Ten Midwest cities offer homes under $250,000 with strong livability scores. Illinois leads with three cities: Bloomington ($216,436), Champaign ($211,014), and Peoria ($146,629). Other cities include Cedar Rapids, Iowa ($199,181); Appleton, Wisconsin ($241,171); Wichita, Kansas ($203,877); Springfield, Missouri ($208,223); St. Louis ($197,928); Des Moines, Iowa ($211,651); and Fort Wayne, Indiana ($204,049). These cities provide affordable housing and a low cost of living.