My analysis shows these are the 25 towns in the USA with the lowest home prices as of November 30, 2024, according to Zillow’s data. I found America’s lowest-valued cities reveal stark patterns of economic distress, concentrated in historic mining regions and the Rust Belt. From Bishop, Virginia at $31,903 to Frederick, Oklahoma at $54,477, Pennsylvania dominates with seven former coal mining towns, followed by Illinois with four cities near East St. Louis.
I noticed dramatic price appreciation in former mining towns like Shenandoah, PA (167.4% since 2015) and Braddock, PA (135.9%), though these started from extremely low bases. Concerning to me is the Mississippi Delta region, where Clarksdale, MS and Helena-West Helena, AR actually lost value over nine years.
Almost every city in my bottom 25 has a mining, railroad, or manufacturing past, highlighting deindustrialization’s impact. I identified three main clusters: Appalachian coal region, Mississippi Delta, and metro St. Louis’s Illinois side, with outliers being small agricultural communities in Oklahoma and Kansas.
Here’s the list.
1. Frederick, Oklahoma
Situated in Tillman County near the Texas border, Frederick serves as a regional agricultural hub for southwest Oklahoma. Property values have climbed steadily from $31,980 in 2015 to $34,340 in 2020, reaching $54,477 in 2024 – marking a 70.3% increase over nine years, with particularly strong 58.6% growth since 2020, reflecting the area’s stable agricultural economy despite rural challenges.
2. Earle, Arkansas
Located in Crittenden County along the Arkansas Delta, about 30 miles west of Memphis, Earle emerged as a railroad town serving the region’s agricultural interests. Values have shown volatility, starting at $43,253 in 2015, peaking at $56,984 in 2020, before declining to $53,825 in 2024 – representing a modest 24.4% total gain but a concerning 5.5% drop since 2020.
3. Braddock, Pennsylvania
Sitting along the Monongahela River just east of Pittsburgh, Braddock was once home to Andrew Carnegie’s first steel mill and represents the challenges of post-industrial America. Values have risen dramatically from a low of $22,189 in 2015 to $35,562 in 2020, reaching $52,352 in 2024 – showing a remarkable 135.9% total increase despite continued economic struggles.
4. Cuthbert, Georgia
The county seat of Randolph County in southwest Georgia, Cuthbert is home to Andrew College and maintains its historic courthouse square. Property values have risen significantly from $28,370 in 2015 to $40,106 in 2020, reaching $52,024 in 2024 – representing an 83.4% total increase despite rural market challenges.
5. Republic, Pennsylvania
A former coal mining town in Fayette County, Republic sits along the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh. Values have increased steadily from $30,217 in 2015 to $33,199 in 2020, reaching $51,592 in 2024 – showing a 70.7% total gain as the community transitions from its industrial past.
6. Prichard, Alabama
A suburb north of Mobile struggling with post-industrial decline, Prichard was once a thriving industrial center. Values have risen modestly from $42,983 in 2015 to $47,292 in 2020, reaching $51,435 in 2024 – marking a relatively small 19.7% total increase that reflects ongoing economic challenges.
7. Donora, Pennsylvania
Located in Washington County’s Monongahela Valley, Donora gained historical notoriety from its deadly 1948 smog incident and exemplifies the rust belt’s industrial heritage. Values have increased from $32,758 in 2015 to $39,194 in 2020, reaching $50,412 in 2024 – showing a 53.9% total gain despite ongoing economic transition.
8. Cumberland, Kentucky
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Harlan County, Cumberland emerged as a coal mining town in the early 1900s. Values have shown significant growth from $26,782 in 2015 to $29,145 in 2020, reaching $50,374 in 2024 – representing an 88.1% total increase despite the region’s mining industry decline.
9. Shenandoah, Pennsylvania
Located in Schuylkill County’s anthracite coal region, Shenandoah was once a booming mining community with a population four times its current size. Values have surged from $18,775 in 2015 to $22,688 in 2020, reaching $50,202 in 2024 – marking an impressive 167.4% increase from extremely low base values.
10. Weldon, North Carolina
Situated in Halifax County along the Roanoke River, Weldon was once known as the “Rockfish Capital of the World.” Values have risen steadily from $29,326 in 2015 to $33,270 in 2020, reaching $50,141 in 2024 – showing a 71% total gain despite rural market challenges.
11. Temple, Oklahoma
A small agricultural community in Cotton County, Temple sits in southwestern Oklahoma near the Red River. Property values have more than doubled from $24,115 in 2015 to $42,919 in 2020, reaching $49,669 in 2024 – marking a 106% total increase despite rural population decline.
12. Madison, Illinois
Located across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Madison struggles with typical rust belt challenges of deindustrialization. Values have risen substantially from $23,881 in 2015 to $30,812 in 2020, reaching $49,227 in 2024 – showing a 106.1% increase as the community seeks new economic directions.
13. Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania
A historic mining town in Northumberland County’s anthracite region, Mount Carmel exemplifies the challenges faced by former coal communities. Values have increased from $32,032 in 2015 to $37,344 in 2020, reaching $48,312 in 2024 – representing a 50.8% total gain despite continued population loss.
14. Appalachia, Virginia
Located in Wise County in Virginia’s coal country, Appalachia developed as a mining town in the early 1900s. Property values have shown mixed trends, rising from $34,272 in 2015 to $32,426 in 2020, before reaching $47,367 in 2024 – marking a 38.2% total increase amid economic transition.
15. Zeigler, Illinois
A former coal mining town in Franklin County, Zeigler sits in southern Illinois’ coal belt. Values have declined from $48,585 in 2015 to $54,727 in 2020, dropping to $46,771 in 2024 – showing a 3.7% loss over nine years as the community struggles with economic challenges.
16. Turon, Kansas
Situated in Reno County in south-central Kansas, Turon serves a primarily agricultural area. Values have increased from $26,658 in 2015 to $32,794 in 2020, reaching $46,519 in 2024 – representing a 74.5% total gain despite rural population challenges.
17. Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania
Located in Schuylkill County’s anthracite coal region, Mahanoy City reflects the broader challenges of Pennsylvania’s former mining communities. Values have surged from $17,592 in 2015 to $19,650 in 2020, reaching $46,085 in 2024 – showing a dramatic 162% increase from historically low levels.
18. Newton Falls, New York
A small community in St. Lawrence County near the Adirondacks, Newton Falls has struggled since its paper mill closed. Values have risen substantially from $21,568 in 2015 to $32,405 in 2020, reaching $44,767 in 2024 – marking a 107.6% increase despite industrial decline.
19. Grandfield, Oklahoma
Located in Tillman County near the Texas border, Grandfield emerged as a railroad town serving agricultural interests. Values have increased from $31,129 in 2015 to $35,444 in 2020, reaching $43,863 in 2024 – showing a 40.9% total gain amid rural economic challenges.
20. Helena-West Helena, Arkansas
Situated on the Mississippi River in Phillips County, this merged city epitomizes Delta region challenges. Values have declined slightly from $39,843 in 2015 to $44,673 in 2020, dropping to $39,404 in 2024 – showing a 1.1% loss over nine years despite revitalization efforts.
21. Beecher, Michigan
A community north of Flint in Genesee County, Beecher faces many of the same challenges as its larger neighbor. Values have risen dramatically from $17,448 in 2015 to $20,190 in 2020, reaching $39,120 in 2024 – marking a 124.2% increase from very low base values.
22. Girardville, Pennsylvania
Another community in Schuylkill County’s anthracite region, Girardville reflects the economic struggles of Pennsylvania’s coal country. Values have increased significantly from $17,200 in 2015 to $20,453 in 2020, reaching $38,814 in 2024 – showing a 125.7% gain from historic lows.
23. East Saint Louis, Illinois
Located across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, East St. Louis has faced decades of economic decline and population loss. Values have risen modestly from $32,416 in 2015 to $36,444 in 2020, reaching $36,761 in 2024 – showing just a 13.4% increase over nine years.
24. Clarksdale, Mississippi
Situated in the Mississippi Delta, Clarksdale is famous for its blues heritage but struggles with economic challenges. Values have declined from $35,972 in 2015 to $40,908 in 2020, dropping to $34,884 in 2024 – showing a 3% loss over nine years despite cultural tourism.
25. Bishop, Virginia
Located in Tazewell County in southwestern Virginia’s coal country, Bishop exemplifies the challenges faced by mining communities. Values have increased from $21,464 in 2015 to $25,785 in 2020, reaching $31,903 in 2024 – representing a 48.6% gain despite ongoing economic transition.
