America’s Best Places for First-Time Homebuyers

Buying your first house is a major milestone, replete with tough choices, mountains of paperwork and a mortgage that may follow you into retirement. While price and location are important during your home search, there’s much more to consider. That’s why we looked at data in three categories — affordability, livability and price stability — to find the best places for first-time homebuyers nationwide.

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NerdWallet’s analysis

For this report, NerdWallet analyzed the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, online data provider NeighborhoodScout, and Down Payment Resource for the 448 largest places in the U.S. by population. Down Payment Resource’s data allowed us to assess the availability of homeownership assistance programs, which can help cash-short first-time homebuyers. To see our detailed methodology, click here.

If you’re considering buying a home, try NerdWallet’s mortgage calculator to see how much you can afford in specific U.S. locations.

Key takeaways

Suburbs dominate: No large cities made the top 10 list, which is composed of suburbs or small cities within major metroplexes. These areas stand out because they’re close to the amenities and jobs of a big city, often with a more affordable and quieter lifestyle. Household incomes also tend to be much higher than the national median (which was $56,516 as of 2015) in these suburbs.
Size counts: There may be a sweet spot for population when it comes to the top places for first-time buyers. Five of our top 10 cities have populations between 83,000 and 89,000.
Look beyond the coasts. States like Indiana and Texas dominate the list because they have affordable housing, good schools and plenty of jobs. Folks starting out can build a solid financial foundation in these states because they don’t have to devote an outsized portion of their paychecks to housing.

» MORE: Best lenders for First-Time Home Buyers

Top 10 cities for first-time homebuyers

In all 10 cities, schools are ranked in the highest 25% of all cities analyzed, and crime rates are in the lowest 25%, according to NeighborhoodScout data.

1. Carmel, Indiana

Once a quiet suburban city on the north side of Indianapolis, Carmel has nearly doubled in population since 1990, to over 88,000 residents as of 2015. Located along the U.S. Route 31 corridor, Carmel is home to over 40 corporate headquarters, according to the city. With so many jobs in the area, Carmel enjoys the lowest unemployment rate of all 448 cities analyzed, at just 2%. It also has the second least volatile housing market. Plus, Carmel has a great combination of affordability factors: The median home was priced at $318,800 in 2015, and the median income was an impressive $108,660.

2. Fishers, Indiana

Just over seven miles from Carmel, Fishers is another fast-growing Indianapolis suburb, but homes there cost even less. Fishers had the second most affordable homes among the top 10 cities: The 2015 median home price was $233,500, and the median income was slightly above Carmel’s, at $109,397. Of the top cities, residents here on average devoted the least amount of income to housing costs, at 17%. The Geist Reservoir, a large man-made lake, is in Fishers, offering boating and other water sports. Several golf courses also are located nearby.

» MORE: Review our home-buying checklist

3. Johns Creek, Georgia

Johns Creek is an affluent northeastern suburb of Atlanta. Its approximately 83,000 residents had the seventh-highest median household income of all cities analyzed, at $116,210. Meanwhile, the median home price in Johns Creek was $373,700 in 2015, so incomes go a long way here. The town is home to Technology Park Johns Creek, an office and industrial park that houses many technology companies. Businesses there employ over 10,000 people. It’s also a short drive to Lake Lanier, with 692 miles of shoreline and recreational opportunities.

4. Frisco, Texas

Located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Frisco’s nearly 155,000 residents benefit from a strong local economy. Frisco had the lowest percentage of people below the poverty line among all cities examined, at 2.3%. The median household income here was $123,055 in 2015, the fifth-highest among all cities studied. Homebuyers in Frisco have access to up to $39,384 in down payment assistance programs, according to Down Payment Resource, higher than almost all cities analyzed. These typically are government programs that offer financial assistance or tax credits on down payments to certain homebuyers.

5. Newton, Massachusetts

Situated less than 10 miles from downtown Boston, Newton’s homes are pricey; the median home price in 2015 was $809,700. But incomes here are also high. The median household income was $126,649, the second-highest of all 448 cities, making mortgage costs 33% of income; this is around the maximum ratio that most financial experts recommend spending on monthly housing costs. Homebuyers in Newton also have access to $39,384 in down payment assistance programs. Additionally, Newton’s unemployment rate of just 2.2% was the fourth-lowest of all cities analyzed.

6. Allen, Texas

Residents of this northern Dallas suburb have plentiful employment opportunities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex while enjoying a slower pace of life, with nearly 50 miles of hiking and nature trails. Allen had the fifth-lowest poverty level of all the cities we examined, and its homes were the third most affordable among the top 10 cities, with a 2015 median price of $262,900. Homebuyers here have access to over $39,000 of down payment assistance programs, tying for the most among the top 10 with Frisco, Texas, and Newton, Massachusetts.

7. Gilbert, Arizona

Once a small farming community with just 5,717 residents in 1980, Gilbert has grown at a dizzying pace in recent years. It has by far the largest population among the top 10 cities we analyzed, with over 247,000 residents as of 2015. The median home price in 2015 was a reasonable $284,800, and the median household income was $86,045. Gilbert’s sunny weather makes it easy for residents to take advantage of its golf courses, parks, wildlife preserves and 135 miles of biking trails. Gilbert was hit hard by the last recession, losing nearly half of its median home value from 2006 to 2012. While the median here is still below its peak of a decade ago, the market is recovering nicely.

8. Centennial, Colorado

This large Denver suburb was incorporated as a city in 2001, and as of 2015, it had nearly 110,000 residents. Centennial has the sixth-lowest poverty level among all cities analyzed. The median household income was $96,634, and the median home price was $369,800. Lovers of the outdoors fit right in here, where there are plentiful opportunities for hiking, skiing, biking, golf and other recreation activities nearby. Centennial also has many business parks and is located along several key transportation corridors.

9. Olathe, Kansas

Olathe is just 20 miles from downtown Kansas City, but it’s close to nature, including its two public lakes with fishing, boating and sailboarding. The median home price in Olathe was $207,700 in 2015, the lowest among the top 10 cities. It’s also the least volatile housing market among the top 10. Median household income was $80,242. Many corporations, including Garmin International, have large offices here, and developments such as the Kansas Bioscience Park help fuel Olathe’s fast growth.

10. Sugar Land, Texas

Once a sugar plantation in the 1800s, Sugar Land is now a booming suburb 20 miles southwest of Houston, the fourth most populous city in the nation. Sugar Land had the third least volatile housing market among the top 10 cities in 2015, with a healthy median household income of $111,124 and a reasonable median home price of $288,700. Sugar Land’s unemployment rate is low and its business climate is strong, with oil, gas and health care as its main industries. Corporate headquarters located here include Minute Maid and Texas Instruments.

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Best cities for first-time homebuyers by region

Best cities in the Northeast

Newton, Massachusetts Cambridge, Massachusetts Erie, Pennsylvania Somerville, Massachusetts Quincy, Massachusetts

Best cities in the Midwest

Carmel, Indiana Fishers, Indiana Olathe, Kansas Naperville, Illinois Troy, Michigan

Best cities in the South

Johns Creek, Georgia Frisco, Texas Allen, Texas Sugar Land, Texas McKinney, Texas

Best cities in the West

Gilbert, Arizona Centennial, Colorado Folsom, California Kirkland, Washington Chandler, Arizona

Best cities for first-time homebuyers

Scroll down and right through the table below to see the data for all 448 cities.

Rank	City or town	Economics index	Livability index	Stability index	Final score
1	Carmel, Indiana	53.04	95.85	70.07	70.99
2	Fishers, Indiana	73.86	93.86	41.62	70.19
3	Johns Creek, Georgia	56.64	99.14	56.4	69.32
4	Frisco, Texas	54.25	72.86	82.47	68.3
5	Newton, Massachusetts	31.03	92.98	89.74	67.23
6	Allen, Texas	48.85	80.2	78.6	67.18
7	Gilbert, Arizona	52.72	72.37	76.07	65.62
8	Centennial, Colorado	53.16	80.9	63.21	64.5
9	Olathe, Kansas	54.25	69.64	67.28	62.77
10	Sugar Land, Texas	51.24	68.43	68.99	61.72
11	McKinney, Texas	43.92	65.41	79.78	61.12
12	Naperville, Illinois	36.47	87.95	66.01	60.78
13	Troy, Michigan	49.02	73.29	61.51	60.05
14	Folsom, California	42.21	64.6	78.71	59.88
15	League City, Texas	63.63	58.3	55.89	59.71
16	Kirkland, Washington	39.89	60.46	84.95	59.58
17	Overland Park, Kansas	48.77	66.4	67.12	59.56
18	Broken Arrow, Oklahoma	61.71	51.65	64.34	59.48
19	Chandler, Arizona	50.46	54.94	75.44	59.3
20	Pearland, Texas	55.53	56.24	67.23	59.25
21	Cary, North Carolina	52.08	81.77	45.92	59.14
22	Lee's Summit, Missouri	51.62	56.97	68.6	58.32
23	Mount Pleasant, South Carolina	33.12	70.84	78.6	58.08
24	Rochester, Minnesota	52.96	58.4	64.44	58.04
25	Mission Viejo, California	37.7	82.16	60.93	58.01
26	Pleasanton, California	39.87	75.81	63.72	57.81
27	Arvada, Colorado	42.77	55.96	79.38	57.71
28	Round Rock, Texas	48.73	67.2	59.28	57.43
29	Carrollton, Texas	46.92	46.46	81.68	57.21
30	San Ramon, California	29.46	89.79	60.32	56.82
31	Livermore, California	39.83	56.07	79.92	56.73
32	O'Fallon, Missouri	50.54	75.38	45.77	56.56
33	Chino Hills, California	40.6	74.16	59.09	56.22
34	Surprise, Arizona	50.68	46.08	71.95	55.68
35	Lake Forest, California	32.65	82.6	58.05	55.25
36	Livonia, Michigan	53.07	48.98	64.05	55.14
37	Newport Beach, California	22.31	61.72	92.07	55.06
38	Thousand Oaks, California	34.12	75.03	62.03	54.77
39	Richardson, Texas	49.54	53.37	61.6	54.3
40	Roswell, Georgia	43.14	59.87	63.07	54.14
41	Sandy, Utah	48.04	52	63.73	53.93
42	Plano, Texas	42.84	59.39	62.28	53.64
43	Meridian, Idaho	39.32	68.98	57.06	53.54
44	Scottsdale, Arizona	31.7	56.5	79.64	53.52
45	Farmington Hills, Michigan	38.27	66.17	60.09	53.19
46	Billings, Montana	43.2	31.96	85.47	52.51
47	Fremont, California	36.09	65.99	60.87	52.49
48	Temecula, California	35.57	52.73	74.35	52.35
49	Boca Raton, Florida	26.65	54.74	83.73	52.2
50	Hoover, Alabama	43.54	47.12	68.64	52.14
51	West Jordan, Utah	45.09	50.53	62.4	51.91
52	Irvine, California	25.79	81.23	56.35	51.59
53	Goodyear, Arizona	41.67	42.82	73.41	51.54
54	Midland, Texas	51.34	23.73	79.33	51.46
55	Carlsbad, California	27.59	69.82	64.34	51.28
56	Lakewood, Colorado	36.42	42.32	79.73	51.18
57	San Mateo, California	24.55	56.01	79.6	50.5
58	Cambridge, Massachusetts	30.09	51.64	76.49	50.47
59	Santa Clarita, California	32.2	66.29	58.52	50.32
60	Sterling Heights, Michigan	45.8	48.67	58	50.32
61	Parma, Ohio	49.22	61.81	40.06	50.25
62	Port St. Lucie, Florida	40.59	46.35	67.01	50.24
63	Alameda, California	25.62	51.41	81.66	50.17
64	Peoria, Arizona	45.2	50.59	55.91	50.03
65	Simi Valley, California	32.68	62.71	60.48	50.03
66	Boise, Idaho	43.92	53.11	54.99	50
67	Palm Coast, Florida	39.82	56.94	55.29	49.6
68	Springdale, Arkansas	46.36	30.21	71.95	49.19
69	St. George, Utah	40.24	54.21	56.11	49.19
70	Sunnyvale, California	32.24	64.99	55.65	49.09
71	Bloomington, Minnesota	40.34	43.5	66.09	49.01
72	Santa Clara, California	32.83	44.51	75.01	48.99
73	Cape Coral, Florida	34.99	52.85	63.66	48.95
74	Fort Collins, Colorado	35.09	45.29	70.91	48.9
75	Jurupa Valley, California	34.11	55.58	61.42	48.74
76	Norman, Oklahoma	46.92	41.39	56.4	48.1
77	St. Joseph, Missouri	61.72	20.98	56.69	47.99
78	Amarillo, Texas	52.42	28.49	61.31	47.91
79	Sioux Falls, South Dakota	45.24	37.62	61.41	47.8
80	Edmond, Oklahoma	42.88	60.75	40.89	47.65
81	Coral Springs, Florida	26.95	50.4	72.13	47.54
82	Topeka, Kansas	48.25	21.65	72.46	47.53
83	Rio Rancho, New Mexico	52.52	47.38	40.57	47.39
84	Roseville, California	34.75	53.77	56.58	47.01
85	Huntington Beach, California	26.36	60.71	60.27	46.84
86	Virginia Beach, Virginia	40.35	58.36	43.93	46.83
87	Mountain View, California	27.63	61.74	57.36	46.78
88	Elk Grove, California	41.65	49.6	50.79	46.78
89	Omaha, Nebraska	49.2	29.67	59.86	46.54
90	Erie, Pennsylvania	41.8	32.15	66.75	46.39
91	Bellevue, Washington	30.78	50.61	62.57	46.27
92	Hillsboro, Oregon	40.5	45.06	55.16	46.27
93	Clarksville, Tennessee	42.52	40.14	57.23	46.22
94	Somerville, Massachusetts	30.19	55.29	58.12	46.1
95	Quincy, Massachusetts	24.67	61.7	58.96	46.07
96	Westminster, Colorado	43.81	36.53	58.48	46.03
97	Cedar Rapids, Iowa	42.97	33.45	62.57	46
98	Henderson, Nevada	39.39	48.45	52	45.89
99	Arlington, Texas	37.47	25.38	77.27	45.78
100	Orem, Utah	40.74	58.9	38.68	45.57
101	Grand Prairie, Texas	45.43	32.76	58.27	45.48
102	Alexandria, Virginia	30.35	47.18	63.85	45.45
103	Bend, Oregon	27.38	51.22	63.44	45.35
104	Nampa, Idaho	39.55	32.64	64.84	45.06
105	Madison, Wisconsin	33.85	45.88	59.19	45.06
106	Fargo, North Dakota	35.52	42.8	60.04	45.06
107	Chula Vista, California	21.82	49.66	71.06	44.94
108	San Antonio, Texas	39.72	22.73	74	44.91
109	Torrance, California	22.75	58.99	60.02	44.8
110	Palm Bay, Florida	43.47	38.47	52.73	44.75
111	Milpitas, California	30.27	53.24	54.99	44.58
112	Garland, Texas	44.49	30.56	58.55	44.53
113	Wichita Falls, Texas	51.81	23.64	55.1	44.34
114	Raleigh, North Carolina	36.81	40.55	58.05	44.3
115	Austin, Texas	30.13	33.46	73.88	44.26
116	Lexington-Fayette urban county, Kentucky	39.26	36.39	58.67	44.22
117	Pembroke Pines, Florida	30.49	48.7	58	44.21
118	Bloomington, Illinois	42.94	47.98	41.16	43.92
119	Avondale, Arizona	44.42	25.38	61.74	43.9
120	Westland, Michigan	39.79	27.49	65.57	43.84
121	Warwick, Rhode Island	45.86	41.93	42.62	43.71
122	Irving, Texas	44	27.1	59.78	43.66
123	Garden Grove, California	21.73	47.36	68.89	43.57
124	Murrieta, California	28.29	63.66	43.58	43.49
125	Independence, Missouri	52.43	20.29	54.03	43.27
126	Lincoln, Nebraska	46.24	40.69	41.81	43.25
127	Denver, Colorado	32.48	27.05	73.12	43.04
128	Chesapeake, Virginia	37.55	50.15	42.9	42.93
129	San Marcos, California	20.86	62.21	52.86	42.86
130	Aurora, Colorado	40.46	35.02	53.67	42.79
131	Fort Wayne, Indiana	52.59	34.04	38.17	42.7
132	San Diego, California	21.32	43.92	69.92	42.68
133	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	41	38.92	48.51	42.63
134	Clovis, California	31.56	42.9	57.03	42.6
135	Lakewood, California	34.95	34.41	60.24	42.38
136	Downey, California	23.42	34.63	75.3	42.35
137	Santa Fe, New Mexico	33.38	55.58	41.04	42.34
138	Rancho Cucamonga, California	28.29	49.69	53.47	42.26
139	Ann Arbor, Michigan	25.3	57.1	49.85	42.2
140	Colorado Springs, Colorado	36.79	32.6	58.8	42.13
141	San Francisco, California	24.69	33.53	73.7	42.05
142	Longmont, Colorado	37.07	37.75	52.63	41.94
143	Sandy Springs, Georgia	26	38.99	65.81	41.84
144	Davie, Florida	30.18	42.18	56.97	41.82
145	Visalia, California	33.08	26.77	68.28	41.75
146	Renton, Washington	33.26	36.01	58.33	41.61
147	Daly, California	24.34	48.55	57.64	41.59
148	Nashua, New Hampshire	34.88	47.49	43.37	41.21
149	Beaumont, Texas	48.5	13.76	58.89	41.19
150	San Angelo, Texas	45.2	22.49	54.4	41.15
151	Vancouver, Washington	33.06	35.83	56.9	41.04
152	Abilene, Texas	42.35	26.04	54.21	41.01
153	Cranston, Rhode Island	33.05	53.64	38.98	41
154	Denton, Texas	34.44	37.06	53.53	40.95
155	Santa Monica, California	14.89	44.24	71.86	40.79
156	Melbourne, Florida	36.14	34.66	53	40.75
157	Fort Worth, Texas	42.48	23.48	55.55	40.7
158	Vista, California	24.98	38.65	63.31	40.58
159	Thornton, Colorado	45.69	33.96	40.15	40.51
160	Charleston, South Carolina	32.39	33.88	57.88	40.48
161	Sioux City, Iowa	47.53	32.89	38.16	40.33
162	Des Moines, Iowa	43.73	18.94	57.01	40.28
163	Kennewick, Washington	35.83	33.24	53.06	40.22
164	College Station, Texas	20.34	56.16	50.76	40.21
165	Costa Mesa, California	20.89	29.64	76.5	40.19
166	Orange, California	26.94	45.31	52.61	40.16
167	Corona, California	27.25	44.92	52.58	40.15
168	Seattle, Washington	29.3	38.06	56.59	40.12
169	Baytown, Texas	43.1	25.03	51.13	40.08
170	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	40.2	21.14	58.79	40.06
171	Deltona, Florida	43.21	40.03	35.87	40.05
172	San Jose, California	27.7	41.27	54.92	39.94
173	Reno, Nevada	29.85	33.59	59.51	39.87
174	Greeley, Colorado	43.43	20.31	54.62	39.85
175	Concord, North Carolina	38.87	40.12	40.59	39.76
176	Vacaville, California	35.64	35.58	49.39	39.75
177	West Covina, California	32.68	31.98	56.74	39.69
178	Charlotte, North Carolina	35.78	29.75	54.82	39.68
179	Mesa, Arizona	36.88	34.81	48.29	39.68
180	Napa, California	29.37	38.6	54.15	39.57
181	Alhambra, California	17.33	51.31	57.16	39.47
182	Huntsville, Alabama	40.65	22.3	54.47	39.29
183	Houston, Texas	33.12	20.06	66.7	39.28
184	Duluth, Minnesota	39.59	38.35	39.61	39.22
185	Lawrence, Kansas	38.8	41.75	37.22	39.21
186	Miramar, Florida	33.76	41.83	43.59	39.13
187	Oceanside, California	23.47	31.67	67.4	39.11
188	Longview, Texas	49.64	27.55	36.46	39.06
189	Clifton, New Jersey	24.18	54.1	43.84	39.05
190	Roanoke, Virginia	43.66	36.45	35.34	39
191	Corpus Christi, Texas	40.82	19.84	55.6	38.96
192	Boulder, Colorado	21.55	48.06	52.95	38.92
193	Springfield, Missouri	52.38	23.79	35.72	38.8
194	Kent, Washington	33.6	28.74	55.73	38.78
195	Indianapolis, Indiana	37.77	26.03	52.68	38.72
196	Chino, California	31.84	36.94	49.68	38.72
197	Sparks, Nevada	35.13	37.48	44.46	38.63
198	Lawton, Oklahoma	49.92	25.21	36.98	38.63
199	Glendale, Arizona	36.05	24.18	56.32	38.57
200	Glendale, California	11.26	59.48	54.06	38.57
201	Louisville/Jefferson County metro, Kentucky	38.09	19.89	57.86	38.56
202	South Bend, Indiana	46.79	14.59	51.26	38.47
203	Champaign, Illinois	31.74	32.88	53.02	38.47
204	Berkeley, California	17.92	41.04	63.18	38.43
205	Dearborn, Michigan	37.64	36.04	41.41	38.29
206	Brooklyn Park, Minnesota	38.52	32.68	43.31	38.21
207	Indio, California	27.53	24.93	65.61	38.17
208	Nashville-Davidson metro, Tennessee	39.67	17.21	57.02	38.14
209	Carson, California	33.26	25.64	56.79	38.03
210	Evansville, Indiana	44.41	28.38	38.71	37.89
211	Phoenix, Arizona	33.09	23.66	58.52	37.89
212	Buena Park, California	31.08	37.04	47.7	37.86
213	Everett, Washington	28.97	32.44	55.1	37.85
214	Beaverton, Oregon	24.29	59.56	34.04	37.8
215	Murfreesboro, Tennessee	37.76	38.81	36.62	37.73
216	West Valley City, Utah	45.72	24.59	39.92	37.64
217	San Buenaventura (Ventura), California	26.37	33.6	56.59	37.6
218	Fullerton, California	21.62	45.28	50.7	37.45
219	Lynn, Massachusetts	18.01	27.13	73.56	37.41
220	Burbank, California	17.35	46.93	54.39	37.34
221	Spokane, Washington	32.74	26.63	53.96	37.27
222	Columbus, Ohio	35.11	23.58	53.84	37.27
223	Warren, Michigan	43.19	22.14	44.43	37.25
224	Tracy, California	35.64	32.7	43.94	37.25
225	Westminster, California	17.35	48.92	52.06	37.23
226	Redwood City, California	21.09	40.07	55.78	37.19
227	Largo, Florida	33.22	25.72	53.82	37.15
228	Durham, North Carolina	35.34	19.6	56.97	37.11
229	Federal Way, Washington	35.55	21.29	54.79	37.04
230	Ogden, Utah	37.32	20.12	53.51	37.02
231	Albuquerque, New Mexico	37.88	16.85	55.98	37
232	Tyler, Texas	36.02	21.89	53.27	36.96
233	Plantation, Florida	27.39	30.27	56.38	36.95
234	Wichita, Kansas	49.09	18.07	39.56	36.93
235	Mesquite, Texas	45.2	26.12	36.45	36.85
236	Pasadena, Texas	42.91	28.83	36.59	36.79
237	McAllen, Texas	46.5	29.7	30.81	36.75
238	Jacksonville, Florida	36.36	19.88	54.14	36.75
239	Anchorage, Alaska	37.81	29.93	41.95	36.69
240	Portland, Oregon	29.15	31.59	51.8	36.68
241	Lewisville, Texas	37.18	30.75	41.79	36.63
242	Norwalk, Connecticut	26.96	46.82	39.21	36.59
243	Bryan, Texas	34.59	22.99	52.64	36.53
244	Yuma, Arizona	42.18	20.32	44.9	36.44
245	North Las Vegas, Nevada	40.6	23.69	43.52	36.4
246	Boston, Massachusetts	18.71	29.99	66.03	36.29
247	Elgin, Illinois	30.57	38.96	41.23	36.29
248	Norwalk, California	24.93	33.34	54.33	36.28
249	Bellingham, Washington	26.7	36.05	49.02	36.2
250	Tustin, California	25.44	51.42	35.02	36.11
251	Tacoma, Washington	30.26	23.34	56.65	36.1
252	Odessa, Texas	57.42	10.12	33.59	36.08
253	Kenosha, Wisconsin	34.44	35.97	38.25	36.05
254	Aurora, Illinois	35.59	52.44	19.69	35.88
255	Whittier, California	21.97	31.87	58.3	35.84
256	Hayward, California	27.57	18.1	64.48	35.8
257	Davenport, Iowa	43.5	20.6	40.6	35.76
258	Menifee, California	26.85	41.14	41.89	35.65
259	Lynchburg, Virginia	36.04	34.55	36.12	35.62
260	Eugene, Oregon	22.14	39.32	49.87	35.61
261	Palmdale, California	32.05	25.89	49.99	35.58
262	Tulsa, Oklahoma	38.33	14.02	53.43	35.57
263	Asheville, North Carolina	30.46	37.36	40.48	35.54
264	Lubbock, Texas	45.07	22.43	35.77	35.49
265	Auburn, Washington	39.34	28.46	37.32	35.47
266	Ontario, California	26.91	22.6	59.39	35.36
267	New York City, New York	13.01	47.8	52.64	35.34
268	El Monte, California	14.42	31.46	67.08	35.33
269	Kansas City, Missouri	45.87	17.44	38.79	35.22
270	Tempe, Arizona	34.81	22.87	48.07	35.2
271	Santa Rosa, California	24.58	34.56	50	35.2
272	Mission, Texas	50.6	34.35	15.34	35.15
273	Stamford, Connecticut	20.22	49.66	40.34	35.09
274	Lakeland, Florida	36.96	16.59	51.06	35.08
275	St. Paul, Minnesota	31.72	21.72	52.91	35.08
276	Las Cruces, New Mexico	36.57	15.37	52.69	35.04
277	Killeen, Texas	42.15	26.79	33.79	35.03
278	Laredo, Texas	36.5	19.06	49.03	35.03
279	Fontana, California	31.55	31.54	42.75	34.91
280	Washington, District of Columbia	26.45	13.61	67.34	34.86
281	Las Vegas, Nevada	35.16	25.84	43.35	34.82
282	Santa Barbara, California	16.36	36.82	57.44	34.82
283	Baldwin Park, California	21.3	35.48	51.39	34.58
284	Peoria, Illinois	38.1	15.41	48.85	34.52
285	Green Bay, Wisconsin	44.74	34.97	20.32	34.48
286	Buffalo, New York	38.15	19.65	43.53	34.21
287	El Paso, Texas	42.46	38.05	19.28	34.18
288	Greensboro, North Carolina	35.41	27.47	39.22	34.17
289	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	36.03	15.06	50.56	34.1
290	Tampa, Florida	27.18	32.03	45.37	34.09
291	Fairfield, California	32.06	26.15	44.59	34.04
292	Clearwater, Florida	25.86	23.78	55.17	34.03
293	Atlanta, Georgia	23.48	19.92	62.15	34.01
294	Newport News, Virginia	33.21	32.47	36.58	34
295	Deerfield Beach, Florida	31.01	29.6	42.02	33.89
296	Upland, California	17.95	32.6	56.31	33.85
297	Lancaster, California	29.38	21.9	51.75	33.85
298	Anaheim, California	21.74	31.67	52	33.8
299	Sacramento, California	26.94	18.05	58.43	33.72
300	Chattanooga, Tennessee	36.01	13.67	50.66	33.7
301	High Point, North Carolina	27.78	26.49	48.54	33.62
302	Minneapolis, Minnesota	28.17	20.33	53.85	33.52
303	Allentown, Pennsylvania	28.19	27.08	46.78	33.44
304	Springfield, Illinois	43.68	19	34.19	33.43
305	Shreveport, Louisiana	38.81	6.95	52.15	33.26
306	Redding, California	26.8	22.2	52.91	33.25
307	Suffolk, Virginia	34.5	44.79	19.97	33.23
308	Sunrise, Florida	37.74	26.88	33.04	33.07
309	Knoxville, Tennessee	37.43	26.16	33.76	32.95
310	Columbia, South Carolina	29.62	20.49	49.48	32.84
311	Riverside, California	31.21	22.19	45.39	32.76
312	Dallas, Texas	29.85	18.51	50.87	32.75
313	Rialto, California	28.8	26.22	44.48	32.73
314	New Orleans, Louisiana	21.37	34.15	46.32	32.69
315	Escondido, California	18.92	32.17	51.39	32.64
316	Salem, Oregon	31.74	28.87	36.89	32.42
317	Kansas City, Kansas	46.5	9.61	36.3	32.37
318	Tucson, Arizona	33.42	18.06	45.16	32.33
319	Provo, Utah	29.62	52.15	15.67	32.2
320	Santa Ana, California	22.11	29.01	48.22	32.01
321	Gresham, Oregon	24.7	21.43	51.98	31.9
322	Manchester, New Hampshire	33.11	21.5	40.59	31.87
323	New Rochelle, New York	12.45	50	39.59	31.86
324	Norfolk, Virginia	31.8	29.46	34.16	31.8
325	Bakersfield, California	35.39	16.7	41.61	31.65
326	Lowell, Massachusetts	22.85	40.34	34.58	31.62
327	Hampton, Virginia	38.44	34.48	19.58	31.6
328	Chico, California	22.19	31.71	44.02	31.59
329	Concord, California	27.26	17.31	51.18	31.45
330	Akron, Ohio	40.77	17.82	32.55	31.42
331	Hammond, Indiana	49.21	21.96	16.96	31.36
332	Joliet, Illinois	32.35	41.48	19.62	31.27
333	Moreno Valley, California	34.36	18.03	40.14	31.19
334	Fort Smith, Arkansas	36.18	22.24	33.34	31.14
335	Syracuse, New York	36.01	12.27	43.36	31.09
336	Yakima, Washington	37.75	19.32	33.99	31.09
337	Lafayette, Louisiana	35.5	19.35	36.82	31.05
338	Grand Rapids, Michigan	38.68	18.82	33.03	31.03
339	Edinburg, Texas	43.05	17.42	28.36	30.95
340	Hialeah, Florida	14.07	26.99	57.35	30.93
341	Fayetteville, Arkansas	31.6	24.79	35.92	30.86
342	Tallahassee, Florida	23.05	25.02	46.71	30.74
343	Danbury, Connecticut	27.36	48.26	17.66	30.72
344	Waco, Texas	30.39	16.55	45.1	30.65
345	Bellflower, California	14.3	31.49	51.55	30.63
346	Salt Lake City, Utah	29.61	25.32	36.87	30.5
347	Hesperia, California	33.91	22.57	33.52	30.39
348	Honolulu, Hawaii	18.2	14.67	61.92	30.26
349	Baton Rouge, Louisiana	34.51	6.83	47.85	30.21
350	Savannah, Georgia	26.7	18.18	46.69	30.14
351	Bloomington, Indiana	18.29	49.41	26.39	30.06
352	North Charleston, South Carolina	27.95	13.81	49.07	30.05
353	Columbia, Missouri	33.59	19.74	35.59	30.03
354	Reading, Pennsylvania	35.14	27.42	25.77	30.01
355	Jersey City, New Jersey	18.37	40.52	34.89	29.97
356	Winston-Salem, North Carolina	34.72	19.57	34.04	29.97
357	Brownsville, Texas	34.04	23.34	31.06	29.94
358	Lansing, Michigan	39.7	15.24	31.55	29.92
359	Spokane Valley, Washington	31.4	38.46	19.33	29.9
360	Montgomery, Alabama	44.46	5.88	34.42	29.87
361	Yonkers, New York	14.24	44.01	36.27	29.78
362	Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia	39.3	30.53	16.13	29.72
363	San Leandro, California	23.55	13.37	54.25	29.7
364	Citrus Heights, California	28.13	14.6	46.86	29.69
365	Birmingham, Alabama	36.91	5.97	43.23	29.53
366	Macon-Bibb County, Georgia	32.89	9.31	44.01	29.15
367	Pharr, Texas	54.83	23.9	0	29.1
368	Orlando, Florida	22.41	24.07	43.04	29.1
369	Portsmouth, Virginia	38.12	30.18	15.66	29
370	Fort Lauderdale, Florida	23.11	19.87	45.55	28.87
371	Jackson, Mississippi	36.11	6.99	40.12	28.57
372	Waukegan, Illinois	32.3	21.29	30.14	28.35
373	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	28.4	11.59	44.78	28.27
374	Little Rock, Arkansas	35.84	8.21	37.99	28.2
375	Toledo, Ohio	39.97	24.92	15.54	28.13
376	Fall River, Massachusetts	20.69	34.95	31.21	28.12
377	Wilmington, North Carolina	22.59	33.33	30.11	28.07
378	Antioch, California	28.54	13.73	41.5	27.99
379	Rochester, New York	34.63	22.23	24.45	27.86
380	Cincinnati, Ohio	26.82	26.45	30.44	27.8
381	St. Petersburg, Florida	32.78	14.56	33.98	27.67
382	Los Angeles, California	12.96	26.89	47.7	27.56
383	Pompano Beach, Florida	28.79	14.32	38.9	27.48
384	Oxnard, California	21.75	14.1	48.26	27.41
385	Pomona, California	24.09	17.02	41.77	27.27
386	Gainesville, Florida	20	33.86	30.32	27.25
387	Salinas, California	26.07	11.67	44.21	27.19
388	Pasadena, California	20.97	25.93	36.66	27.17
389	South Gate, California	17.71	21.38	45.48	27.14
390	Pueblo, Colorado	32.08	16.69	30.82	27.09
391	Medford, Oregon	24.83	24.7	31.23	26.71
392	Hollywood, Florida	26.34	22.14	31.74	26.7
393	Memphis, Tennessee	35.13	10.75	31.02	26.58
394	Vallejo, California	27.98	9.46	41.54	26.49
395	Fresno, California	26.32	14.67	38.42	26.45
396	West Palm Beach, Florida	32.65	14.8	29.29	26.29
397	Columbus, Georgia	29.78	15.38	31.95	26.11
398	Richmond, Virginia	22.46	25.43	31.45	26.05
399	Santa Maria, California	28.16	16.69	31.9	25.84
400	Modesto, California	30.04	12.83	32.56	25.63
401	Trenton, New Jersey	31.87	30.29	12.58	25.61
402	Miami Beach, Florida	7.16	20.18	55.56	25.58
403	St. Louis, Missouri	32.82	10.98	29.9	25.39
404	Mobile, Alabama	40.44	12.79	17.79	25.35
405	Victorville, California	32.13	12.78	28.66	25.28
406	Scranton, Pennsylvania	31.82	24.63	17.14	25.26
407	Fayetteville, North Carolina	34.3	22.12	16.23	25.23
408	El Cajon, California	17.22	33.07	27.01	24.91
409	Long Beach, California	16.7	25.74	34.95	24.89
410	Lawrence, Massachusetts	15.89	19.33	41.82	24.7
411	Stockton, California	25.82	11.74	35.33	24.45
412	Flint, Michigan	53.19	7.96	2.4	24.38
413	Chicago, Illinois	20.7	21	32.56	24.35
414	Dayton, Ohio	38.26	14.7	14.79	24.15
415	Richmond, California	22.98	10.36	39.4	24.12
416	Miami Gardens, Florida	22.25	13.76	36.57	24
417	San Bernardino, California	22.56	7.7	41.97	23.93
418	Athens-Clarke County, Georgia	20.16	24.28	28.19	23.81
419	Compton, California	22.78	10.11	38.54	23.71
420	Miami, Florida	7.27	18.26	50.95	23.68
421	Oakland, California	18.44	8.25	45.98	23.64
422	New Bedford, Massachusetts	23.31	14.92	32.37	23.51
423	Brockton, Massachusetts	20.9	18.89	30.61	23.21
424	Cicero, Illinois	20.7	20.53	28.4	22.96
425	Hawthorne, California	7.61	19.66	46.69	22.95
426	Racine, Wisconsin	43.79	17.75	0	22.84
427	Baltimore, Maryland	24.17	10.85	32.94	22.8
428	Elizabeth, New Jersey	14.08	23.78	33.27	22.75
429	Worcester, Massachusetts	23.66	26.92	17.14	22.68
430	Gary, Indiana	36.48	5.02	21.58	22.57
431	Inglewood, California	14.61	15.32	39.98	22.43
432	Merced, California	22.36	14.39	29.43	22.09
433	Greenville, North Carolina	22.05	23.02	20.46	21.87
434	Albany, New York	22.8	20.34	16.16	20.07
435	Camden, New Jersey	28.87	6.02	22.31	20.05
436	Springfield, Massachusetts	26.54	13.14	16.06	19.38
437	Milwaukee, Wisconsin	30.12	6.55	14.92	18.49
438	Rockford, Illinois	36.56	12.68	0	18.43
439	Cleveland, Ohio	35.62	4.03	9.29	18.24
440	New Haven, Connecticut	15.5	10.5	27.79	17.69
441	Providence, Rhode Island	20.78	14.45	15.28	17.23
442	Hemet, California	21.92	13.42	14.44	17.13
443	Waterbury, Connecticut	24.93	10.23	12.76	16.87
444	Newark, New Jersey	12.07	11.8	23.28	15.35
445	Bridgeport, Connecticut	17.98	12.11	14.56	15.19
446	Detroit, Michigan	28.11	1.16	10.95	14.88
447	Hartford, Connecticut	20.05	7.84	11.97	13.97
448	Paterson, New Jersey	6.2	16.37	15.17	11.94

METHODOLOGY

Nerdwallet analyzed the largest 448 cities and towns in the country by population where applicable data for the study were available. The score for each location was determined by analyzing data from Down Payment Resource, the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and NeighborhoodScout. Our analysis examined:

Affordability: We looked at 2015 ACS data to analyze the income to home price ratio and the availability of homeownership assistance programs from Down Payment Resource. We gave affordability a 40% weighting.

Livability: We looked at crime rankings and school rankings provided by NeighborhoodScout, which were on a 1 to 100 scale. For crime rankings, we used the proprietary data to categorize each city as “most safe,” “above average safe,” “below average safe” and “most unsafe.” For school rankings, we used the proprietary data to categorize each city as “best schools,” “above average schools,” “below average schools” and “worst schools.” We gave livability a 30% weighting.

Stability: We looked at poverty and employment data from the 2015 ACS. We used housing price volatility data from Zillow to assess the health of the housing market. Using the same Zillow data, we multiplied the stability score by a multiplier between zero and one (in increments of 0.25), depending on the number of year-over-year drops in housing prices, to penalize housing markets that are subject to prolonged downturns. We gave stability a 30% weighting.

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America’s Best Places for First-Time Homebuyers

NerdWallet’s analysis

Key takeaways

Top 10 cities for first-time homebuyers

1. Carmel, Indiana

2. Fishers, Indiana

3. Johns Creek, Georgia

4. Frisco, Texas

5. Newton, Massachusetts

6. Allen, Texas

7. Gilbert, Arizona

8. Centennial, Colorado

9. Olathe, Kansas

10. Sugar Land, Texas

Best cities for first-time homebuyers by region

Best cities in the Northeast

Best cities in the Midwest

Best cities in the South

Best cities in the West

Best cities for first-time homebuyers

METHODOLOGY

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