A city is underrated when its true value isn’t widely recognized. Everyone can tell you about the hottest cities in the U.S., such as Dallas Real Estate, while less well-known cities continue to fly under the radar. To bring those unsung metropolises out into the light of day, we’ve concocted a list of the 6 most underrated cities in the U.S.
Minneapolis, MN
The largest city on this list, the Minneapolis metropolitan area, draws in nearly 4M people, making it the undisputed center of Minnesota and one of the largest big cities in America’s far north. Minneapolis is known for its thriving business market. According to RP Analytics, Minneapolis is seventh in the nation in terms of hosting Fortune 500 companies.
Real estate in Minneapolis is another major draw, with a plethora of vintage, single-family housing to be found both in and around the city. With a median listing price of $339K, Minneapolis real estate is slightly more affordable than the national median.
If you enjoy winter sports, the snowy months will be a paradise for you. Minneapolis regularly hosts community events such as cross-country skiing, snow sculpture competitions, and winter festivals to get you out and about and away from cabin fever.
Lincoln, NE
Just about an hour southwest of Omaha, Lincoln is a small prairie city too often overlooked by the rest of the country. Home to the University of Nebraska, Lincoln takes its college football seriously, so if you’re passionate about sports and supporting your home team, Lincoln is the right city for you.
Lincoln is also the capital of the state of Nebraska and thus supports plenty of civic and administration jobs and contracts. Besides government work, Lincoln is considered part of Silicon Prairie thanks to its expanding tech industry and close connections with Omaha.
Lincoln, NE real estate is very affordable when compared to the rest of the country, with a median home price of $275,000 and a very strong tradition of homeownership, as more people own their homes than rent them in Lincoln. With a strong sense of community and a solid job market, Lincoln is definitely one of the most underrated cities in the U.S.
Reno, NV
Reno gets overshadowed by flashy Las Vegas far to the South, but don’t let the Strip distract you from the fact that Reno is undoubtedly one of the nicest cities to call home in Nevada. Located on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Reno residents have both the desert and gorgeous mountain lakes, all within an hour from their front door.
Besides the beauty of its natural surroundings, Reno is a major center for business in the West and the U.S. in general. Companies like Tesla, Apple, and Amazon are all heavily invested in the local economy. If you have any background in tech or data, you should have no problem finding a job in Reno.
Reno real estate is among the stronger markets in the U.S., with an average annual appreciation rate of over 5%. Single-family homes make up half of the available properties. With a median listing price of $625K, the Reno real estate market is among the most valuable to be found in the country and one of the most underrated cities in the U.S.
Rochester, NY
Rochester is a well-kept secret that won’t stay secret for much longer. Not far from the shores of Lake Ontario, this underrated upstate New York city of just over 200K has one of the most affordable real estate markets in America for a city of its size. Even with a median listing price of $160K, you can find three-bedroom, 2,000+ square foot homes for sale in Rochester for less than $100K.
Rochester’s economy is not dominated by any one industry, though over the last couple of decades tech has become a bigger player in the local job market. The University of Rochester employs the most people in the area and gives the city an academic tinge that the local Eastman School of Music reinforces.
Rochester is a cultural center of New York State, comparable to cities like Syracuse and Ithaca. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy live music and theater in Rochester, and you’ll want to head 20 minutes up the road to the Lake Ontario shore in the summer. Overall you’ll find Rochester to be a charming, easy city to live in that probably won’t stay underrated for long.
Fayetteville, AR
If you’re looking for the most underrated cities in the U.S., check out one of the most underrated states. Fayetteville, a city of just under 100K, is an up-and-coming Southern City with a lot to love, and people have begun to catch on.
Take Fayetteville’s real estate market as a sign of its growth. With a median listing price of $395K, Fayetteville is among Arkansas’ top cities in terms of home values. In Fayetteville, most of the homes you’ll find were all built within the last 30 years and had been appreciating steadily for the last five years.
Fayetteville is also home to the University of Arkansas, a major local employer. Other big economic forces at work in Fayetteville are Walmart and Tyson Foods which, though based in cities just outside Fayetteville, bring wealth and jobs to the whole region.
In Fayetteville, you’ll find plenty of youthful energy, with lots of people biking and rollerblading around. There are tons of community events held year-round, and as Fayetteville is located near the heart of the Arkansas Ozarks, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get out of town and enjoy nature.
Chattanooga, TN
This southeastern Tennessee city of just under 200K is well-beloved in its region but virtually unknown in the rest of the country. Chattanooga sits right along the Tennessee River and is a major cultural and economic center in the southern extreme of Appalachia.
Chattanooga Real Estate is evenly balanced between buyers and sellers, and single-family homes make up the majority of properties for sale. The median listing price in Chattanooga is $325K, well below both Tennessee and national averages.
The economy in Chattanooga was once based on the railroads, and even to this day transportation and logistics are major aspects of the local economy. Nowadays, Chattanooga is a city of both startups and corporate headquarters, playing host to companies like Pepsico and AT&T.
One of the best parts about living in Chattanooga is the culture. The city hosts music festivals and other community events all year round and is home to a variety of museums and even an aquarium. No matter if Chattanooga remains one of the most underrated cities in the U.S, those in the know will keep loving Chattanooga all the same.
6 most Underrated Cities in The U.S.
We’ve barely scratched the surface in terms of revealing the most underrated cities in the U.S. Every state has a plethora of cities large and small just waiting to have their true potential discovered. If any of the cities on this list look good to you, get in touch with an agent today and discover their secrets for yourself. But if you’re not sure about any of the cities mentioned, check out our list of the best suburbs to live in St. Petersburg, FL!
