The Midwest boasts numerous locales with high livability scores and relatively low living costs compared to many other parts of the U.S. The value of single-family homes varies widely across the region, however.
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To provide a feel for how much income is needed for homeownership in the Midwest’s most livable spots, GOBankingRates has analyzed data from AreaVibes, the U.S. Census, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Zillow and the Federal Reserve. The good news for Midwesterners — and potential Midwesterners — is that each location in our top 10 has a median household income that far exceeds its average annual cost of living.
Here’s the full list of the most livable cities and the salary needed for homeownership, along with median household income and some additional information about each location.
10. Farmington, Michigan
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Livability score: 91
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Salary needed (annual cost of living): $47,500
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Median household income: $94,115
About 30 minutes northwest of Detroit by car, Farmington has about 12,000 residents. The median value of a single-family home in Farmington is $322,000, and the average mortgage is $1,900 a month.
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9. Rochester, Minnesota
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Livability score: 92
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Salary needed (annual cost of living): $46,013
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Median household income: $87,767
Rochester is located in southeast Minnesota, about 90 miles southeast of Minneapolis. Home to the famous Mayo Clinic, Rochester has a population of about 122,000. The average monthly mortgage here comes in just shy of $2,000, and the median value of single-family homes is $331,000.
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8. Bexley, Ohio
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Livability score: 92
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Salary needed (annual cost of living): $61,980
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Median household income: $152,526
Bexley is one of several suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, to make this list. The median value of a single-family home in Bexley is $546,000. Around 13,500 people reside here.
7. Ankeny, Iowa
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Livability score: 92
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Salary needed (annual cost of living): $47,905
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Median household income: $106,603
You’ll find Ankeny 12 miles north of Des Moines. With about 70,000 residents, Ankeny is one of Iowa’s fastest-growing cities. The median value of a single-family home in Ankeny is $346,000.
6. Clawson, Michigan
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Livability score: 92
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Salary needed (annual cost of living): $43,814
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Median household income: $86,630
Clawson is a Detroit suburb. The median value of single-family homes in Clawson is $280,000, relatively low compared to many other parts of the U.S. The average monthly mortgage is $1,650.
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5. Shorewood, Wisconsin
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Livability score: 92
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Salary needed (annual cost of living): $60,373
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Median household income: $89,135
A suburb of Milwaukee, the village of Shorewood is located alongside Lake Michigan. The average value of a home in Shorewood comes in just over $500,000. The average monthly mortgage is $2,981.
4. University Heights, Ohio
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Livability score: 93
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Salary needed (annual cost of living): $40,625
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Median household income: $98,474
University Heights sits about 10 miles east of Cleveland in northeast Ohio. On top of its strong livability score, University Heights offers relatively affordable housing. The median value of a single-family home is $259,000, and the average cost of a monthly mortgage is in the $1,500 range.
3. Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
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Livability score: 93
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Salary needed (annual cost of living): $66,459
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Median household income: $154,255
Whitefish Bay is located just north of Milwaukee on the shores of Lake Michigan. A village with about 15,000 residents, Whitefish Bay is more expensive than many of the other entries in this list. You can expect to pay $3,520 on average for your mortgage each month, and homes here have a median value around $600,000.
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2. Grandview Heights, Ohio
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Livability score: 94
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Salary needed (annual cost of living): $61,586
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Median household income: $113,862
This Columbus suburb has a population of about 8,500. The median value of single-family homes here is $539,000. The average monthly mortgage will run you around $3,200.
1. Worthington, Ohio
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Livability score: 94
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Salary needed (annual cost of living): $57,750
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Median household income: $124,734
Livable Worthington is located just north of Columbus, the state capital. Worthington is a popular destination for retirees, with about 21% of its 15,000 residents age 65 and up. Worthington’s household median income ($125,000) far exceeds its average annual cost of living ($58,000). The median value of a single-family home here is $480,000.
Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed.
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities across the United States with the highest livability scores, as sourced from AreaVibes. The 30 most livable cities in each state were identified. To qualify for this study, each city had to have all data points available and a total population of at least 5,000. Data was sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, Zillow Home Value Index for March 2025 and Federal Reserve Economic Data. All data was collected on and is up to date as of May 14, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here’s How Much You Must Make To Afford a Home in the Midwest’s Best Cities
