America’s Most Affordable College Towns Revealed

As Labor Day recedes in the rearview mirror and the fall semester gets underway, now is a good time to examine the nation's most budget-friendly college towns offering recent graduates and young professionals a realistic path to homeownership in a vibrant market without breaking the bank.

Realtor.com® economists analyzed 2025 median listing prices for residential properties in towns anchored by a Division I university.

While 365 institutions make up the NCAA's elite athletic division, markets with fewer than 15 listings were excluded from the list to ensure a reliable estimate.

The remaining 231 markets were then ranked from lowest to highest median asking price, showing where house hunters can still find reasonably priced real estate in vibrant communities that offer economic stability, cultural diversity, and strong local amenities. 

Unsurprisingly, the affordable South dominates the list, accounting for roughly 38% of all ranked markets, followed by the Midwest at approximately 30%. The West and Northeast, which are typically higher-priced housing regions, account for 20% and 12% of the rankings, respectively.  

The 5 affordability bastions

Topping the Realtor.com list of America's most affordable Division I college towns are Detroit, Jackson, MS, Pine Bluff, AR, Macomb, IL, and Peoria, IL.

"These towns tend to have lower land and construction costs, flatter or slower-growing populations, and housing stock that was largely built out before the last two decades of price appreciation," says Realtor.com senior economist Hannah Jones. "That combination keeps home prices tethered to what local wages can actually support, rather than being pulled upward by demand outrunning supply."

Three of the five—Detroit, Macomb, and Peoria—are nestled in the heart of the Midwest, where the typical home is still within reach for a household earning the median salary.

Other notably budget-friendly DI college towns boasting impressive levels of housing affordability include Toledo, OH (University of Toledo); Carbondale, IL (Southern Illinois University of Carbondale); Youngstown, OH (Youngstown State University); Akron, OH (University of Akron); and Cleveland (Cleveland State University). 

1. Detroit, MI

By far the largest market in the top five with a population of nearly 650,000 residents, Detroit anchors its college town status through the University of Detroit Mercy, a private Catholic institution sponsoring 17 NCAA Division I teams, including basketball, cross-country, and lacrosse.

Once America’s economic engine driven by the booming automotive industry, Detroit fell on hard times at the turn of the century, ultimately declaring bankruptcy in 2013. 

In the years since, however, the Motor City has undergone a striking transformation fueled by downtown revitalization and renewed population growth.

A key indicator of Detroit’s changing fortunes is its appreciating real estate market: The metro's median asking price surged more than 12% from 2024 to 2025, a shift reflecting its growing appeal among budget buyers.

Yet despite those gains, Detroit remains one of the most affordable housing markets among the 50 largest U.S. metros.  

"Home shoppers there do face more competition than in past years, but prices are still well-calibrated to local income levels, which lets young buyers get into the market sooner and pair affordable housing with the built-in amenities college towns offer," notes Jones.

2. Jackson, MS

Jackson State University is at the heart of the community of Jackson, MS, the nation's second most affordable Division I college town. (Chad Robertson - stock.adobe.com)

Ranked second on the list, Jackson offers similar affordability, with a median asking price avereging $106,654 in 2025, down more than 12% from the prior year.

Jackson, Mississippi's state capital, is home to Jackson State University—one of four higher education institutions located within the city, and its sole DI school.

For homebuyers looking to relocate, Jackson offers a rich blend of Southern culture, vibrant art and music scenes centered around museums and concert venues, as well as ample career opportunities in government and business. 

3. Pine Bluff, AR

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff anchors the small city of Pine Bluff, AR. (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff)

The second Southern entry in the top five, Pine Bluff, AR, is known for its strong sense of community centered around the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a historically Black university (HBCU). 

With a population under 45,000, Pine Bluff retains a tight-knit, small-town feel offering residents walking trails, fishing piers, and parks. 

Last year, the median asking price in Pine Bluff registered at $106,980, up more than 7% year over year but still a bargain compared with the national figure.

"Modest population growth and ample housing stock relative to demand has kept a lid on price growth," explains Jones.

4. Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University has shaped the identity of Macomb, IL, since its founding in 1899. (Western Illinois University)

Located 75 miles southwest of Peoria, Macomb is a quintessential small-town community that revolves around the historic Western Illinois University (WIU). 

Over the 127 years since its founding, WIU has shaped Macomb’s identity, from its architecture to its open green spaces, including the university's Horn Field Campus, with its acres of woodlands for hiking. 

Macomb’s downtown features a historic central square with coffee shops and boutiques. Residents also enjoy theatrical productions, live music, art shows, and sporting events tied directly to WIU. 

In 2025, the median listing price in town increased by 3% to $107,125. 

5. Peoria, IL

Home of Bradley University, Peoria, IL, is known as one of the top cities for young professionals. (Bradley University)

Bradley University, a private institution known for its NCAA DI basketball team, imbues the city of Peoria with youthful campus energy. 

Cafes, quaint shops, live music venues, and walkable neighborhoods give the city its vitality, while a low cost of living keeps it accessible for students and recent grads.

In fact, a 2026 study by CoworkingCafe ranked Peoria No. 7 nationally for launching a career after college.

"Our colleges partner very well with employers across all industries, providing many opportunities for college students to become involved in the communities prior to graduation," Leslie Rothan, the broker leading The Rothan Group at eXp Realty, tells Realtor.com.

"This allows for a better chance of postgrad employment and lets students continue the roots they established while studying," adds Rothan, a Bradley alumna who chose to remain in Peoria after graduation.

For homebuyers, the value proposition is undeniable, with the median listing price last year coming in at $118,462.

"Peoria has been called 'a big small town.' In comparison to other larger metropolitan areas, we have very similar amenities while offering a lower cost-effective way of living than the larger cities," says Rothan. "The cost of dining and entertainment is lower, making it an affordable, budget-friendly college town." 

Peoria's housing market also offers diverse options across budget levels and preferences.

"We see buyers purchasing a condo for the simplicity of maintenance-free living while also exploring budget-friendly, single-family homes that could eventually become an income-generating asset, should their living needs change," adds the broker.

Broader appeal beyond grads

Overall, these top five education hubs offer would-be homebuyers something that few markets can at a time of economic headwinds and persistent affordability hurdles.

"At a time when starter-home inventory is scarce nationally and young-professional wages make both renting and buying a stretch, these five towns stand out as places where recent grads and early-career professionals can still access the wealth-building potential of homeownership," concludes Jones.

Notably, the appeal of affordable college towns like Jackson or Macomb goes beyond newly minted graduates and young professionals.

These markets typically attract a diverse mix of people, including faculty, parents of students, alumni, and active retirees.

Michael Lyon and his wife, Jane, recently relocated from rural Virginia to Durham, NC, home of Duke University—ranked 172nd on affordability—in their pursuit to spend their golden years in a dynamic, culturally diverse city.

"One of the things about Durham that, I think, leads to that diversity and attraction is Duke University," Jane tells Realtor.com. "It has, obviously, cultural opportunities, educational opportunities."

For Jane and her husband, a college hub like Durham strikes the ideal balance between urban energy and small-town approachability.

"We consider ourselves in the city, but it's a small enough city that it's all right here," she says. "It's easy to access, the entertainment, the performing arts center, baseball, Duke sports."