CNBC looked at 400 U.S. metropolitan areas and ranked home price growth since 1998. While the average home value grew 154 percent from 1998 to 2022, in 15 markets, it only grew an average of 66 percent.
Fifteen worst cities to buy a home for return on investment and the average value growth:
1. Montgomery, Ala.: 59.6 percent
2. Springfield, Ill.: 61.4 percent
3. Peoria, Ill.: 61.7 percent
4. Bloomington, Ill.: 61.7 percent
5. Rockford, Ill.: 61.7 percent
6. Decatur, Ill.: 62.3 percent
7. Saginaw, Mich.: 63.5 percent
8. Kokomo, Ind.: 64.7 percent
9. Lawton, Okla.: 67.8 percent
10. Toledo, Ohio: 67.8 percent
11. Charleston, W.Va.: 69.3 percent
12. Cleveland: 69.4 percent
13. Kankakee, Ill.: 70.7 percent
14. Macon, Ga.: 70.7 percent
15. Bay City, Mich.: 71.2 percent
