Where Can You Afford to Buy a Mid-Century Modern House?
Finding a stunning mid-century modern home in America isn't hard. Finding one that fits in your budget, however, can be a little more challenging. Every week, we post a list of our favorite MCM homes on the market, and sometimes we come across some seriously inexpensive houses.
It made us wonder...what does it cost to buy a mid-century modern home in different cities across the United States? Check out our list of cities, their median home prices and whether or not it's possible to buy a mid-century modern home at that price point.
Bay City, Michigan
Median Home Price: $84,000
Can You Buy MCM at That Price: Yes!
Bay City, Saginaw and Midland are three neighboring cities in Michigan that offer some very affordable real estate. This 1954 Gold Medallion Home (complete with blueprints) has 2,186 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and sold for $79,900 in 2017.
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Median Home Price: $123,600
Can You Buy MCM at That Price: Yes!
Bartlesville, Oklahoma has a population of about 36,000, but it is home to a staggering number of mid-century modern homes. You'll find some incredible homes designed by Bruce Goff, and you'll also find reasonably-priced houses like this one that has 1,923 square feet, 3 beds, 2 baths and sold for $126,000 in 2017.
Akron, Ohio
Median Home Price: $140,000
Can You Buy MCM at That Price: Yes!
This 1958 home sold in Akron two years ago for $136,00. It has three bedrooms, four bathrooms, 2,300 square feet and a large lot.
Jacksonville, Florida
Median Home Price: $ 214,000
Can You Buy MCM at That Price? Yes! (Especially if you don't mind a fixer-upper)
The stunning 3,400 square foot Butterfly House by Architect Robert Broward was sold in Jacksonville in 2016 for just $104,260. There were plenty of renovation costs afterward (check out our photo tour of the house in 2018) but it was well worth the expense.
Chicago, Illinois
Median Home Price: $229,000
Can You Buy MCM at That Price: Yes - If You Head to the Suburbs
Although houses in the center of Chicago are tough to find at the price point of $229,000, heading out to the suburbs gives you a lot more choice. In 2018, this home in Wheaton, Illinois, sold for $225,000 and has 2 beds, one bath and just over 1,200 square feet.
Palm Springs, California
Median Home Price: $396,000
Can You Buy MCM at That Price: Yes!
Palm Springs is known for its mid-century modern architecture, so it is not hard to find incredible homes for sale in the area. Keep in mind that many homes at this price point are smaller, like this 1959 home designed by William Krisel that has 3 beds, 1 bath and 984 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $330,000.
Los Angeles, California
Median Home Price: $605,000
Can You Buy MCM at That Price: Sure - if you don't mind a commute.
Eager to snag a Neutra or an Eichler? So is everybody else in Southern California. Although $605,000 can definitely get you a beautiful MCM home in the LA area, you might have to drive a little to get there. This 1952 home in Monrovia sold for $662,000 in 2017 and has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,544 square feet and an amazing pool.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Median Home Price: $795,000
Can You Buy MCM at That Price: Yes - but it might be a fixer.
No surprise here - real estate in paradise is expensive. Plus, with limited land on the island of Oahu, there is a lot of redevelopment that brings down older homes. This beautiful home comes in over the median home price in Honolulu sold at $869,000 in 2017, but it is a 4 bed, 3 bath beauty that seems worth every penny.
New Canaan, Connecticut
Median Home Price: $1,234,000
Can You Buy MCM at That Price: Absolutely.
New Canaan is no place for homebuyers on a limited budget. It was home to the "Harvard Five," a group of architects including Philip Johnson, Marcel Breuer and John M. Johansen. Their legacy lives on in New Canaan, where you can buy a house like this 1958 showstopper with 2,160 square feet, four beds and three baths that sold in 2017 for $950,000.
Orinda, California
Median Home Price: $1,620,000
Can You Buy MCM at That Price: If you've got 1.6 million in the bank, you can!
Orinda, located close to Berkeley and a short distance from San Francisco, is an expensive place to buy a home. If $1.6 million is a price point you can handle, however, you can scoop up houses like this breathtaking 1958 home by Architect Roger Lee. With 3 beds, 2 baths and 1,946 square feet, the home sold in 2017 for $1,560,000.
Mid-century modern architecture is available at nearly every possible price point, making it incredibly accessible. From personal experience, you have to be ready to act fast when a great home hits the market. Sometimes that means putting in an offer before seeing the house and moving to Kalamazoo, Michigan! (Okay, maybe that's just us.)
