:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TAL-wausau-wisconsin-MIDWESTHOUSEGEM0925-7eee1feccbf746379c9d3f125812e158.jpg "This city was ranked the Midwest’s top hidden gem for homebuyers thanks to its affordability, livability, and outdoor recreation.")
Homes in the Midwest are selling quickly, and some markets in the region are especially popular with home buyers.
In Wisconsin, the city of Wausau was ranked the top hidden gem real estate market in the Midwest, according to data collected by GOBankingRates. The city, which boasts a picturesque location on the Wisconsin River in the central part of the state, was praised for its high livability and median home value of $238,916, well below the statewide median home price of $335,546.
The median monthly mortgage in the city was $1,368 and the median household income was $61,877.
The city has a large number of outdoor activities and artistic and cultural events, according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourismincluding downhill skiing at Granite Peak Ski Area, cross-country skiing, the annual Art World crafts and gift festival, and more.
Wausau ranked third overall, behind only Lynchburg, Virginia, and North Tonawanda, New York.
“These hidden gems offer home prices significantly lower than 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 coming months.”
Another Wisconsin destination that made the list was the city of Superior, which ranked 23. Located on Lake Superior in the northwest of the state, bordering Minnesota, the city had a median home value of $225,498 and an average monthly mortgage of $1,291.
Additionally, two other Midwestern states made the list. The city of Wyandotte, Michigan, ranked No. 10. Located on the Detroit River, Wyandotte was praised for its low median home value of $190,919 (compared to the state average of $259,881) and its median monthly mortgage of just $1,093.
Ohio had two cities on the list: Sandusky, which ranked 11, and South Euclid, which ranked 15. While the median home value in Ohio was $247,160, buyers could get a home in Sandusky for an average of just $145,974 or in South Euclid for an average of just $185,896. Sandusky is located in the northern part of the state along Lake Erie, while South Euclid is a suburb of Cleveland.
To determine the rankings, GOBankingRates relied on data from multiple 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.
