Routing # 256078446
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Best Small Towns in America to Move To
EXPECTED READ TIME: 3 MINUTES
May 28, 2021
Small town America has never been more popular. Whether you're tired of the big city and looking for the best small towns in America to move to, raise a family, or retire in — read on to see our top picks for towns with a population of less than 50,000.
And we're not just reviewing the cheapest small towns to live in. The town has to be both affordable and livable. That's why the towns we selected have a median home price under the U.S. average of $340,000 as of January 2021. The areas we focused on were New England, Colorado, Northern California, and South Carolina.
Small Affordable New England Towns
New England covers the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. It's one of our country's most beautiful areas with its distinct four seasons and vibrant, colorful foliage. If you love history, you'll find it in New England. And there's something for everyone whether you're single and wanting to go to college, have a growing family, or are retired. If you love good food, local sports, mountains, and the seaside —this area of the country may be ideal for you. Consider these highly livable New England small affordable towns.
Gorham, New Hampshire
- Population = 2,625
- Median home price = $149,900
Machias, Maine
- Population = 1,136
- Median home price = $178,189
Westfield, Massachusetts
- Population = 41,449
- Median home price = $249,900
Groton, Connecticut
- Population = 38,825
- Median home price = $249,900
Middlebury, Vermont
- Population = 8,661
- Median home price = $280,000
Easthampton Town, Massachusetts
- Population = 16,000
- Median home price = $295,474
Affordable Small Towns in Colorado
Colorado has some of the best affordable small towns to live in if outdoor activities are important to you. With 300 days of the year being sunny, you won't feel cooped up in your house waiting for sunshine. Spring brings blooming pansies, daffodils, and tulips. Summertime offers blue skies, amazing sunsets, and the best time for camping and hiking. Fall leaves show the changing seasons and bring the delight of crackling leaves under your feet. And winter ski slopes are some of the best in the world. If you're looking for small towns in the great outdoors, check out our choices.
Log Lane Village
- Population = 1,217
- Median home price = $96,200
Lamar
- Population = 7,564
- Median home price = $99,400
Battlement Mesa
- Population = 5,116
- Median home price = $183,800
Yuma
- Population = 3,479
- Median home price = $191,800
Fort Lupton
- Population = 8,133
- Median home price = $240,500
Affordable Small Towns in Northern California
Northern California covers a huge part of the state from Fresno through San Jose, Sacramento, and up to the top of the state. Affordable small towns in California, along with employment opportunities, hardly ever go together.
And finding a town with home prices under the national average of $340,000 was a challenge. Some of these towns are tiny. Columbia, for example, is an old gold miners' town. If you're looking to move to any of these locations, have your income set up first. A well-paying telecommuting job can be a great option. The scenery is beautiful, with lots of trees, hills, lakes, and rivers — a real paradise. Here are the tiny towns we found.
Colusa
- Population = 5,935
- Median home price = $255,264
Columbia
- Population = 2,770
- Median home price = $322,168
Portola
- Population = 1,913
- Median home price = $194,215
Chester
- Population = 2,195
- Median home price = $287,113
Weaverville
- Population = 3,241
- Median home price = $263,163
Most Affordable Small Towns in South Carolina
South Carolina has some of the most affordable small towns to retire in as compared to other states. And it's not just the low cost of living that's attractive. Residents enjoy four seasons, beautiful beaches with amazing sunsets, lots of festivals, and local produce all year. And don't forget about the friendly people. If you're looking to move to one of the most affordable places to live where there's plenty to do, consider South Carolina. Here are our top picks.
Due West
- Population = 1,321
- Median home price = $184,700
Mauldin
- Population = 24,723
- Median home price = $235,000
Northlake
- Population = 4,086
- Median home price = $237,450
Simpsonville
- Population = 20,183
- Median home price = $263,360
Hanahan
- Population = 20,710
- Median home price = $277,809
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Home Buying Steps
Mortgage Products
Disclosures
1Conventional Loans
Except for holidays, rates are updated Monday through Friday at 10:15am EST. The advertised rates and points are subject to change. The information provided is based on 1.0 discount point, which equals 1.0 percent of the loan amount, and assumes the purpose of the loan is to purchase a property with a 30-year, conforming, fixed-rate loan. Loan amount of $400,000; loan-to-value ratio of 75%; credit score of 760; and DTI of 18% or less. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The advertised rates are based on certain assumptions and loan scenarios, and the rate you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your credit history, loan amount, down payment, and our internal credit criteria. Other rates, points, and terms may be available. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.
Rates quoted require a loan origination fee of 1%; not to exceed $1,995. Speak to a PenFed Mortgage Loan Officer for additional details.
2FHA Loans
Except for holidays, rates are updated Monday through Friday at 10:15am EST. The advertised rates and points are subject to change. The information provided is based on 1.0 discount point, which equals 1.0 percent of the loan amount, and assumes the purpose of the loan is to purchase a property with a 30-year, conforming, fixed-rate loan. Loan amount of $400,000; loan-to-value ratio of 96.5%; credit score of 760; and DTI of 18% or less. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The advertised rates are based on certain assumptions and loan scenarios, and the rate you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your credit history, loan amount, down payment, and our internal credit criteria. Other rates, points, and terms may be available. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.
Rates quoted require a loan origination fee of 1%; not to exceed $1,995. Speak to a PenFed Mortgage Loan Officer for additional details.
3VA Loans
Except for holidays, rates are updated Monday through Friday at 10:15am EST. The advertised rates and points are subject to change. The information provided is based on 1.125 discount point, which equals 1.125 percent of the loan amount, and assumes the purpose of the loan is to purchase a property with a 30-year, conforming, fixed-rate loan. Loan amount of $450,000; loan-to-value ratio of 95%; credit score of 760; and DTI of 18% or less. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The advertised rates are based on certain assumptions and loan scenarios, and the rate you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your credit history, loan amount, down payment, and our internal credit criteria. Other rates, points, and terms may be available. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.
Rates quoted require a loan origination fee of $995.
4Jumbo Loans
Except for holidays, rates are updated Monday through Friday at 10:15am EST. The advertised rates and points are subject to change. The information provided is based on 1.25 discount point, which equals 1.25 percent of the loan amount, and assumes the purpose of the loan is to purchase a property with a 30-year, non-conforming, fixed-rate loan. Loan amount of $1,009,000; loan-to-value ratio of 70%; credit score of 760; and DTI of 18% or less. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The advertised rates are based on certain assumptions and loan scenarios, and the rate you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your credit history, loan amount, down payment, and our internal credit criteria. Other rates, points, and terms may be available. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.
Rates quoted require a loan origination fee of 1%; not to exceed $1,995. Speak to a PenFed Mortgage Loan Officer for additional details.
Fixed Rate Advance Lock-In You may lock in an Annual Percentage Rate for Advances during the Advance Period. During your Advance Period, you may choose to have three separate Fixed Rate Advances locked in at any one time, with a maximum of two new Fixed Rate Advances per calendar year. Each Fixed Rate Advance must equal or exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and you may not request a Fixed Rate Advance that would cause the amount you owe to exceed your Credit Limit. The only term option for your Fixed Rate Advance is 240 months (“Fixed Rate Advance Term”). However, the term of your Fixed Rate Advance cannot exceed your Repayment Period.
Routing #256078446
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