50 Cheapest ZIP Codes To Buy a 3-Bedroom Home
The popularity of the 3-bedroom home means buying one won't be cheap or without competition. But chances of a great deal still exist in these 50 ZIP codes.
Takeaways
The cheapest ZIP code in the U.S. comes with an estimated full house payment under $500 per month
Every ZIP code on the list offers a house payment under $1,400 including principal, interest, PMI, taxes, and insurance.
Nationwide, the average three-bedroom home price has risen 57% since 2019
It’s not just traditional families seeking three-bedroom homes. Singles and empty-nesters are big buyers for their own reasons.
The three-bedroom home is a fan favorite of the American homebuyer.
With the perfect balance of space and affordability, everyone from growing families to work-from-home couples to man-cave-dwelling bachelors can find something to love about the classic three-bed.
But these homes won’t come cheap. The average three-bedroom home price in the U.S. is now $334,842, up 57% since 2019 according to Zillow data. Despite this price tag, it’s still cheaper than the average four-bed, now costing over $494,000, requiring a payment of about $1,000 more per month.
Rising unaffordability prompted MortgageResearch.com to analyze over 20,000 ZIP codes to find where a homebuyer could own this American classic on the cheap. We discovered 50 ZIP codes where a three-bed might cost less than $1,400 per month, including principal, interest, PMI, property taxes, and homeowners insurance, according to our methodology found at the end of the article.
This list could be a big relief to prospective homeowners who think they’ll never own an adequate home for their current or future needs.
Apparently, Everyone Wants a 3-Bedroom House
Americans can’t seem to get enough of the three-bedroom home.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers says the typical home purchased last year had 1900 square feet, three bedrooms and two-bathrooms.
The size seems ideal for a large swath of the population.
The typical American family has 1.94 children, says the Census Bureau, making a two-bedroom to feel cramped but a four-bedroom excessive in cost and upkeep.
“Three bedroom/two bathroom homes are by far the most popular since they can accommodate the most common nuclear family,” says Robert Washington, a real estate broker at Savvy Buyers Realty in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Families with children aren't the only group hot after this type of home. The NAR report found that 17% of buyers purchased a home for multi-generational living, including providing housing for:
Aging parents
Children over the age of 18 moving back home
Children over the age of 18 who never left home
Turns out that a three-bedroom house could be the ideal size for empty-nesters whose nest never emptied or will refill in coming years.
Three bedrooms may also be ideal for DINKs (double-income, no kids) who work from home and need an office (or two), or simply want extra space for hobbies.
“We even have some clients that don’t have a need for a home that size elect to purchase a 3/2,” says Washington. “They believe the home will be easier to sell or rent in the future since it is the most desired home size.”
Perhaps most surprising fact is that singles are also attracted to these homes. Logan Compton, a marketing professional in the Kansas City area, bought a new construction three-bedroom, two-bath single-family home in the summer of 2024.
“I'm in a serious relationship,” says Compton, “And, even though we're not quite ready to move in together, I wanted to get a place that could accommodate that when the time comes (and she has 2 dogs).”
But even if he weren’t in a relationship, Compton would still opt for this home. “I wanted a three-bedroom because of the versatility it gives me. It's important that one of my rooms is a dedicated guest bedroom for friends and family that visit from out of town,” he says. “The third bedroom is currently my workout room/office space for when I need to work from home. Someday, it might become a kid's bedroom, though.”
Even if American demographics change considerably, it’s a fair bet that three bedrooms will be the preferred count for a long, long time.
Table: 50 Cheapest ZIP Codes for 3 Bedrooms
| Rank | ZIP | Payment* | City | State | 3-Bed Home Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48234 | $496 | Detroit | MI | $58,099 |
| 2 | 44105 | $551 | Cleveland | OH | $65,900 |
| 3 | 48601 | $555 | Saginaw | MI | $65,029 |
| 4 | 19132 | $567 | Philadelphia | PA | $68,221 |
| 5 | 38127 | $713 | Memphis | TN | $89,066 |
| 6 | 63136 | $806 | St. Louis | MO | $97,671 |
| 7 | 32209 | $958 | Jacksonville | FL | $106,608 |
| 8 | 14701 | $975 | Jamestown | NY | $112,212 |
| 9 | 61401 | $979 | Galesburg | IL | $107,185 |
| 10 | 36116 | $1,013 | Montgomery | AL | $125,915 |
| 11 | 70601 | $1,041 | Lake Charles | LA | $122,646 |
| 12 | 29203 | $1,047 | Columbia | SC | $131,596 |
| 13 | 62526 | $1,053 | Decatur | IL | $115,350 |
| 14 | 79107 | $1,062 | Amarillo | TX | $114,773 |
| 15 | 53204 | $1,071 | Milwaukee | WI | $127,353 |
| 16 | 31907 | $1,084 | Columbus | GA | $134,349 |
| 17 | 71107 | $1,085 | Shreveport | LA | $127,733 |
| 18 | 46222 | $1,085 | Indianapolis | IN | $135,891 |
| 19 | 25801 | $1,102 | Beckley | WV | $143,882 |
| 20 | 30906 | $1,106 | Augusta | GA | $137,084 |
| 21 | 16601 | $1,112 | Altoona | PA | $133,670 |
| 22 | 78207 | $1,123 | San Antonio | TX | $121,442 |
| 23 | 47714 | $1,130 | Evansville | IN | $141,543 |
| 24 | 35215 | $1,132 | Center Point | AL | $140,659 |
| 25 | 14215 | $1,134 | Buffalo | NY | $130,448 |
| 26 | 28358 | $1,142 | Lumberton | NC | $142,519 |
| 27 | 26003 | $1,157 | Wheeling | WV | $151,060 |
| 28 | 61554 | $1,179 | Pekin | IL | $129,106 |
| 29 | 73505 | $1,181 | Lawton | OK | $133,586 |
| 30 | 47374 | $1,211 | Richmond | IN | $151,684 |
| 31 | 21502 | $1,215 | Cumberland | MD | $148,613 |
| 32 | 70560 | $1,223 | New Iberia | LA | $144,040 |
| 33 | 46901 | $1,231 | Kokomo | IN | $154,276 |
| 34 | 48910 | $1,256 | Lansing | MI | $147,175 |
| 35 | 19601 | $1,269 | Reading | PA | $152,617 |
| 36 | 29150 | $1,276 | Sumter | SC | $160,420 |
| 37 | 18702 | $1,280 | Wilkes-Barre | PA | $153,970 |
| 38 | 43302 | $1,287 | Marion | OH | $153,977 |
| 39 | 61201 | $1,294 | Rock Island | IL | $141,700 |
| 40 | 39401 | $1,310 | Hattiesburg | MS | $155,520 |
| 41 | 44601 | $1,310 | Alliance | OH | $156,787 |
| 42 | 15235 | $1,312 | Pittsburgh | PA | $157,829 |
| 43 | 21215 | $1,317 | Baltimore | MD | $161,166 |
| 44 | 77642 | $1,356 | Port Arthur | TX | $146,609 |
| 45 | 60628 | $1,357 | Chicago | IL | $148,649 |
| 46 | 70094 | $1,362 | Westwego | LA | $160,414 |
| 47 | 72076 | $1,366 | Jacksonville | AR | $165,984 |
| 48 | 43615 | $1,376 | Toledo | OH | $164,600 |
| 49 | 27105 | $1,382 | Winston-Salem | NC | $172,454 |
| 50 | 36301 | $1,385 | Dothan | AL | $172,029 |
*Estimate includes principal, interest, PMI, property taxes and insurance and is for example purposes only. See methodology for details.
More About the Top 10 Destinations for 3-Bedroom Home Buyers
What can someone expect if they take the plunge and move to one of these ZIP codes in the name of owning a perfectly sized home? According to our research, they may enjoy the area as much as the home itself.
1. ZIP: 48234. Detroit, Mich.
Estimated payment: $496
3-Bed Home Price: $58,099
At an estimated full housing payment of under $500, residents will be surprised that an art museum containing Van Gogh, Degas, Rembrandt, and Renoir are just 15 minutes away. The Detroit Institute of Arts also offers concerts, workshops, special exhibits and a movie theater, says VisitDetroit.com, a non-profit organization that promotes local business and leisure opportunities.
2. ZIP: 44105. Cleveland, Ohio
Estimated payment: $551
3-Bed Home Price: $65,900
Home shoppers may not expect that a medical center employing nearly 57,000 people, Cleveland Clinic, is less than five miles away from the 44105 ZIP code. Medical professionals of all stripes could likely afford a home here, with average salaries according to Indeed ranging from $36,369 per year for Behavioral Therapist to $286,678 per year for Staff Associate.
3. ZIP: 48601. Saginaw, Mich.
- Estimated payment: $555
- 3-Bed Home Price: $65,029
Lovers of the outdoors will enjoy the 48601 area of Saginaw, Michigan. Just 20 minutes away is the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, which offers hiking, canoeing, fishing, and a 6.5 mile driving wildlife tour for those who would rather watch wildlife from their heated or air-conditioned car.
4. ZIP: 19132. Philadelphia, Pa.
- Estimated payment: $567
3-Bed Home Price: $68,221
The 19132 ZIP code puts you in the center of America’s sixth largest city and less than three hours away from metros like Washington, DC and New York City. In fact, for $15, Philly residents can get to the Big Apple via Amtrak in less than two hours. Yet, they would be hard-pressed to rent an apartment with multiple roommates in these two cities for what it costs to own a three-bedroom home here.
5. ZIP: 38127. Memphis, Tenn.
Estimated payment: $713
3-Bed Home Price: $89,066
Just 14 miles from Elvis Presley’s Graceland is the 38127 area of Memphis, Tennessee. Music aficionados will be walking 10 feet off of Beale when they discover they can live near the iconic street known as the Home of the Blues for pennies on the dollar compared to most metros.
6. ZIP: 63136. St. Louis, Mo.
- Estimated payment: $806
3-Bed Home Price: $97,671
St. Louis offers an affordable housing market with plenty of opportunities for homebuyers looking for value, especially in its revitalized neighborhoods. The city is a hub for healthcare, manufacturing, and tech jobs, with major employers like BJC HealthCare and Anheuser-Busch. The city also boasts a vibrant cultural scene, including the famous Gateway Arch, the free St. Louis Zoo, and a thriving music and food scene. And with average three-bedroom home prices under $100,000, it could be the perfect destination for prospective homebuyers.
7. ZIP: 32209. Jacksonville, Fla.
- Estimated payment: $958
3-Bed Home Price: $106,608
Jacksonville is one of Florida’s most affordable cities. But affordable doesn’t mean low quality. With a strong job market in logistics, healthcare, and financial services, residents enjoy career opportunities without the high cost of living seen in other Florida metros. The city’s vast park system, beaches, and riverfront provide endless outdoor activities, while its growing entertainment scene includes museums, theaters, and professional sports teams like the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. The real estate market is favorable for buyers, making it an attractive option for those seeking affordability with a high quality of life.
8. ZIP: 14701. Jamestown, N.Y.
- Estimated payment: $975
3-Bed Home Price: $112,212
In western New York, Jamestown is known as the birthplace of Lucille Ball of “I Love Lucy” fame. This reputation for arts and entertainment lives on today in places like the National Comedy Center and the historic Reg Lenna Center for the Arts. Manufacturing and healthcare provide steady employment, and its proximity to Chautauqua Lake offers year-round outdoor recreation. The cost of living is significantly lower than in major cities, making it an appealing choice for families and retirees looking for a mix of quiet and lively.
9. ZIP: 61401. Galesburg, Ill.
Estimated payment: $979
3-Bed Home Price: $107,185
This historic Midwestern town provides an affordable real estate market along with a rich cultural heritage. Home to Knox College, Galesburg has a strong educational presence. Employment opportunities include jobs in manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Residents enjoy local attractions like the Orpheum Theatre and Lake Storey for outdoor recreation. With a cost of living well below the national average and a welcoming atmosphere, Galesburg is an ideal place for those seeking affordability without sacrificing amenities.
10. ZIP: 36116. Montgomery, Ala.
Estimated payment: $1,013
3-Bed Home Price: $125,915
Alabama’s capital city, Montgomery, blends history with modern growth while maintaining an affordable housing market. The city is a government and military employment hub, with additional job opportunities in education and manufacturing. Rich in cultural attractions, Montgomery is home to the Rosa Parks Museum, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and a thriving downtown riverfront district.
5 Most Expensive ZIP Codes for 3-Bedroom Homes
Looking at the other extreme of affordability, here are the five most expensive ZIP codes to buy a three-bedroom home according to the same methodology.
| ZIP | Payment | City | State | 3-Bed Home Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95023 | $5,626 | Hollister | CA | $713,761 |
| 93446 | $5,642 | Paso Robles | CA | $715,743 |
| 95076 | $6,596 | Watsonville | CA | $836,775 |
| 94558 | $6,697 | Napa | CA | $849,583 |
| 96793 | $7,238 | Wailuku | HI | $968,463 |
Methodology:
To arrive at the 50 most affordable ZIP codes for 3-bedroom homes, we started with the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) 3-Bedroom Time Series by ZIP code for January 2025. We then calculated the full estimated payment using the following assumptions.
5% down
6.965% 30-year fixed rate mortgage from Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Index, most recent 30-day average
700 FICO
Private mortgage insurance of 0.78% per year from MGIC
Property tax by state from TaxFoundation.org
Homeowner’s insurance rates by state from Bankrate
While over 20,000 ZIP codes were analyzed, the top 3,000 ZIP codes by population were considered for the final list. If more than one ZIP code in the same metro area appeared, only the most affordable one was included.
