6 Best Starter Towns In Missouri For First-Time Homeowners
Known for its beautiful outdoor scenery and vibrant culture, Missouri is a great place to live. Living in Missouri offers a lower cost of living compared to other states, and Missouri has a reputation for having friendly communities. Overall, this makes Missouri a great place for first-time home owners. The median house price in Missouri is $260,000, which is significantly lower than the national average of $410,000. This makes it a bit easier for first-time homebuyers to enter the housing market, and there are even some state programs that help first-time homebuyers with their down payment. Some places in Missouri are better than others when it comes to buying your first home. The small towns in Missouri offer a strong sense of community and a lower cost of living, making them excellent options for first-time homebuyers. Here, we explore the six best towns in Missouri for first-time home owners.
Poplar Bluff
Known as one of the towns that serves as the Gateway to the Ozarks, Poplar Bluff is a great place for nature lovers seeking an affordable spot to buy their first home. The town's median house price is $126,950, which is almost 50% less than the state's median home price. The mix of public and private schools in the area makes Poplar Bluff a great town for people with kids. Some notable schools include Eugene Field Elementary School, which offers a program for gifted and talented kids, offering lots of educational tools. One of the top private schools in the area is Zion Lutheran School, which consistently has students performing excellently on academic tests. The town also has great healthcare with Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and Saint Francis Clinic. Both medical centers are known for their commitment to patient care. Being so close to the Ozarks, Poplar Bluff also has lots of outdoor activities to enjoy. The town is near the Black River, a great spot for fishing and kayaking. Mark Twain National Forest is also nearby and offers 750 miles of trails. Living here, nature truly will be in your backyard!
Neosho
Neosho is a town known for its natural beauty. There are numerous parks in town, making it an ideal place to live for nature enthusiasts. Neosho's median house price is $175,000, so there are some more relatively affordable options for first-time home owners in town. What makes Neosho a great place to live goes beyond the affordability factor. The town is a close-knit community where people stop to chat with one another. Healthcare is easily accessible in town with the Freeman Neosho Hospital. While the hospital does not offer specialized care, Joplin has more specialized healthcare facilities, and it is only a short drive away. Neosho's heart is, of course, in the town's natural spaces. Living here, you do not have to go far to experience natural beauty. Neosho’s Big Spring Park is a beautiful park in town that covers 25 acres and has one of the largest springs in the state. Walk on the park's winding paths for some daily exercise or enjoy meeting up with friends here. Just outside town, there is Crowder College’s campus, a great place for adults looking to continue learning. The college offers continuing education classes for adults looking to learn new skills. The campus also has trails open to the public to enjoy more green space.
Kirksville
Kirksville is one of Missouri's coziest small towns and makes a great place to live. The town has affordable housing, with the median house price being $159,960, which is $100,000 less than the state median price. Kirksville also has a strong educational presence with three colleges: Truman State University, Moberly Area Community College, and A.T. Still University. This is great for families with kids who want to stay in town while going to post-secondary. The town also has a learning center for people who need more support with their education. The Kirksville Community Learning Center provides educational experiences and life skills training. Beyond the classroom, there are plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities, making it easy to live an active lifestyle in town for those who enjoy the outdoors. Kirksville is near Thousand Hills State Park, which offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, and boating. The town also has an aquatic center that offers swimming classes and opportunities to use the pool.
Sikeston
Sikeston is a charming town with lots of natural beauty. It is the perfect spot for first-time home owners looking for an affordable place without sacrificing scenic views. There are parks, walking trails, and nearby attractions like the Mississippi River and the Trail of Tears State Park. Sikeston is also a more affordable place to buy your first home. The median home price is $149,638, with a median list price of $181,283. The town offers numerous community amenities, making it a convenient place to live. Sikeston is home to the Missouri Delta Medical Center, a non-profit hospital that meets your healthcare needs in town. On your afternoons, enjoy a walk in town at the Sikeston City Park. This is an excellent spot for spending quality time with family after work or on the weekends. Interested in history? Visit the town's Sikeston Depot Museum, which showcases the history of the surrounding area. Throughout the year, the area is also enlivened by community events, including the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo and the Downtown Sikeston Christmas Festival.
Carthage
Carthage is a beautiful historic town that is surprisingly affordable. At $177,500, Carthage's Median house price is over 30% lower than Missouri's median housing price. Carthage is home to some excellent schools, such as Steadley Elementary School, which consistently produces high test scores. There are also several medical centers in town, including Mercy Hospital Carthage and Freeman Health System, so you will not have to travel far for great healthcare. Looking to learn about the area you are in? Carthage is the perfect place to get curious about history, as the town is chock-full of museums and historic sites. History enthusiasts will feel at home and can learn endlessly about the area's stories. Check out the Carthage Civil War museum or explore the National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum and the World's Largest Small Electrical Appliance Museum. These make great spots to take visiting family and friends!
Kennett
When it comes to affordability, Kennett, Missouri, is one of the best towns. The median house price is over 50% lower than the state's median at $122,000. Kennett is very affordable, with a house price to income ratio of 2.39%. The town is also perfect for raising a family, with its public schools and hospitals all in town. Otto Bean Medical Center in Kennett is a healthcare facility dedicated to delivering high-quality care to patients in a more remote area. There are also community amenities to enjoy, such as the Sheryl Crow Aquatic Center. The modern aquatic center has a swimming pool and a splash pad to take the whole family, making it a lively community spot. Outdoor lovers will enjoy Kennett's natural scenery and abundance of natural parks. Del-Mo Park is a beautiful spot in town, perfect for an afternoon walk or family picnic. Sports enthusiasts will be happy that Kennett is home to Indian Park, which has a state-of-the-art baseball and softball complex. The complex attracts teams from all around the area, and anyone with kids in sports will be happy that this complex is conveniently located in town! Kennett is also home to grocery stores and restaurants, making it easy to meet all your needs in town. Check out Grecian Steak House for a nice night out with family or friends. Overall, Kennett has a lot of small-town charm and is an affordable place for your first home.
Choosing The Town Right For You
Overall, these six towns are among the most affordable for first-time homebuyers in Missouri. Many of them also have good schools and great health care services, making them a great place to live. Beyond the basics, these towns also have a welcoming community, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy Missouri's nature. When choosing where to live, consider what is most important to you. Are you a young couple looking to start a family? A place with good schools, healthcare amenities, and social services might be most important to you. Or are you an adventurous spirit looking to be close to walking trails and in a place with a tight-knit community? Whatever you are looking for in your first place to call home, these six towns make a great option to start your next chapter.
