability — ranked #49. Its economy and cost of living rank #32 and it ranks #5 for education and health.
New Jersey’s cost of living
The median income in New Jersey is around $83,000 and the median home price in New Jersey is about $500,000.
If you plan to move to any of the best states, or any of the US Continental States, Fairprice Movers can move you there at a very reasonable price.
