The Cheapest Beautiful Towns To Live In Missouri

Missouri keeps its lowest home prices in its prettiest towns. Neosho grows the world's largest flower box in an old railroad car. Lebanon sits beside a spring pushing 100 million gallons a day. Hannibal raised Mark Twain and still sells homes below the state median. These are the cheapest beautiful towns in Missouri.

Lebanon

Lebanon has a distinct oasis feel that draws new residents, derived from its spring-water parks and Route 66 heritage. Its most beautiful destination is Bennett Spring State Park, a 3,338-acre facility that was formerly used for milling. Today, it is a fine spot to fish for rainbow trout as 100 million gallons of clear water flow through the spring each day, or to hike the trails around it. The spring also contains the Nature Center with in-depth nature programs, walks, and exhibits on Missouri's spring waters. Lebanon also provides fun 1950s memorabilia at the Route 66 Museum, with a recreated gas station, diner, and Route 66 books. The median home sale price in Lebanon is $241,438, nearly $20,000 below the state median.

West Plains

West Plains is an Ozark community close to all manner of hiking trails, both in the Mark Twain National Forest and within the community. Motorcyclists in particular love to put down roots here, with Highway 160 offering curvy roads up into the mountains. Hikers enjoy serene green spaces in the city, such as the 2.4-mile Georgia White Walking Park and the Galloway Creek Nature Park, featuring a covered bridge and open fields. The town also preserves a rare prairie via the 240-acre Tingler Prairie Conservation Area. The town is affordable for both renters and homebuyers, with an average rent of $700 per month, according to Zillow data, and a median home sale price of $231,667.

Princeton

Princeton gets its name from the American Revolutionary War Battle of Princeton, where General Hugh Mercer was mortally wounded in early 1777. Mercer also gives his name to the surrounding county. Thankfully, it's not a battle to find affordable housing in Princeton, as its median sale price is very low at under $93,000. Residents can save money by exploring the surrounding countryside. Just a few miles west of Princeton is the Lake Paho Conservation Area, a 273-acre lake surrounded by rolling hills and prairie. In the town proper, one can find a historical marker in Bandstand Park on Calamity Jane, a 19th-century frontierswoman and adventurer who was born in Princeton. Young families go hiking or picnicking at the local Levi Lowry Memorial Park. Another interesting natural place is the Chloe Lowry Marsh Natural Area in Princeton. This 115-acre facility is one of the few freshwater marshes left in the state and is a great place for bird watching.

Neosho

Neosho's name comes from an Osage word for clear waters, as there are natural spring waters here that have long served as communal gathering places. Neosho is an attractive place to settle down, with a median home sale price of $224,750 and an average monthly rent of $1,095. Residents regularly come down to Big Spring Park to enjoy the spring water, feed the fish in the koi pond, or take a photo of the floral clock. Neosho is known as the Flower Box City because businesses and residents alike place boxed flowers out to beautify the town. At Morse Park, one can find the World's Largest Flower Box, an old railroad gondola car turned into a 66-foot-long planter. The town is also home to the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, the oldest federal hatchery still operating, which raises rainbow trout and endangered fish species.

Carthage

Carthage is named after the ancient rival of Rome in northern Africa, in modern-day Tunisia. Today, Carthage can rival the best towns in Missouri both in beauty and affordability. The median rent here is $982.64 a month, which is below the current national median of $1,385 as of July 2022. In the town, one will find historic buildings at sites such as the marble Jasper County Courthouse, built in the Romanesque Revival style with several towers. It's one of the most photographed landmarks in Missouri. The town was the site of an American Civil War battle in 1861, and the free Battle of Carthage Civil War Museum tells the story of that destructive battle. One of the most beautiful spots in Carthage is the Precious Moments Chapel, a church featuring 84 murals and 30 stained-glass windows depicting Bible scenes in the Precious Moments art style.

Hannibal

Hannibal's name also has Carthaginian roots, from the famed Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca, who invaded the Roman Republic in the 3rd century BC. Today, Hannibal stands out for being the boyhood home of another legendary figure: Mark Twain. His boyhood home is preserved at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum in Hannibal, near other places tied to his imagination, including the Mississippi River views at Riverview Park and the Mark Twain Cave Complex. One of the most beautiful views in Hannibal is at Lover's Leap, a river bluff that offers a panoramic view of the river and the town. Hannibal stands out for its affordability, with a median sale price for homes going at just below $169,400, which is nearly $100,000 below the state level.

Branson

Branson offers a nearly perfect blend of affordability and beautiful sights. Homes here have a median sale price of just under $244,000, which is below the state median of $265,000. The town is surrounded by beautiful lakes in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. The closest major lake destination is Table Rock State Park on Table Rock Lake, where visitors can rent paddleboards, use paved trails, and ride designated biking trails. Drivers can also get a great view of the lake from the Highway 165 scenic overlook. Hikers can spend countless hours exploring the natural sites in Branson, such as the waterfalls in the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area, including the Grotto dome carved into the side of a bluff. One of the best summer activities in Branson is Silver Dollar City, an amusement park designed with an 1880s mining town vibe.

Affordable Living

Rising housing costs can make one feel like they are wandering through the desert in search of an affordable place to live. These beautiful Missouri towns provide an oasis for those who don't want to sacrifice beauty for budget-friendly housing and apartments. In Hannibal, one can walk out of the house and follow the footsteps of a young Mark Twain through the caves, while in Branson, one can spend a day on the trails and overlooks of the Ozark Mountains. In these oasis towns, one won't just find a place to sleep, but rather a place to thrive.