20 Beautiful Homes Hiding in America's Most Affordable Cities

From Pittsburgh to Kansas City, the most economical cities in America are also home to some of the most extravagant abodes standing today. For proof, take a grand tour of these opulent homes in America’s least expensive zip codes.

By Manasa Reddigari | Updated Jan 19, 2017 12:20 PM

Fayetteville, Arkansas

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Fayetteville, AR

Nestled in the Ozarks, this stately colonial-style house provides a perfect example of the refined splendor found in budget-friendly Fayetteville. Situated on a five-acre lot, the gated home and separate mother-in-law apartment provide the ultimate in privacy and luxury. 


Related: The 22 Weirdest Town Names Ever Put on the Map

Zillow Home in Fayetteville, AR

Richly Furnished

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Richly Furnished

With five bedrooms, five baths, a vaulted ceiling, a sweeping staircase, and an equestrian facility next door, the home is sure to transport visitors to a more elegant time.

Related: Where to Get the Most Bang for Your Real Estate Buck

Zillow Home in Fayetteville, AR

Des Moines, Iowa

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Des Moines, IA

Iowa's capital city is brimming with scenic wonders, from Gray’s Lake Park to the Principal Riverwalk on the Des Moines River. Just as wonderful are the city's eclectic neighborhoods, filled with homes that are rich in character yet relatively low in price. 

Related: America's Most Burglarized Towns and Cities

Zillow Home in Des Moines, IA

Midwest Morning Room

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Midwest Morning Room

A case in point: this towering two-story home that, behind its buttoned-down exterior, offers a warm, light ambience, even on snowy winter days, thanks to wall-to-wall windows, vibrant window dressings, and the cheery red furniture in the sunny breakfast nook.

Zillow Home in Des Moines, IA

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Baton Rouge, LA

The quiet neighbor of New Orleans, Baton Rouge is rife with historic neighborhoods where you'll find both low-cost and lavish modern homes


Related: 18 American Towns Every Old-House Lover Needs to See

Zillow Home in Baton Rouge, LA

Seat of Southern Cooking

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Seat of Southern Cooking

The stunning features of this regal residence, including antique reclaimed pine beams and Lagos Azul Limestone countertops in the kitchen, make it the must-have million-dollar property it is today.

Related: 12 Incredible Homes That Were Built By Their Owners

Zillow Home in Baton Rouge, LA

Little Rock, Arkansas

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Little Rock, AR

The French dubbed this city on the Arkansas River "La Petite Roche," or "Little Rock," but today the state capital is anything but small. Visitors to this sprawling metropolis will find both moderately priced neighborhoods and districts replete with grand homes. Homeowners seeking to trade their cramped quarters for more spacious digs will flip over this 7,307-square-foot estate in Edgehill. 

Zillow Home in Little Rock, AR

Gilded in Arkansas

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Gilded in Arkansas

Built in 1829, the palatial property offers three bedrooms as well as four full and two half baths with charming Georgian-era accents.

Related: America’s 50 Most Infamous Homes

Zillow Home in Little Rock, AR

Indianapolis, Indiana

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Indianapolis, IN

Modern-day Hoosiers can travel back to simpler times when they step inside this European-style estate. 


Related: 15 100-Year-Old Houses That Haven't Aged a Day

Zillow Home in Indianapolis, IN

Old World Interior

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Old World Interior

The five-bedroom property located in Washington Township boasts antique-look charm in its seven ornate bathrooms, while a covered veranda, wet bar, and home theater make the property ideal for sophisticated entertaining.

Related: The Cost of 2,000 Square Feet in America’s Cheapest Cities

Zillow Home in Indianapolis, IN

Louisville, Kentucky

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Louisville, KY

Wining and dining your guests is easy when you take up lodging in this luxury property in the ultra-economical Derby City. 

Zillow Home in Louisville, KY

Luxury in Louisville

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Luxury in Louisville

The open floor plan of the nearly 10,000-square-foot estate is full of thoughtful details like custom millwork, sleek hardwood floors, marble countertops, and a temperature-controlled wine cellar. The result is a rustic retreat fit for any occasion, from an everyday family dinner to a lavish cocktail party.

Zillow Home in Louisville, KY

Wichita, Kansas

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Wichita, KS

The turn of the 20th century ushered in a modern age of technological advancement in the city dubbed Cowtown, but through it all, Wichita retained its hospitality


Related: 16 Iconic American Homes Torn Down Before Their Time

Zillow Home in Wichita, KS

Welcoming Entry

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Welcoming Entry

Like the city itself, this sprawling property in Lakepoint is modern yet intimate. Although the brick exterior and three-car garage may look imposing from the street, on the inside you'll find a rustic interior that rolls out a warm welcome.

Zillow Home in Wichita, KS

Grand Rapids, Michigan

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Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids earned the nickname "Furniture City" from its history as a manufacturing hub for home furnishings. That craftsman lineage can be seen in the hand-carved woodwork throughout this seven-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath home. Built by local businessman and socialite Louis A. Cornelius in 1929, the home was once a destination for lavish parties. 

Zillow Home in Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Greenhouse

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Grand Greenhouse

Today, the sprawling residence, with its basketball and tennis courts, pool and hot tub, and picturesque garden, pond, and greenhouse, is a multipurpose space that appeals to folks of many backgrounds and interests.

Zillow Home in Grand Rapids, MI

Tulsa, Oklahoma

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Tulsa, OK

After Tulsa struck it rich as an oil town, a construction boom ensued, turning the once sleepy southern city into a hot market for home buyers. Among the properties born of Tulsa's prosperity was this elegant 9,875-square-foot estate. 


Related: Would You Recognize These 9 Iconic Streets Way Back When?

Zillow Home in Tulsa, OK

Over-the-Top Elegance

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Over-the-Top Elegance

Built in 1939, the staggering residence features architectural accents characteristic of the French Renaissance Revival style, from the balustrade on the granite exterior to the carved overmantel of the living room fireplace.

Zillow Home in Tulsa, OK

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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Oklahoma City, OK

Multihued hardwood floors lend a handsome finish to this home in laid-back Oklahoma City. Inside, you'll find an executive office, workshop, and three-car garage, all surrounded by 11 acres of gardens and two pristine ponds. 

Zillow Home in Oklahoma City, OK

Inside the OKC Home

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Inside the OKC Home

Beyond the grounds of the 2,200-square-foot estate, OKC and nearby Edmond draw tourists and long-time residents alike with affordable attractions like the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Zillow Home in Oklahoma City, OK

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Pittsburgh, PA

Corner lots are among the most coveted by buyers, which means that home shoppers should be exceptionally interested in this immaculately maintained property that plays host to a 4,644-square-foot residence in the Steel City. 


Related: 14 Surprising Small Towns the Stars Call Home

Zillow Home in Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh Pocket Doors

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Pittsburgh Pocket Doors

Inside this five-bedroom home, modern amenities like state-of-the-art appliances mix with classic features like pocket doors and richly detailed molding.

Zillow Home in Pittsburgh, PA

Columbia, South Carolina

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Columbia, SC

This four-bedroom beauty in the capital of South Carolina takes the concept of an open floor plan to a whole new level. 

Zillow Home in Columbia, SC 

Secret Passageway

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Secret Passageway

The best-kept secret of this household is a built-in bookshelf that gives way to a full bathroom and closet; likewise, the master suite grants passage to a hidden laundry room. Upstairs, space is put to no less ingenious use: A multipurpose room does triple duty as a den, playroom, and media room poised to amuse entertainment seekers for hours on end.

Zillow Home in Columbia, SC 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Minneapolis, MN

The antique woodwork, wainscoting, and stained-glass windows of this architectural marvel in Minneapolis are all hallmarks of the 1930s, the era of its construction. But coupled with these old-world accents is a host of upgraded amenities for the modern homeowner. 

Related: Better Your Builder-Grade Home with 12 Old House Details

Zillow Home in Minneapolis, MN

Marble Mansion

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Marble Mansion

When you're not soaking away your cares in the marble spa, you can catch your favorite flick in the on-site movie theater. No matter where you want to travel within the 8,460-square-foot abode, the built-in elevator can help you get there at a moment's notice.

Related: The Cleanest (and Dirtiest) Cities in America

Zillow Home in Minneapolis, MN

Greenville, South Carolina

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Greenville, SC

There's no shortage of natural light in this welcoming Greenville home thanks to the grand windows cut into the home's numerous doors, which illuminate the interior while bringing backyard beauty indoors

Zillow Home in Greenville, SC

Epic Proportions

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Epic Proportions

Inside the 5,761-square-foot residence, space seems nearly limitless—an effect heightened by architectural elements like arched entryways and a floor-to-ceiling fireplace decorated with a larger-than-life gilded mirror.

Zillow Home in Greenville, SC

Omaha, Nebraska

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Omaha, NE

Built up from a pioneer town into the headquarters of four Fortune 500 companies, Omaha is full of surprises, this rare piece of real estate being one of them. The main floor incorporates an indoor solarium with a waterfall and pond, while a separate wing caters to DIYers and sports enthusiasts with a craft room, indoor basketball court, and exercise room. 

Zillow Home in Omaha, NE

Home at the Movies

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Home at the Movies

When you've finished working out, take a dip in the infinity hot tub or in-ground pool in the backyard, then go to the movies without ever leaving home by heading to the theater at the lower level, complete with a ticket booth!

Zillow Home in Omaha, NE

Cincinnati, Ohio

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Cincinnati, OH

In the early 20th century, Tudor-style homes like this property dotted entire street lengths of Cincinnati. A lingering reminder of that distant era, this extravagant 1921 estate is an example of what loving maintenance can do to preserve architectural integrity.

Related: What 11 Ordinary People Paid to Live in Your Favorite Movie Homes

Zillow Home in Cincinnati, OH

Historic Charm

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Historic Charm

The rugged stone facade and slate roof remain untouched by time, while the unmarred wooden floors and ornate fireplace surround in the 22-room interior appeal as much to modern homeowners as to residents of centuries ago.

Related: The 14 Best Governor’s Mansions in America

Zillow Home in Cincinnati, OH

St. Louis, Missouri

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St. Louis, MO

The owners of this custom-built residence in St. Louis made the grand ask that their house last a lifetime. Rising to the challenge, the architects opted for the timeless Foursquare style, with four grand rooms situated on each of the three 2,200-square-foot floors of the residence. 

Alise O'Brien Photography via Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design

Period Details

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Period Details

But while the exterior adheres to classic Foursquare elements, the interior playfully strays from tradition by incorporating ceiling-high archways, millwork, and period-specific hardware that turn the abode into a truly memorable place to call home.

Alise O'Brien Photography via Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design

Colorado Springs, CO

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Colorado Springs, CO

Set at the foot of the mountains of Colorado Springs, this Southwest-style home receives its fair share of sun and wind. 

Paul Kohlman via Solid Rock Custom Homes, LLC

Adobe Details

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Adobe Details

Weather is no match for this house, though, as residents keep cool and comfortable inside the adobe-clad living room under a hipped roof that features a combination of flat and Spanish tiles. Outside the pueblo look-alike, the convenient no-mow lawn features a small patch of green that's ideal for golfing on fair-weather days.

Related:  Such Great Heights: 15 Homes Built on the Top of the World

Paul Kohlman via Solid Rock Custom Homes, LLC

Kansas City, Missouri

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Kansas City, MO

To combat clutter in the main house, the owners of this 1930s-era stucco-and-wood property in Kansas City's Brookside neighborhood built out their backyard with a series of modern pavilions, including a garage and shed, which double as playhouses and stages for kids' theatricals. 

DRAW architecture + urban design

Bright and Airy Interior

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Bright and Airy Interior

The storage-smart backyard freed up room in the connected kitchen to entertain guests in a bright and airy space accented with white mosaic tiles and a domed pendant light.

DRAW architecture + urban design

Charlotte, North Carolina

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Charlotte, NC

Charlotte boasts a whopping 199 neighborhoods filled with stately homes, though this property sets itself apart in scale and style. On the sprawling exterior, a lone balcony and a series of archways illuminated by soft lights pique the curiosity of passersby. 

Carolina Design Associates, LLC

Southern Hospitality

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Southern Hospitality

The interior is no less alluring. In the living room, a vaulted ceiling lends a sense of drama that complements the regal chandelier, luxe cushions, and billowing curtains.

Carolina Design Associates, LLC

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