Why does down payment vary across the U.S.?

Home prices vary widely; a 12% down payment scales with the local median. Owner financing often accepts less.

Yes, owner-finance deals commonly land in the 10-20% range. Conventional underwriting usually wants 20% to avoid PMI.

Can I find lower-down options?

Browse low-down-payment homes by city, many owner-finance and lease-option deals sit under 10%.

Buyer authority

Estimated owner-finance down payment by city

Down payments scale with home prices but flex by financing type. This ranks the U.S. cities by an estimated typical down payment on an owner-financed or low-down deal (12% of estimated median home value). This is a modeled directional comparison, not a survey of actual closings.

Last updated November 2026

Top 25 nationally

#	City	State	Est. typical down payment	Score
1	Lexington	MS	$12,000	96	View →
2	Keyser	WV	$11,800	96	View →
3	Yazoo City	MS	$12,100	95	View →
4	Clarksdale	MS	$12,700	95	View →
5	Booneville	MS	$12,600	95	View →
6	Louisville	MS	$12,600	95	View →
7	Forest	MS	$12,800	95	View →
8	Tylertown	MS	$12,800	95	View →
9	Aberdeen	MS	$12,800	95	View →
10	Indianola	MS	$12,800	95	View →
11	Collins	MS	$12,200	95	View →
12	Lumberton	MS	$12,500	95	View →
13	Magnolia	MS	$12,100	95	View →
14	Winona	MS	$12,600	95	View →
15	Bluefield	WV	$12,200	95	View →
16	Elkins	WV	$12,600	95	View →
17	Oak Hill	WV	$12,200	95	View →
18	Grafton	WV	$12,200	95	View →
19	Weston	WV	$12,200	95	View →
20	Chapmanville	WV	$12,500	95	View →
21	Point Pleasant	WV	$12,400	95	View →
22	Tallulah	LA	$13,700	94	View →
23	Ferriday	LA	$13,800	94	View →
24	Greenwood	MS	$13,700	94	View →
25	Brookhaven	MS	$13,200	94	View →

By state

Top picks within each state. Click through for the full state-level ranking.

Alabama

1. Evergreen$15,400
2. Haleyville$16,300
3. Monroeville$16,300

Full AL ranking

Alaska

1. Jber$37,800
2. Homer$39,600
3. Ketchikan$44,300

Full AK ranking

Arizona

1. Ganado$28,300
2. Eloy$29,900
3. Golden Valley$29,900

Full AZ ranking

Arkansas

1. Camden$14,400
2. Forrest City$14,400
3. Hope$14,400

Full AR ranking

California

1. Mendota$50,900
2. Mecca$51,200
3. Earlimart$50,900

Full CA ranking

Colorado

1. Clifton$40,600
2. Lamar$40,800
3. La Junta$41,000

Full CO ranking

Connecticut

1. Willimantic$30,500
2. Putnam$35,300
3. Bridgeport$36,100

Full CT ranking

Delaware

1. Laurel$31,700
2. Harrington$31,100
3. Seaford$31,900

Full DE ranking

Florida

1. Pahokee$27,200
2. Old Town$28,200
3. Crescent City$28,000

Full FL ranking

Georgia

1. Pelham$22,700
2. Sparta$22,800
3. Clarkston$23,600

Full GA ranking

Hawaii

1. Pahoa$60,600
2. Keaau$68,000
3. Waianae$94,200

Full HI ranking

Idaho

1. Payette$33,500
2. Jerome$34,700
3. Bonners Ferry$36,000

Full ID ranking

Illinois

1. East Saint Louis$19,700
2. North Chicago$19,700
3. Harvey$20,800

Full IL ranking

Indiana

1. Connersville$18,100
2. Lake Station$18,100
3. Paoli$18,000

Full IN ranking

Iowa

1. Keokuk$16,300
2. Charles City$17,400
3. Maquoketa$17,400

Full IA ranking

Kansas

1. Fort Riley$16,800
2. Parsons$17,400
3. Coffeyville$17,300

Full KS ranking

Kentucky

1. Manchester$14,500
2. Middlesboro$14,400
3. Barbourville$14,500

Full KY ranking

Louisiana

1. Tallulah$13,700
2. Ferriday$13,800
3. Bastrop$14,300

Full LA ranking

Maine

1. Houlton$29,400
2. Old Town$29,400
3. Belfast$29,800

Full ME ranking

Maryland

1. Princess Anne$31,400
2. Frostburg$33,100
3. Brooklyn$35,400

Full MD ranking

Massachusetts

1. Indian Orchard$44,000
2. Roxbury$44,900
3. Roxbury Crossing$46,600

Full MA ranking

Michigan

1. Hazel Park$17,400
2. Harrison$16,900
3. Ecorse$17,000

Full MI ranking

Minnesota

1. Virginia$24,600
2. Hibbing$26,400
3. Albert Lea$28,700

Full MN ranking

Mississippi

1. Lexington$12,000
2. Yazoo City$12,100
3. Clarksdale$12,700

Full MS ranking

Missouri

1. Mountain Grove$16,900
2. Doniphan$17,300
3. Ava$17,000

Full MO ranking

Montana

1. Browning$32,800
2. Libby$35,500
3. Hamilton$37,000

Full MT ranking

Nebraska

1. Lexington$18,200
2. South Sioux City$19,100
3. Scottsbluff$19,700

Full NE ranking

Nevada

1. Sun Valley$35,400
2. Laughlin$35,400
3. Yerington$35,600

Full NV ranking

New Hampshire

1. Berlin$36,000
2. Franklin$37,900
3. Claremont$39,000

Full NH ranking

New Jersey

1. Camden$39,600
2. Pleasantville$40,200
3. Atlantic City$42,100

Full NJ ranking

New Mexico

1. Sunland Park$20,500
2. Chaparral$21,700
3. Deming$22,200

Full NM ranking

New York

1. Monticello$33,100
2. Dunkirk$35,900
3. Herkimer$35,800

Full NY ranking

North Carolina

1. Maxton$22,300
2. Cherokee$22,800
3. Red Springs$23,500

Full NC ranking

North Dakota

1. Devils Lake$24,500
2. Jamestown$24,700
3. Grand Forks$26,000

Full ND ranking

Ohio

1. Nelsonville$16,400
2. Wellston$16,400
3. Uhrichsville$16,300

Full OH ranking

Oklahoma

1. Okmulgee$14,600
2. Stilwell$14,000
3. Broken Bow$14,600

Full OK ranking

Oregon

1. Ontario$35,400
2. Prineville$35,400
3. La Pine$34,600

Full OR ranking

Pennsylvania

1. Braddock$18,100
2. Sharon$19,900
3. Corry$20,000

Full PA ranking

Puerto Rico

1. Isabela$23,400
2. San Sebastian$23,200
3. Yauco$23,500

Full PR ranking

Rhode Island

1. Central Falls$32,800
2. East Providence$37,300
3. Woonsocket$39,700

Full RI ranking

South Carolina

1. Latta$20,000
2. Bennettsville$20,800
3. Dillon$20,600

Full SC ranking

South Dakota

1. Vermillion$22,100
2. Sturgis$23,400
3. Belle Fourche$23,600

Full SD ranking

Tennessee

1. Newport$22,600
2. La Follette$22,300
3. Mountain City$22,200

Full TN ranking

Texas

1. Roma$20,200
2. San Elizario$20,200
3. Crystal City$20,600

Full TX ranking

Utah

1. Richfield$42,000
2. Price$44,300
3. Moab$44,000

Full UT ranking

Vermont

1. Rutland$33,500
2. Bennington$34,900
3. Saint Johnsbury$35,600

Full VT ranking

Virginia

1. Coeburn$28,100
2. Bassett$28,300
3. Lawrenceville$28,300

Full VA ranking

Washington

1. Toppenish$44,400
2. Wapato$44,900
3. Newport$44,600

Full WA ranking

Washington D.C.

1. Washington$111,200

Full DC ranking

West Virginia

1. Keyser$11,800
2. Bluefield$12,200
3. Elkins$12,600

Full WV ranking

Wisconsin

1. Whitewater$24,600
2. Marinette$24,000
3. Antigo$23,900

Full WI ranking

Wyoming

1. Torrington$31,100
2. Riverton$32,800
3. Laramie$34,100

Full WY ranking

Methodology

Estimated down = 12% of estimated median home value (representative of owner-financed and low-down deals). Conventional loans typically require 20%; FHA can be 3.5%. Use as a directional comparison.

FAQ

Why does down payment vary across the U.S.?: Home prices vary widely; a 12% down payment scales with the local median. Owner financing often accepts less.
Is 12% realistic?: Yes, owner-finance deals commonly land in the 10-20% range. Conventional underwriting usually wants 20% to avoid PMI.
Can I find lower-down options?: Browse low-down-payment homes by city, many owner-finance and lease-option deals sit under 10%.