Best State to Live In: A Real-World Guide to Buying Property Online

Thinking about packing up and heading someplace new? House hunting from your laptop can make moving across state lines way less stressful—but also kind of overwhelming. Where do you even start with fifty states, each with its own quirks and perks?

Let’s face it: it’s not just about picking places with beaches or snow-capped mountains. You’ve got to sort through stuff like real estate prices, property taxes, safety, job markets, and, if you’re like me, whether the neighborhood is good for dogs (Rufus gets a say, too!).

Here's the interesting bit: while everyone’s heard about folks flocking to Texas and Florida, some of the fastest-growing states for homebuyers right now include the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Idaho. People are chasing more affordable homes, lower taxes, and space to breathe—not just the usual hotspots.

If you’re checking out homes online, you can dig into all sorts of info before setting foot in a state. Crime rates, walkability, school rankings, even how close the nearest dog park is. And don’t ignore those weird little fees and property rules—surprise HOA dues can be a real mood killer.

• What Makes a State the “Best” to Live In?
• Top States for Property Buyers in 2025
• How to Judge a State from Your Sofa
• Smart Tips for Online Property Shopping

What Makes a State the “Best” to Live In?

There’s no magic “best” button when it comes to picking a state—everyone’s looking for different things. If you care about the best state to live in, it really depends on your budget, job, family, and the lifestyle you want. Let’s break down the basics.

Affordable housing gets most people’s attention. Median home prices swing wildly between states. For example, in early 2025, the median price in California was around $785,000, while in Ohio, it was closer to $225,000. That’s a huge gap! Lower housing prices mean less stress for buyers, and that’s driving a lot of migration.

Now, think about the cost of living. It's not just about what you pay for a house—groceries, energy, and healthcare all add up. States like Tennessee and Texas don’t have a state income tax, so you keep more money in your pocket. But watch out for property taxes; Texas has some of the highest in the country.

Jobs and pay matter too. States like North Carolina and Utah are known for steady job growth, especially in tech and healthcare. If remote work is an option, you have a lot more freedom—but if you need to find a job locally, check out unemployment rates and growth in your field.

For folks with families, schools and safety go straight to the top of the list. Use local reports or tools like Niche, and don’t just trust one ranking. What looks great on paper sometimes misses smaller things, like how organized bus routes are or PTA involvement.

Sometimes lifestyle wins out. Do you need year-round sun to stay sane? Florida might call to you. Hate humidity and want lots of trails? Colorado or Oregon could fit. Pet owners (like me and Rufus) should also scope out parks, vets, and even city pet ordinances—some HOAs have weird pet rules.

Here’s a quick checklist to compare when narrowing down the best state to live in for you:

• Home prices and monthly payments
• Taxes: income, property, sales
• Job growth in your field
• Quality of local schools
• Crime rates and safety
• Healthcare access
• Lifestyle perks—parks, weather, community events

So, what really makes the best state to live in? It’s a combo of cash, comfort, and whatever fits your daily life. There’s no perfect answer, but with a little research, you’ll know which state feels right before you ever step over the border.

Top States for Property Buyers in 2025

If you’re scanning the map for the best state to live in and buy a house online this year, a few spots keep popping up in real estate circles—and not always the ones you might expect. Prices have cooled a bit compared to the chaos in 2021-2022, but some states still stand out if you want value, job access, and livable neighborhoods.

Texas never really left the spotlight, thanks to no state income tax and a steady stream of tech and business jobs around Dallas, Austin, and Houston. The housing market's cooled but steady, with median prices near $340,000 as of early 2025—which feels low compared to California’s average that’s hovering around $750,000.

Florida is another favorite, especially for those craving sunshine and no income tax. Miami and Tampa get the headlines, but check out spots like Ocala and Sarasota for better prices and less chaos. Just keep in mind, rising insurance costs from hurricanes are making the news lately. It’s smart to factor that into your budget.

Over the past year, North Carolina and South Carolina have climbed the charts for real estate shoppers—Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greenville are pulling in remote workers with affordable homes and strong job scenes. In the Midwest, Ohio and Indiana don’t get enough love: you can still find plenty of houses under $270,000, and big cities like Columbus and Indianapolis are seeing new tech jobs.

Want a wild card? Check Idaho. It exploded with Californians moving in for cheaper homes and calm neighborhoods. Boise used to be under the radar but now gets attention for being both affordable and outdoorsy—perfect if you like hiking or need a big backyard for pets.

Before you fall for a state, pay attention to property taxes and extra fees. For example, Texas has high property taxes even though there’s no income tax. Florida’s tempting with the sun, but don’t skip the fine print on windstorm insurance. Before you buy property online, compare these real costs—not just the sticker price on the house listings.

How to Judge a State from Your Sofa

So, you’re not getting on a plane just to check out every possible spot. Totally fine—you can actually figure out most big stuff about a best state to live in from your couch. Here’s how you can make sure your property hunt is smart and you’re not setting yourself up for nasty surprises.

First off, lock in your must-haves. Are you after affordable homes, low crime rates, good schools, or just somewhere warm for those winter blues? Sites like Zillow and Realtor.com show you up-to-date listings for almost any city, plus median prices and neighborhood info. For safety, check out public crime maps—most big cities and small towns have these online. Dayton, Ohio, for example, keeps a real-time crime dashboard on its city website. If schools matter to you, GreatSchools.org is a lifesaver for comparing districts.

• Check property taxes and state income tax. For example, Texas has no state income tax, but the property taxes are almost double those in Indiana. A quick table overview helps spot differences:

A lot of buyers forget about insurance—Florida’s rates can be double what you’ll find in the Midwest, thanks to hurricanes. Factor that in, along with HOA fees (sometimes hidden in the tiny print).

Don’t just stare at house photos, click around on Google Street View. You’ll see if the block looks well-kept, or if you’re getting a home next to a tire fire. I once almost moved to a place with a gorgeous online listing, but the virtual street tour showed a junkyard across the road—Rufus would not have approved.

Finally, read real reviews. Local Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and even YouTube home tours are loaded with stuff you won’t see on the main websites. You’ll know if a neighborhood is full of dog lovers, noisy teens, or just plain quiet. It saves you from headaches you’d never spot on a stats chart.

Investing a little time online helps you nail down your own version of the best state to live in—and makes buying property online way less stressful.

Smart Tips for Online Property Shopping

You can buy a house online these days, but you’ve got to know how to separate smart listings from not-so-great deals. Here are the things I always do before clicking that “contact agent” button—and trust me, I’ve seen enough bait-and-switch listings to fill a whole group chat.

First up: photos can lie. Wide-angle lenses make rooms look twice as big and bright. If the listing only has a handful of photos, big red flag. Go for properties that show every room and exterior angles. Don’t forget to look for things like water stains or cracked foundation—you might spot trouble even in the agent’s handpicked shots. And if you see the same furniture in 10 different listings, you’re probably dealing with virtual staging.

Next, dig into the numbers. Listings almost always give you square footage, taxes, and past sale history. Go beyond just asking the price—Google the property address to see if it’s been listed before at a wildly different price in the past year. Sites like Zillow and Redfin even let you see a home’s exact price history, so you know if the sellers are being realistic or just fishing for a dream payday.

And don’t forget local research. Best state to live in is about more than just the house—you want to know the cost of living, property taxes, insurance rates, and commute times. Here’s a quick look at how state taxes on property shake out in some popular states:

Online walkthroughs are amazing—schedule a virtual tour or ask for a live video call with the agent walking through on their phone. It’s way better than just a video edited to hide flaws. During the call, ask about smells, traffic noise, or even cell phone coverage—stuff you won’t see in photos.

Here’s a quick checklist for buy property online the smart way:

• Compare home values with recent sales nearby (sites like Redfin and Realtor.com have this feature).
• Look up the neighborhood’s walk score, crime stats, and school ratings using free public tools—I like GreatSchools, and City-Data.
• Check for HOA fees and community rules. These can be hidden until you’re already interested.
• Review flood and disaster risks on FEMA or local planning sites. Insurance spikes for zones prone to flooding or wildfires will kill your budget fast.
• Read online reviews of local real estate agents—bad ones can waste weeks of your time.

If you want to make an offer, always include a home inspection—even on a hot property. And if you’re planning a cross-country move, spend a weekend visiting your favorite neighborhoods for real before signing anything. The internet can tell you a lot, but nothing beats sniffing out the vibe in person (or letting your dog sniff a few trees, too).