Michael Carbonara's campaign provides this informational guide to public data and methodology for voter education and practical decision-making. The piece points to authoritative public sources and recommends steps readers can take to verify figures and apply them to specific counties or metros.
What “least expensive states to live in the united states” means: definition and context
The phrase least expensive states to live in the united states refers to broad, state-level comparisons of housing purchase cost and basic price levels. Different national datasets measure related but distinct concepts: sale prices, owner-occupied values, and general regional price levels.
Common price measures used in national comparisons include the Zillow Home Value Index, the National Association of REALTORS® median existinghome price, and the American Community Survey median value for owner-occupied housing. Each series captures different transactions and timeframes and must be read with that context in mind; for an introduction to the Zillow series, see the Zillow research data page Zillow research data.
Key price measures and what they capture
The Zillow Home Value Index is a smoothed series tied to sale and listing information that aims to reflect typical market values over time. The NAR median existinghome price reports median sale prices of existing homes and focuses on closed transactions. The Census ACS median owner-occupied value reports values for homes the survey identifies as owner-occupied rather than recent sale prices. These differences affect which places appear as cheapest in a given dataset.
Why one metric alone can mislead readers
Nominal median prices alone can be misleading because they do not account for overall local price levels, property-tax burdens, or local wages. To show how purchase costs relate to local purchasing power, analysts commonly adjust nominal prices with BEA Regional Price Parities (RPPs) to reflect differences in broader local price levels; for more on RPPs, consult the BEA RPP data page BEA Regional Price Parities.
A practical methodology: how to measure and compare affordability
A reproducible, transparent approach avoids single-metric traps. Use a four-part framework: a recent median price series, a BEA RPP adjustment, a state effective property-tax burden, and state median wages. Name each source and the exact date range used.
Step 1: pick a primary price series and date, for example a most-recent state ZHVI or NAR state median sales price. Step 2: obtain BEA RPPs for the same period or the closest available series and apply the parity to derive a price-level adjusted value. Step 3: collect state effective property-tax rates from a consistent Tax Foundation table and translate the rate into an annual tax dollar estimate for the chosen home value. Step 4: add state median wages from BLS to estimate local purchasing power and mortgage qualification context.
When selecting inputs document the exact table and retrieval date, and be explicit about weighting choices if you combine the four inputs into a single score. For the Zillow and NAR series, the Zillow research and NAR state reports are common primary sources Zillow research data.
Why each input matters: median price measures purchase cost. BEA RPPs adjust that cost for general price-level differences across states. Property-tax burdens affect ongoing annual cost even where purchase prices are low, and state median wages indicate the local income available to support mortgage payments and living expenses.
combine median price, RPP, tax rate, and median wage into a simple affordability score
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Use consistent date for all inputs
Practical steps to implement the methodology in a spreadsheet: normalize date formats, convert percentage tax rates to decimal form before calculation, and keep raw source links in a reference sheet so readers can verify each input. The BLS state wage tables and Tax Foundation tax burden pages are the standard public inputs for wages and taxes.
States with the lowest median home prices (nominal): what national datasets show
Across national home-value datasets, a set of inland and Appalachian states commonly appear near the bottom of state median-price lists. Publicly available datasets show states such as West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma frequently among the lowest median home-price states; see national state lists for recent state comparisons Zillow research data and the national home-values page United States home values.
Get the affordability checklist from Michael Carbonara's informational guide
If you want a quick checklist to apply the four-part method to a short list of target states, download a printable methodology checklist you can use while comparing local listings.
Sales-based measures like the NAR median existing-home price can differ from ZHVI because they reflect closed transactions, which can skew toward where sales are more frequent. For state sales and price context consult the National Association of REALTORS® state reports for the latest available series NAR existinghome sales and price reports.
The ACS owner-occupied value sometimes places states differently because it measures the value of homes that people report as owner-occupied rather than recent sale prices; users should compare an ACS-based ranking with sales-based measures to see where they diverge.
Consistent low-price states across ZHVI and NAR
When both ZHVI and NAR state reports are consulted, similar states tend to appear near the bottom of both lists, though the order can change with the metric and date used. That consistency suggests a persistent pattern in nominal prices across multiple public series, which is useful context for buyers and journalists referencing national rankings.
Adjusting nominal prices for local cost of living: the BEA RPP effect
BEA Regional Price Parities measure cost-of-living differences across states and metropolitan areas and are useful for converting nominal home prices into a price-level adjusted view of affordability. The BEA RPP series is the authoritative source for these adjustments BEA Regional Price Parities. Analysts can also consult time series for related indices such as the ZHVI on public data repositories like FRED FRED ZHVI series for alternative downloads and graphing.
It refers to state-level comparisons of housing costs and price levels, but the exact meaning depends on the metric used; a transparent approach combines a recent median price series with BEA RPPs, property-tax burdens, and state median wages to show trade-offs between purchase cost and local purchasing power.
Applying RPPs can move states up or down a ranked list because many low-price states also have lower overall price levels; an RPP adjustment shows whether a low nominal home price still represents a relatively cheap purchase compared with local incomes and prices. Analysts should run both nominal and RPP-adjusted comparisons and report which approach they used.
In practice, RPP adjustment means dividing or scaling a nominal median price by the local RPP index to estimate what the price represents in national purchasing-power terms. That adjusted figure provides a clearer comparison for buyers who are considering how far their money will go across different state markets.
Property taxes and ongoing costs: why purchase price is not the whole story
State effective property-tax burdens can materially change annual housing cost even where purchase prices are low. For comparative state tax context consult the Tax Foundation state property-tax analysis to translate rates into effective burdens Tax Foundation property-tax analysis.
To translate a state effective rate into an annual dollar impact, multiply the effective rate by the chosen home value and report the resulting annual tax estimate alongside mortgage principal, interest, insurance, and HOA where relevant. Including a tax-dollar column in your comparison makes it easier to see how ongoing costs affect monthly affordability.
Other recurring costs to consider include homeowners insurance differences by state and region, typical utility costs, and local special assessments. Those items are often visible in county tax statements and local utility rate data and should be reviewed when moving from state-level comparisons to county or metro checks.
Wages and purchasing power: local earnings matter
Median wages affect mortgage qualification, household debt ratios, and the practical monthly payments buyers can afford. A state with low median home prices but substantially lower wages may still present affordability challenges for local buyers without external income or remote work opportunities.
When comparing states, pair a price-based metric with state median wage figures to estimate a wage-adjusted affordability metric. Document whether wages are median household income or median occupational wages, and keep the metric consistent across states for a fair comparison.
Decision criteria: how to choose a state if affordability is your main goal
Prioritize a short checklist you can apply to target states: confirm a recent median price series (ZHVI, NAR, or ACS), apply the BEA RPP adjustment, factor in the state effective property-tax rate, and compare state median wages and job prospects for your field.
Checklist steps: 1) pick target counties or metros within candidate states; 2) pull the same dated median price series for each county or state; 3) apply the BEA RPP or report nominal and RPP-adjusted figures; 4) calculate estimated annual property tax dollars; 5) compare median wages and local job listings; 6) review current county-level listings and lender prequalification rules.
State averages can hide wide local variation. If affordability is a personal move criterion, move from state-level comparison to county and metro checks early in the process, and speak with a local lender to understand mortgage qualification nuances for your situation. For site updates and related posts see the news archive or visit the homepage.
Common mistakes and pitfalls when using national rankings
A common error is relying on a single metric without checking the series date and coverage. ZHVI, ACS, and NAR reports differ in method and timeframe, so check the source documentation for the exact population and period each series covers before drawing conclusions ACS median owner-occupied value data.
Another pitfall is assuming a low state median implies uniformly low costs across all counties. Many states include higher-cost metropolitan pockets alongside lower-cost rural areas, so county- and metro-level checks are necessary for personal decisions.
Finally, omitting taxes or wages from an affordability assessment can mislead readers. Always include property-tax burden and median wage context alongside purchase price to present a more complete affordability picture.
Practical examples and scenarios: applying the framework
Scenario A, minimizing monthly housing cost: start with a shortlist of states that appear low in recent median-price series, apply RPP adjustments to see which remain comparatively cheap in price-level terms, factor in property-tax dollars to estimate monthly outlay, and then verify local listings and mortgage rates for target counties.
Scenario B, job-driven move: prioritize states or metros with stronger median wages or larger employment opportunities in the buyer’s field. A location with higher nominal prices can still be preferable if the wage and job prospects support higher payments and reduce commute or relocation costs.
In both scenarios move from state comparisons to county and neighborhood listings, obtain a lender prequalification to learn actual borrowing capacity, and update comparisons with the latest local listings and rate environment before making an offer.
Conclusion and next steps: how readers can use these datasets now
Recap the four-part approach: select a recent median price series, apply BEA RPP adjustments, include state effective property-tax burdens, and compare state median wages. Running both nominal and RPP-adjusted comparisons will make trade-offs clear.
Authoritative public sources to check for updates include the BEA for RPPs, Zillow or NAR for recent median price series, the Tax Foundation for property-tax context, BLS for wages, and the Census ACS for owner-occupied values. For local purchase decisions, move from state-level comparison to county-level listings and speak with a local lender for prequalification and current market conditions.
RPPs adjust nominal prices for local price levels so that a state's median home price can be compared on a purchasing-power basis; analysts should run both nominal and RPP-adjusted comparisons when ranking affordability.
Use a recent median price series (Zillow or NAR), BEA RPPs for price-level adjustment, Tax Foundation data for property-tax burdens, and BLS state wage estimates for purchasing power.
No; low nominal prices can coincide with lower wages or higher relative taxes in some places, so include taxes and local wage context before concluding which state offers the lowest monthly cost.
The approach here is methodological rather than prescriptive: state-level rankings are a starting point, not a full answer, and local checks are essential.
References
- https://www.zillow.com/research/data/
- https://www.bea.gov/data/prices/regional-price-parities-state-and-metro-area
- https://www.zillow.com/home-values/102001/united-states/
- https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/existing-home-sales
- https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/USAUCSFRCONDOSMSAMID
- https://taxfoundation.org/state-property-tax-rates-and-burdens/
- https://michaelcarbonara.com/contact/
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm
- https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=median%20value%20owner%20occupied%20housing&tid=ACSDP1Y2022.DP04
- https://michaelcarbonara.com/news/
- https://michaelcarbonara.com/
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