This City Was Ranked the Midwest’s Top Hidden Gem for Homebuyers Thanks to Its Affordability, Livability, and Outdoor Recreation

Housing in the Midwest is selling fast, and a few markets in the region are especially popular with homebuyers.

In Wisconsin, the city of Wausau was ranked the top hidden gem housing market in the Midwest, according to data compiled by GOBankingRates. The city, which boasts a scenic location on the Wisconsin River in the central part of the state, was lauded for its high livability and average home value of $238,916, well below the statewide average home price of $335,546.

The average monthly mortgage in the city was $1,368 and the median household income was $61,877.

The city has a wealth of outdoor activities and arts and cultural events, according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, including downhill skiing at the Granite Peak Ski Area, cross-country skiing, the annual Art World craft and gift festival, and more.

Wausau came in at No. 3 on the list overall, only falling behind Lynchburg, Virginia, and North Tonawanda, New York.

“These hidden gems offer significantly lower home prices than their state averages, manageable mortgage costs and solid median incomes—along with strong livability ratings,” GOBankingRates wrote in its report. “From college towns to lakeside communities, these markets are quietly thriving and poised to attract savvy buyers in the months ahead.”

Another Wisconsin destination to make the list was the city of Superior, which came in at No. 23. Located on Lake Superior in the northwest of the state on the border of Minnesota, the city boasted an average home value of $225,498 and an average monthly mortgage of $1,291.

In addition, two other Midwestern states made the list. The city of Wyandotte, Michigan, came in at No. 10. Set on the Detroit River, Wyandotte was praised for its low average home value of $190,919 (compared to the statewide average of $259,881) and average monthly mortgage of just $1,093.

Ohio had two cities make the list: Sandusky, which ranking 11th, and South Euclid, which came in at No. 15. While the average home value in Ohio was $247,160, buyers could score a home in Sandusky for an average of just $145,974 or in South Euclid for an average of just $185,896. Sandusky sits in the north of the state along Lake Erie, while South Euclid is a suburb of Cleveland.

To determine the rankings, GOBankingRates drew on data from several sources, including Zillow, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Federal Reserve, and weighted the rankings to produce an overall score that reflects both affordability and livability.