This City Was Named the Best Hidden Gem for Homebuyers in the U.S. for Its Affordable Housing, Livability, and Scenery

"House hunters seeking the perfect combination of affordability and livability should look no further than Lynchburg, Virginia, which was named the best hidden gem housing market in the United States. The ranking, compiled by personal finance site GOBankingRates, was thanks to the city's high livability score of 91 (the highest among any other city on the list) and reasonable average home value of $264,559, compared to the statewide average of more than $417,000."

"The second-best hidden gem housing market was North Tonawanda, New York, which sits just north of Buffalo. The upstate New York city similarly boasted a high livability score of 86 and average home values of just over $275,000, more than $200,000 below the state average. The third place spot went to Wausau, Wisconsin. The central Wisconsin city along the Wisconsin River was lauded for its high livability score of 90 and its low average home value of just $238,916."

"Coming in last on the list at No. 30 was Merced, California. The city, which sits just south of Modesto, was still considered a hidden gem despite its lower livability score of just 75. And while Merced's average home value was high at $400,681, it nonetheless remains much more affordable than the state average of $798,043. Pensacola, Florida, took the No. 29 spot, followed by Glassboro, New Jersey, and Springfield, Massachusetts."

Lynchburg, Virginia ranked as the top hidden gem housing market based on a combination of high livability and lower-than-average home prices. Lynchburg's livability score is 91 and average home value is $264,559, well below the Virginia average; median household income is $59,808. North Tonawanda, New York and Wausau, Wisconsin placed second and third, each demonstrating strong livability scores and substantially lower home values than their respective state averages. Thirty markets were evaluated for affordable home prices relative to state averages, manageable mortgage costs, solid median incomes, and strong livability ratings. Merced, California ranked last on the list at No. 30.

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