06-05-2025
Top US Cities Where the Middle Class Can Afford a Home and Don't Need a Car
With President Donald Trump's tariffs threatening to increase the prices of new and used vehicles this spring, commuters in public-transit-friendly cities may see a slight financial advantage. That's the good news.
The bad news? The price of housing in many of these cities is way above the national median sales price of $416,900 — all the way up to $2.55 million in Brookline, Massachusetts.
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However, data from and location intelligence company Local Logic found at least three walkable U.S. cities where the middle class can buy a home for under $500,000.
Minneapolis
Median home price: $335,000
Many people may not think of Minneapolis as a walkable city due to cold winter weather. But the city's extensive Skyway System, a series of covered, climate-controlled footbridges above the city, helps immensely. The city also has a bus and light rail network for public transit, and the average commute is just 23 minutes, according to BestPlaces.
According to the and Local Logic report, over 27% of residents don't drive to work.
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Chicago
Median home price: $354,900
Chicago was recently ranked the most walkable city for tourists, according to a study by Preply. It's good for commuters as well, with the second-largest public transportation system in the U.S. that's made up of eight train lines and 127 bus routes, according to Choose Chicago. There is also a bike-share program and more than 450 miles of bike lanes.
Affordable home prices within the city or in nearby suburbs make Chicago a great choice for families who want to forgo owning a car. In fact, per the and Local Logic study, nearly half (44%) of residents don't drive to work.
Emeryville, California
Median home price: $485,000
It's not easy to find affordable real estate in California. But Emeryville is a commuter-friendly, walkable city in the Bay Area between Berkeley and Oakland. Access to a free transit system that connects to the larger Bay Area Rapid Transit and an Amtrak station makes commuting across the state easy. And 49.5% of people don't drive to work here.
However, be aware that crime rates here are higher than the national average. Choose your home carefully and stay active with neighborhood watch programs.
4 More Cities With Median Home Prices Under $1 Million
Most middle-class Americans may not consider $1 million an affordable price for a home. But if your budget can stretch, these four walkable U.S. cities provide tons of amenities — including excellent and affordable public transit.
