The 50 Best Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in America

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 3,996 towns of 10,000–50,000 people in the U.S.. #1 is Knightdale, NC.

1. 50Saco, Maine

   Better for first-time buyers than 97% of U.S. towns

   Saco is a city of 20,381 people in York County, Maine. It also ranks more walkable than 96% of Maine towns and more vibrant than 93% of Maine towns.

   20,381 people · York County · median home $413,100 · income $92,241 · Jan low 16°F · 65 in snow

   Full Saco, Maine profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 49Westbrook, Maine

   Better for first-time buyers than 97% of U.S. towns

   Westbrook is a city of 20,400 people in Cumberland County, Maine. It also ranks more walkable than 98% of Maine towns and more vibrant than 96% of Maine towns.

   20,400 people · Cumberland County · median home $383,300 · income $85,038 · Jan low 16°F · 69 in snow

   Full Westbrook, Maine profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 48Yucca Valley, California

   Better for first-time buyers than 97% of U.S. towns

   Yucca Valley is a town of 21,738 people in San Bernardino County, California. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 83% of California towns and easier by car than 82% of California towns.

   21,738 people · San Bernardino County · median home $363,400 · income $59,563 · Jan low 38°F · 2 in snow

   Full Yucca Valley, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 47Barnegat, New Jersey

   Better for first-time buyers than 97% of U.S. towns

   

   Barnegat is a township of 24,296 people in Ocean County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 91% of New Jersey towns and better for cycling than 90% of New Jersey towns.

   24,296 people · Ocean County · median home $399,000 · income $91,540 · Jan low 22°F · 10 in snow

   Full Barnegat, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 46Hutto, Texas

   Better for first-time buyers than 97% of U.S. towns

   Hutto is a city of 27,577 people in Williamson County, Texas. It also ranks more of a college town than 96% of Texas towns and more upscale than 85% of Texas towns.

   27,577 people · Williamson County · median home $365,700 · income $118,834 · Jan low 37°F · 0 in snow

   Full Hutto, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 45Naugatuck, Connecticut

   Better for first-time buyers than 97% of U.S. towns

   Naugatuck is a borough of 31,519 people, Connecticut. It also ranks more vibrant than 83% of Connecticut towns and more walkable than 82% of Connecticut towns.

   31,519 people · median home $259,100 · income $96,324 · Jan low 20°F · 45 in snow

   Full Naugatuck, Connecticut profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 44Douglasville, Georgia

   Better for first-time buyers than 97% of U.S. towns

   Douglasville is a city of 34,650 people in Douglas County, Georgia. It also ranks better for young professionals than 84% of Georgia towns and more vibrant than 84% of Georgia towns.

   34,650 people · Douglas County · median home $359,200 · income $79,107 · Jan low 32°F · 2 in snow

   Full Douglasville, Georgia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 43East Point, Georgia

   Better for first-time buyers than 97% of U.S. towns

   East Point is a city of 38,358 people in Fulton County, Georgia. It also ranks better transit than 99% of Georgia towns and more walkable than 98% of Georgia towns.

   38,358 people · Fulton County · median home $281,600 · income $68,598 · Jan low 36°F · 2 in snow

   Full East Point, Georgia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 42Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey

   Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

   Lake Hopatcong is a community of 10,232 people in Morris County, New Jersey. It also ranks quieter than 82% of New Jersey towns and better for families than 81% of New Jersey towns.

   10,232 people · Morris County · median home $424,200 · income $117,625 · Jan low 19°F · 28 in snow

   Full Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 41Essex Junction, Vermont

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Essex Junction is a city of 10,590 people in Chittenden County, Vermont. It also ranks more vibrant than 98% of Vermont towns and more walkable than 97% of Vermont towns.

    10,590 people · Chittenden County · median home $407,500 · income $89,257 · Jan low 10°F · 86 in snow

    Full Essex Junction, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 40West Perrine, Florida

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    West Perrine is a community of 10,602 people in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It also ranks more walkable than 91% of Florida towns and better transit than 89% of Florida towns.

    10,602 people · Miami-Dade County · median home $411,500 · income $66,997 · Jan low 55°F · 0 in snow

    Full West Perrine, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 39Springdale, Ohio

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Springdale is a city of 11,007 people in Hamilton County, Ohio. It also ranks more vibrant than 97% of Ohio towns and better transit than 81% of Ohio towns.

    11,007 people · Hamilton County · median home $192,000 · income $67,903 · Jan low 22°F · 14 in snow

    Full Springdale, Ohio profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 38Pompton Lakes, New Jersey

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Pompton Lakes is a borough of 11,127 people in Passaic County, New Jersey. It also ranks more of a college town than 92% of New Jersey towns and easier by car than 83% of New Jersey towns.

    11,127 people · Passaic County · median home $442,400 · income $124,454 · Jan low 20°F · 28 in snow

    Full Pompton Lakes, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 37Dingman, Pennsylvania

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Dingman is a township of 12,490 people in Pike County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 99% of Pennsylvania towns and better for families than 96% of Pennsylvania towns.

    12,490 people · Pike County · median home $286,500 · income $100,972 · Jan low 16°F · 42 in snow

    Full Dingman, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 36Upper, New Jersey

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    

    Upper is a township of 12,539 people in Cape May County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 93% of New Jersey towns and quieter than 90% of New Jersey towns.

    12,539 people · Cape May County · median home $411,500 · income $111,991 · Jan low 23°F · 20 in snow

    Full Upper, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 35Palmetto, Florida

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Palmetto is a city of 13,323 people in Manatee County, Florida. It also ranks more vibrant than 81% of Florida towns and more seaside character than 79% of Florida towns.

    13,323 people · Manatee County · median home $313,400 · income $62,621 · Jan low 52°F · 0 in snow

    Full Palmetto, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 34Lockhart, Florida

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Lockhart is a community of 14,058 people in Orange County, Florida. It also ranks better transit than 86% of Florida towns and more walkable than 73% of Florida towns.

    14,058 people · Orange County · median home $264,800 · income $69,602 · Jan low 52°F · 0 in snow

    Full Lockhart, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 33Port Royal, South Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Port Royal is a town of 14,220 people in Beaufort County, South Carolina. It also ranks better for young professionals than 97% of South Carolina towns and more seaside character than 94% of South Carolina towns.

    14,220 people · Beaufort County · median home $347,200 · income $74,870 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

    Full Port Royal, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 32Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace, Florida

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace is a community of 14,482 people in Clay County, Florida. It also ranks more vibrant than 93% of Florida towns and better for young professionals than 84% of Florida towns.

    14,482 people · Clay County · median home $224,900 · income $59,388 · Jan low 47°F · 0 in snow

    Full Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 31Monroe, Georgia

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Monroe is a city of 14,928 people in Walton County, Georgia. The median home is worth $259,300 (typical Georgia town: $202,650).

    14,928 people · Walton County · median home $259,300 · income $44,656 · Jan low 32°F · 1 in snow

    Full Monroe, Georgia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 30Hendersonville, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Hendersonville is a city of 15,137 people in Henderson County, North Carolina. It also ranks more walkable than 98% of North Carolina towns and hipper than 98% of North Carolina towns.

    15,137 people · Henderson County · median home $317,000 · income $53,449 · Jan low 27°F · 7 in snow

    Full Hendersonville, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 29Durham, New Hampshire

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Durham is a town of 15,490 people in Strafford County, New Hampshire. It also ranks hipper than 98% of New Hampshire towns and more walkable than 97% of New Hampshire towns.

    15,490 people · Strafford County · median home $504,300 · income $124,056 · Jan low 14°F · 39 in snow

    Full Durham, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 28Ladson, South Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Ladson is a community of 15,550 people in Berkeley County, South Carolina. It also ranks more walkable than 90% of South Carolina towns and better for cycling than 75% of South Carolina towns.

    15,550 people · Berkeley County · median home $234,900 · income $78,760 · Jan low 35°F · 0 in snow

    Full Ladson, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 27South Venice, Florida

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    South Venice is a community of 15,619 people in Sarasota County, Florida. It also ranks better for families than 95% of Florida towns and better for a vacation home than 76% of Florida towns.

    15,619 people · Sarasota County · median home $337,300 · income $77,097 · Jan low 52°F · 0 in snow

    Full South Venice, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 26Lithia Springs, Georgia

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Lithia Springs is a community of 16,644 people in Douglas County, Georgia. It also ranks more vibrant than 89% of Georgia towns and hipper than 88% of Georgia towns.

    16,644 people · Douglas County · median home $220,000 · income $62,417 · Jan low 32°F · 1 in snow

    Full Lithia Springs, Georgia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

26. 25Ocean Acres, New Jersey

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Ocean Acres is a community of 18,185 people in Ocean County, New Jersey. It also ranks easier by car than 78% of New Jersey towns.

    18,185 people · Ocean County · median home $402,500 · income $121,924 · Jan low 27°F · 10 in snow

    Full Ocean Acres, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

27. 24Augusta, Maine

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Augusta is a city of 18,899 people in Kennebec County, Maine. It also ranks more vibrant than 96% of Maine towns and more walkable than 92% of Maine towns.

    18,899 people · Kennebec County · median home $201,000 · income $47,979 · Jan low 12°F · 69 in snow

    Full Augusta, Maine profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

28. 23Bethel, Connecticut

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Bethel is a town of 20,358 people, Connecticut. It also ranks more of a college town than 86% of Connecticut towns and better transit than 82% of Connecticut towns.

    20,358 people · median home $434,600 · income $116,541 · Jan low 21°F · 49 in snow

    Full Bethel, Connecticut profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

29. 22Lealman, Florida

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Lealman is a community of 21,189 people in Pinellas County, Florida. It also ranks more walkable than 94% of Florida towns and hipper than 93% of Florida towns.

    21,189 people · Pinellas County · median home $196,400 · income $45,308 · Jan low 54°F · 0 in snow

    Full Lealman, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

30. 21Park Forest, Illinois

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Park Forest is a village of 21,687 people in Cook County, Illinois. It also ranks better transit than 90% of Illinois towns and more walkable than 80% of Illinois towns.

    21,687 people · Cook County · median home $115,300 · income $61,072 · Jan low 15°F · 28 in snow

    Full Park Forest, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

31. 20Clayton, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Clayton is a town of 26,307 people in Johnston County, North Carolina. It also ranks better for young professionals than 88% of North Carolina towns and more of a college town than 88% of North Carolina towns.

    26,307 people · Johnston County · median home $329,600 · income $78,822 · Jan low 30°F · 3 in snow

    Full Clayton, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

32. 19East Lake-Orient Park, Florida

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    East Lake-Orient Park is a community of 28,050 people in Hillsborough County, Florida. It also ranks better for young professionals than 90% of Florida towns and better for cycling than 85% of Florida towns.

    28,050 people · Hillsborough County · median home $233,200 · income $56,573 · Jan low 53°F · 0 in snow

    Full East Lake-Orient Park, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

33. 18Redan, Georgia

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Redan is a community of 31,749 people in DeKalb County, Georgia. It also ranks better transit than 95% of Georgia towns and more walkable than 92% of Georgia towns.

    31,749 people · DeKalb County · median home $233,900 · income $65,227 · Jan low 33°F · 1 in snow

    Full Redan, Georgia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

34. 17Dover, New Hampshire

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of U.S. towns

    Dover is a city of 32,741 people in Strafford County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more walkable than 95% of New Hampshire towns and better for young professionals than 95% of New Hampshire towns.

    32,741 people · Strafford County · median home $436,700 · income $94,829 · Jan low 15°F · 39 in snow

    Full Dover, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

35. 16Darby, Pennsylvania

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    

    Darby is a borough of 10,715 people in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better transit than 100% of Pennsylvania towns and more walkable than 99% of Pennsylvania towns.

    10,715 people · Delaware County · median home $117,900 · income $39,863 · Jan low 26°F · 23 in snow

    Full Darby, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

36. 15Port Wentworth, Georgia

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    Port Wentworth is a city of 10,878 people in Chatham County, Georgia. It also ranks easier by car than 75% of Georgia towns and better for young professionals than 73% of Georgia towns.

    10,878 people · Chatham County · median home $228,100 · income $79,731 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

    Full Port Wentworth, Georgia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

37. 14Lansdowne, Pennsylvania

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    Lansdowne is a borough of 11,107 people in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks more walkable than 100% of Pennsylvania towns and better transit than 100% of Pennsylvania towns.

    11,107 people · Delaware County · median home $210,500 · income $73,232 · Jan low 26°F · 23 in snow

    Full Lansdowne, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

38. 13Tucson Estates, Arizona

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    Tucson Estates is a community of 12,069 people in Pima County, Arizona. It also ranks better for cycling than 81% of Arizona towns and more vibrant than 71% of Arizona towns.

    12,069 people · Pima County · median home $205,400 · income $66,582 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

    Full Tucson Estates, Arizona profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

39. 12Finneytown, Ohio

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    Finneytown is a community of 12,399 people in Hamilton County, Ohio. It also ranks more vibrant than 88% of Ohio towns and hipper than 86% of Ohio towns.

    12,399 people · Hamilton County · median home $207,100 · income $83,424 · Jan low 22°F · 16 in snow

    Full Finneytown, Ohio profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

40. 11Oak Grove, South Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    Oak Grove is a community of 12,899 people in Lexington County, South Carolina. It also ranks more upscale than 83% of South Carolina towns and more vibrant than 80% of South Carolina towns.

    12,899 people · Lexington County · median home $210,300 · income $74,554 · Jan low 35°F · 1 in snow

    Full Oak Grove, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

41. 10Manor, Texas

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    Manor is a city of 13,652 people in Travis County, Texas. It also ranks more upscale than 78% of Texas towns and better for families than 70% of Texas towns.

    13,652 people · Travis County · median home $347,900 · income $84,529 · Jan low 39°F · 0 in snow

    Full Manor, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

42. 9Cypress Lake, Florida

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    Cypress Lake is a community of 13,727 people in Lee County, Florida. It also ranks hipper than 93% of Florida towns and better for a vacation home than 88% of Florida towns.

    13,727 people · Lee County · median home $258,900 · income $62,590 · Jan low 54°F

    Full Cypress Lake, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

43. 8Fairburn, Georgia

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    Fairburn is a city of 16,483 people in Fulton County, Georgia. It also ranks better for young professionals than 91% of Georgia towns and better transit than 86% of Georgia towns.

    16,483 people · Fulton County · median home $271,800 · income $91,897 · Jan low 36°F · 2 in snow

    Full Fairburn, Georgia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

44. 7Villa Rica, Georgia

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    Villa Rica is a city of 16,970 people in Carroll County, Georgia. It also ranks better transit than 81% of Georgia towns and more vibrant than 73% of Georgia towns.

    16,970 people · Carroll County · median home $274,200 · income $87,803 · Jan low 32°F · 2 in snow

    Full Villa Rica, Georgia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

45. 6Forest Park, Ohio

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    Forest Park is a city of 20,189 people in Hamilton County, Ohio. It also ranks more vibrant than 96% of Ohio towns and better for young professionals than 87% of Ohio towns.

    20,189 people · Hamilton County · median home $190,400 · income $75,956 · Jan low 22°F · 14 in snow

    Full Forest Park, Ohio profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

46. 5Coolbaugh, Pennsylvania

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    Coolbaugh is a township of 20,805 people in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 92% of Pennsylvania towns and better transit than 79% of Pennsylvania towns.

    20,805 people · Monroe County · median home $208,400 · income $82,615 · Jan low 15°F · 44 in snow

    Full Coolbaugh, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

47. 4Keene, New Hampshire

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    Keene is a city of 23,047 people in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. It also ranks hipper than 100% of New Hampshire towns and more vibrant than 96% of New Hampshire towns.

    23,047 people · Cheshire County · median home $252,500 · income $78,445 · Jan low 10°F · 60 in snow

    Full Keene, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

48. 3Londonderry, New Hampshire

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of U.S. towns

    Londonderry is a town of 25,826 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more upscale than 89% of New Hampshire towns and better transit than 88% of New Hampshire towns.

    25,826 people · Rockingham County · median home $505,200 · income $132,556 · Jan low 17°F · 67 in snow

    Full Londonderry, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

49. 2Lake Monticello, Virginia

    Better for first-time buyers than 100% of U.S. towns

    Lake Monticello is a community of 10,126 people in Fluvanna County, Virginia. It also ranks better for families than 91% of Virginia towns and more upscale than 73% of Virginia towns.

    10,126 people · Fluvanna County · median home $325,900 · income $106,818 · Jan low 25°F · 12 in snow

    Full Lake Monticello, Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

50. 1Knightdale, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 100% of U.S. towns

    Knightdale is a town of 19,435 people in Wake County, North Carolina. It also ranks better for young professionals than 97% of North Carolina towns and better for cycling than 89% of North Carolina towns.

    19,435 people · Wake County · median home $380,100 · income $103,220 · Jan low 30°F · 3 in snow

    Full Knightdale, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

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