10 Most Affordable Mountain Towns in the United States

Typical Home Value: $597,092

Located in the heart of Southern California, Big Bear offers some of the best outdoor activities in the region—from fishing and hiking to snowboarding and mountain biking, depending on the time of year. You’ll also fall in love with the dining scene, with several restaurants offering panoramic views at 70,000 feet above sea level.

Typical Home Value: $490,114

Set against the Beartooth Mountains, Red Lodge is a small town that offers winter sports and activities to its visitors and residents on Red Lodge Mountain. It’s also a scenic, two-hour drive away from Yellowstone Park along the Beartooth Highway. Though the town is mainly centered around mountain activities, there are gems, like cafés and bars, that anyone would find charming.

Typical Home Value: $449,123

Skiing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, rafting—the Pikes Peak region of Colorado has everything an outdoor thrill seeker could want. However, it also has some more chill attractions, like the beautiful Garden of the Gods park that both experienced hikers and beginners can enjoy, not to mention a myriad of museums.

Typical Home Value: $430,618

You wouldn’t know it, but Taos is home to several really incredible attractions: ski resort Taos Ski Valley, Unesco World Heritage Site Taos Pueblo, the stunning St. Francisco de Asis church, and the staggeringly beautiful landscape between the Rocky Mountains and the Rio Grande Gorge. It’s a thriving music scene, spiritual center, arts community, and natural wonder, all in one.

Typical Home Value: $378,934

There’s lots to do near Maggie Valley: Great Smoky Mountains National Park has black bears and stunning waterfalls, while the Cataloochee Ski Area has slopes and trails for more outdoor fun. It’s also located just 35 miles away from Asheville, so you can easily get some city time whenever you want.

Typical Home Value: $378,678

Ogden has plenty to offer when it comes to outdoor fun, especially in the wintertime. The town has three world-class ski resorts you can visit, and when you’re not shredding down the mountain or hanging out at the resort, you can warm up in a brewery or a cozy restaurant in town.

Typical Home Value: $286,036

Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs may be small in population, but it’s rich in adventure. The historic downtown is decorated with public art and has a range of pubs and nightlife. If you love a small-town vibe with easy access to water sports, caves, and trails, you should consider this little mountain town.

Typical Home Value: $251,026

You may know the word Roanoke from stories about the Lost Colony that you heard in history class—but it was actually in North Carolina, not Virginia. So you don’t have to worry about any bad vibes in this affordable mountain town. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains not far from the Appalachian Trail, it has numerous hiking and outdoor opportunities for you. If that’s not your vibe and you’d rather take in the scenery from afar, Roanoke is pretty cosmopolitan, with an array of great restaurants, local vineyards, and a symphony.

Typical Home Value: $142,666

About a two-hour drive from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, or Asheville, North Carolina, this quaint little Smoky Mountain town offers as much beautiful scenery as it does outdoor adventure and activities. Nearby Lake Santeetlah has a lovely waterfront. Between that and the mountain views, it’s a low-key place for a nature-centric home.

Typical Home Value: $110,828

Presidio is a small town a bit outside the Chinati Mountains, with the artsy destination of Marfa about 60 miles to the north and Mexico directly to the south. It’s an ideal desert escape if you love that landscape. The mountain range has a few notable peaks and is in a far corner of Big Bend Country—although a 1.5-hour drive will get you to the heart of it when you’re in the mood to visit.