The West is home to a unique and diverse stunning landscape that has it all. From bustling cities to mountains, deserts, beaches, forests and national parks, the West has a natural beauty that’s unrivaled. While the region has a lot to offer, it’s not cheap. Houses in the West are expensive due to high demand and other factors such as building costs, geographical limitations and taxes.
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With that in mind, if you’re dreaming of owning a house out West without the soaring price tag, there are options — if you know where to look. Using data from Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and the U.S. Census Bureau regarding population, GOBankingRates has compiled a list of the cheapest place to purchase a home in every Western state.
Alaska
Cheapest place: Ninilchik
2025 ZHVI: $192,689
Total population: 1,009
Known for its clamming, salmon runs and striking views, Ninilchik is the cheapest place to buy a home in Alaska, but it’s still pricey. According to BestPlaces, it’s 1.6% higher than the national average to live, but 12.8% lower than the state average.
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Arizona
Cheapest place: Bowie
2025 ZHVI: $77,867
Total population: 399
As the gateway to the Fort Bowie National Historic Site — an area where the Chiricahua Apache once fought to protect their land — Bowie is a nature lover’s dream. The cost of living is 15.2% lower than the national average, per BestPlaces.
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California
Cheapest place: Johannesburg
2025 ZHVI: $88,217
Total population: 77
Located in Kern County, Johannesburg is only 0.2% cheaper than the national average to live, but is 33.4% less than the state average, according to BestPlaces. The real savings comes from housing. Purchasing a home is about 74% less than the national average.
Colorado
Cheapest place: Las Animas
2025 ZHVI: $119,513
Total population: 2,480
Las Animas was once an important trading and trapping center and plays a significant historical role in U.S. history. It is affordable for the West — 30.4% lower than the national average.
Hawaii
Cheapest place: Ocean View
2025 ZHVI: $276,162
Total population: 3,809
Living in paradise is the big dream for many, but Hawaii is known for its high prices. The cheapest place to live in the state is Ocean View, where the cost of living is 31.9% more than the national average but 20.4% less than Hawaii’s average, per BestPlaces.
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Idaho
Cheapest place: Pierce
2025 ZHVI: $174,829
Total population: 465
Primarily known for the first site gold was discovered in Idaho back in 1860, Pierce is 14.4% cheaper to live than the national average.
Montana
Cheapest place: Medicine Lake
2025 ZHVI: $110,272
Total population: 190
Medicine Lake boasts beautiful views and is home to the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge. It’s also the cheapest place to score an inexpensive home in Montana. The cost of living is 20.8% less than the national average, per BestPlaces.
Nevada
Cheapest place: Austin
2025 ZHVI: $94,831
Total population: 47
Austin is a well-preserved old mining town and has a unique history with a cheap cost of living. It’s 8.7% lower than the national average to live.
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New Mexico
Cheapest place: Tucumcari
2025 ZHVI: $87,563
Total population: 5,197
With its Route 66 attractions, outdoor adventures, remarkable landscapes and famous dinosaur museum, Tucumcari is a one-of-a-kind town and affordable. According to BestPlaces, the cost of living is 33.4% lower than the national average.
Oregon
Cheapest place: Bly
2025 ZHVI: $177,354
Total population: 123
Bly is a magical dark sky community that’s ideal for stargazing — and it’s also surrounded by the Fremont National Forest, where you can hike, bike, camp and enjoy the rugged natural beauty. The cost of living is 13.8% lower than the national average and 24.6% cheaper than Oregon’s average.
Utah
Cheapest place: Brian Head
2025 ZHVI: $207,883
Total population: 49
Brain Head offers year-round outdoor activities and is the place to go for skiing. It’s also reasonably priced compared to other Western cities. The cost of living is 8.6% lower than the national average.
Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed.
Methodology: To find the cheapest place to buy a home in every state, GOBankingRates analyzed every state to find the cities with the cheapest median home values, as sourced from Zillow Home Value Index. For each city, the total population was sourced from the U.S. Census American Consumer Survey as supplemental data. All data was collected and is up to date as of May 27, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Cheapest Place To Buy a Home in Every Western State
