Cities are sturdy things. They tend to outlast the nations they are part of, and it is not historically uncommon for them to last for thousands of years. During their long lifespans, however, many will have periods of population growth and contraction in response to economic conditions. Across America’s Rust Belt, for example, are a number of cities that once were home to major manufacturing sectors, but which have now lost many of their factories, and the people that worked in them. This has had positive and negative effects on the community. The downsides have been general economic decline, joblessness, and an increase in crime rates. The population declines also eat away at the tax base of the city, making it harder for local government to maintain infrastructure and social programs. There are some positives, however, including reduced traffic congestion and lower housing costs. Here are five US cities where you can become a home owner even if you have only a modest income, in order of the number of homes available.

#6 South Bend, IN – Population 102,000

South Bend, hometown of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, is notable and attractive for a number of reasons. It has a low average house price, with more than a dozen livable homes currently for sale at under $50,000. It it a short drive from Chicago, Lake Michigan, and the Indiana Dunes National Park. South Bend is home to Notre Dame University, one of the top-rated colleges in the Midwest and one known for its top-tier football team. There are a variety of local attractions as well, such as the Studebaker Museum, the Potawatomi Zoo, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and an active farmers market located near the St. Joseph river. To be clear, South Bend is a small city. It doesn’t have a large downtown or an extensive public transit system. But it does have a small town feel with many of the amenities the modern home buyer looks for in a community. There are some high crime areas, but its mostly property crime and the crime rate is lower than many cities on this list, so nothing to be too concerned about. Also like many of the other cities on this list, winters can be pretty cold, so make sure any home you buy is well insulated! South Bend is rated at the bottom of this list as the lower population means a smaller housing market, and a limited number of cheap properties at any given time.

#5: Pittsburgh, PA – Population 305,000

The Steel City has the highest quality of living of any of the cities on this list, and is only rated near the bottom because it doesn’t have that many homes still priced under $50,000. Pittsburgh has made better progress than other rust belt cities in recovering from the manufacturing sector collapse of the late 20th century, and has a diversified economy and reasonable crime rates. You can still find over 100 houses, empty lots, and condos listed at under fifty grand in Pittsburgh. If you do find an old house listed in this price range in Pittsburgh, be prepared to do some work. The city has been recovering for over a decade, and all the best cheap stuff has been bought up by now. But if you don’t mind doing some of your own renovations, you can still find some good deals in a city that is reinventing itself. Pittsburgh could be the next Austin or Portland, and your cheap home could increase significantly in value if the city continues to grow.

#4: Saint Louis, MO – Population 315,000

The only city on the list arguably not located in the rust belt, Saint Louis is a centrally located city that borders the Midwest, great plains, and the south. From Saint Louis you are a 4 ½ hour drive each from Topeka, Chicago, and Nashville. In addition to the famous Arch, the city has a great restaurant scene and the stunning Missouri Botanical Garden, among other attractions. Saint Louis has lost a lot of population since the 1950s, more than half its peak population of 820,000, which means there are dozens of houses and lots available for under fifty thousand dollars. There are some reasons to avoid Saint Louis, including the muggy summers, high crime rate, and poor air quality, so make sure you know what your getting into before you start house shopping.  Oh, and this city has one of the highest police violence rates in the country, so just be aware that the law enforcement here is not known for being gentle.

#3: Buffalo, NY – Population 255,000

While it hasn’t made the strong recovery that Pittsburgh has, Buffalo also hasn’t sank into total disrepair that way that our top two cities have. Yet it still offers a good stock of cheap houses, as well as a well designed park system and a nice downtown area. One of the notable features of Buffalo are the tremendous amounts of snow they get every winter, so make sure you are up to shoveling that new driveway. When you aren’t getting buried in snow, you are a short drive from Niagara Falls, one of the most beautiful features in the northeastern United States. This also means you are close to the Canadian border, which might be a plus for those interested in cheap medications or weekend trips to Toronto.

#2: Cleveland, OH – Population 381,000

Cleveland is like Detroit, but less so. Dangerous, but not quite as dangerous. Cheap, but not quite as cheap. Cold, but not quite as cold. If Motown interests you but scares you, Cleveland might be worth a look. This city is known for its amazing views over Lake Eerie, the Indians and Browns sports teams, the rock and roll hall of fame, and a healthy stock of sub-$50,000 houses. This stock comes from decades of declining population, as Cleveland has been hit as hard as anyone by the decline of American manufacturing. You can find small homes listed for as little as $20,000, but these will be in pretty rough shape. You’ll want to be looking to spend at least forty grand unless you want a rough fixer-upper. You may learn to love this gritty town, which features some really beautiful 1920s and 1930s architecture as well as some awesome steel bridges.

#1: Detroit, MI – Population 675,000

Perhaps nowhere in America is as rich in cheap houses as Detroit. Indeed, the city is famous for them, with the Detroit Land Bank selling many homes for very small sums. At one point in 2018, the city owned about 30,000 abandoned homes through the Detroit Land Bank, and it puts them up for sale a few hundred at a time through their website. Many of these homes are being sold for as little at $1000, though you must agree to make the home livable (many at this low price point are not) within six months and occupy it for a certain length of time. Be aware that the repairs on some of these houses will run into the tens of thousands of dollars, as many of these properties have been abandoned for years. Water damage, fire damage, leaning foundations, rotting roofs, damaged wiring and more could suddenly be your problem if you buy one of these rock-bottom price homes. For a truly move-in ready house, you should look to spend upwards of $35,000, depending on the neighborhood. Speaking of neighborhoods, check out the crime statistics of the area you are thinking of buying. Detroit has some of the roughest neighborhoods in the country, and one of the highest violent crime rates nationally.