Current price, income and rent context without unsupported year-over-year drops.
The old article claimed exact declines, inventory increases and causes that were not reproducible from Ocity’s static evidence. Those trend claims are removed.
| # | City | COL Index | $50K → Buys |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anchorage, AK | 105 | $94,437 |
| 2 | Jackson, MS | 91 | $42,336 |
| 3 | Peoria, IL | 89 | $52,796 |
| 4 | Gulfport, MS | 89 | $47,564 |
| 5 | Rockford, IL | 90 | $59,451 |
| 6 | Springfield, IL | 91 | $63,849 |
| 7 | Champaign, IL | 91 | $46,232 |
| 8 | Waukegan, IL | 103 | $72,841 |
| 9 | Bloomington, IL | 92 | $77,577 |
| 10 | Cicero, IL | 103 | $74,353 |
Source: C2ER/ACCRA Cost of Living Index, US Census ACS. US Average COL = 100. Higher "Buys" = more purchasing power.
Pop. 286,075
Pop. 143,633
Pop. 113,442
Pop. 72,824
Pop. 146,219
| City | COL | 1BR rent | Income | Home price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 104.5 | $1,107 | $94,437 | $455,500 |
| Jackson, MS | 90.7 | $997 | $42,336 | $160,000 |
| Peoria, IL | 88.6 | $756 | $52,796 | $173,700 |
| Gulfport, MS | 89.3 | $923 | $47,564 | $217,900 |
| Toledo, OH | 90.4 | $753 | $46,302 | $150,000 |
| Austin, TX | 97.6 | $1,650 | $91,501 | $520,000 |
| Boise City, ID | 93.4 | $1,139 | $79,977 | $491,800 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 105.5 | $1,599 | $79,664 | $457,000 |
| Tampa, FL | 109.6 | $1,562 | $72,851 | $462,250 |
| Sacramento, CA | 108.9 | $1,666 | $85,928 | $472,000 |
Pop. 112,327
Pop. 89,191
Pop. 89,097
Pop. 78,591
Pop. 81,006
Obtain at least two comparable observations from the same dated source. Check whether the metric is median sale price, listing price or estimated value and whether seasonality or mix changed. Prefer multiple periods over a single year-over-year comparison.
A current low price can reflect housing type, geography or income; it does not prove a decline. This page owns current context, while the companion owns historical methodology.
For a candidate market, collect recent comparable sales for the same property type and neighborhood, active listings, days on market, price cuts and seller concessions. Check whether the apparent change comes from different homes selling rather than the same homes losing value.
Obtain property-specific taxes, insurance, inspection and repair estimates. A lower price can be offset by financing, condition, HOA or ownership risk. Do not treat a city median as the expected price of a suitable home.
Compare monthly or quarterly observations across more than one period and account for seasonality. Publish the source and retrieval date. If multiple credible series disagree, report the disagreement rather than labeling the city as falling.
This article uses $50K as a benchmark, but your situation is unique. Use our free tools to calculate your exact purchasing power in any of these cities.
Ocity’s article evidence contains a current city snapshot, not a validated 2020-to-current home-price series. Historical change requires the same source, geography, property definition, frequency and adjustment across both dates. Inventory, migration, insurance or industry explanations require separate dated evidence and cannot be inferred from a price difference.
Use current values as a screen, not a trend, comfort or wealth verdict. Verify dated source series and household-specific inputs before deciding.
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