Finding the cheapest land for homesteading can be a pain in the butt. Fortunately, some of the legwork on homesteading land costs has been done for you. Here’s a list of where you can find the cheapest land and some tips.
Cheapest land for homesteading
Here are the states ordered by least expensive price per square foot for real estate, starting with the most affordable according to research compiled by PortlandRealEstate.com:
- West Virginia – $133.72
- Mississippi – $142.00
- Ohio – $147.73
- Kansas – $150.37
- Arkansas – $152.00
- Louisiana – $152.44
- Indiana – $154.63
- Kentucky – $159.50
- North Dakota – $161.89
- Oklahoma – $162.33
- Missouri – $165.76
- Nebraska – $168.25
- Alabama – $168.29
- Pennsylvania – $174.65
- Michigan – $180.30
- Georgia – $181.00
- South Carolina – $182.87
- Illinois – $183.20
- Texas – $189.30
- New Mexico – $191.43
- Iowa – $195.81
- Wyoming – $199.46
- South Dakota – $199.99
- Minnesota – $200.66
- North Carolina – $202.96
- Wisconsin – $207.64
- Tennessee – $211.36
- Virginia – $218.00
- Maryland – $223.45
- Alaska – $225.15
- Delaware – $226.86
- Vermont – $234.88
- Utah – $239.14
- Nevada – $246.07
- Arizona – $252.78
- Connecticut – $260.28
- Maine – $261.59
- Idaho – $262.82
- Florida – $278.10
- New Hampshire – $278.31
- Colorado – $287.11
- Oregon – $302.36
- Montana – $309.35
- New Jersey – $310.26
- Washington – $315.38
- Rhode Island – $325.85
- New York – $416.33
- Massachusetts – $417.45
- California – $425.55
- Hawaii – $681.09
This list gives you a snapshot of how real estate prices differ dramatically across the United States, from West Virginia’s low of $133.72 to Hawaii’s high of $681.09 per square foot.
Finding the Cheapest Land for Homesteading
So you’re dreaming of your own slice of homesteading heaven, huh? Before you start scrolling through endless listings, let’s get real about what you actually need. Think about how much land you need, what kind of soil will make your tomatoes thrive, and whether you can actually dig a well there or add solar. Write it all down, alright?
Next, let’s talk money. Figure out what you can actually afford, and remember, the price of the land is just the start. You’ll have to build, plant and maybe even put up a barn. All those zeroes can add up pretty quickly, so be honest with yourself about your budget.
Now, where should you look? Big city lights aren’t shining on the cheapest acres. I can tell you that much. Think about places people aren’t flocking to but still have all the makings of a great homestead. A diamond in the rough, you know?
Some states are really keen to get folks to move to quieter parts. They’ve got grants, tax breaks and sometimes they’re even giving land away. Yep, you heard that right—free land!
Alright, so where do you find these hidden gems? Websites are your friend here—ones specifically made for rural land sales. Local ads and online auctions work, too. Ever think about a rural realtor? They’re like treasure hunters for homesteaders like us.
Don’t overlook auctions and foreclosures, either. You can score big with a piece of land that’s way under market value if you keep an eye out.
Once you find something that ticks your boxes, you’ll need to get up close and personal with it. Check the soil, see if you’ve got water rights, and make sure you can actually grow crops and keep animals there. And for goodness’ sake, make sure you can get to it in the winter if you’re anywhere near snow country.
Ready to make an offer? Get some pros on your side. A real estate lawyer can help you avoid the legal mumbo-jumbo pitfalls, and an inspector can make sure the land’s not gonna throw you any curveballs later.
Some final words of wisdom: be flexible. Maybe you can live without that beautiful pond if it means staying within budget. And take your time! Rushing just makes mistakes more likely. One more thing: talk to locals. Farmers and other homesteaders have been there, done that, and they’re full of good advice.
So there you go. Finding the cheapest land for your homestead doesn’t have to be like finding a needle in a haystack. Plan it out, do your research, and go snag that dream acreage. Homesteading is all about making do with what you got, and you got this!