Top 5 U.S Counties Where You Can Still Buy Land for ~$500 an Acre (2025)
Think land is unaffordable? Think again. Discover five U.S. counties where parcels have been listed at rock-bottom prices — sometimes near $500/acre — and learn the practical tradeoffs before you buy.
Top 5 U.S. Counties Where You Can Still Buy Land for ~$500 an Acre (2025)
Real dirt, real roads, real counties — and yes, real chances to own your own slice of America. Read the fine print before you pack the RV.
Photo suggestion (Pixabay): desert landscape — a visual for low-cost Southwestern land.
Yes — real land can still be found for next-to-nothing. Here’s how.
So you think land in America is too expensive — like, “guess I’ll just own houseplants and regrets” expensive. Well, hold onto your wallet, because there are still places where parcels have been listed for prices that work out to roughly $500 per acre (or close) — typically on remote rural listings, odd-sized parcels, or very small lots that get listed by owners who want a fast sale.
That doesn’t mean the land is turnkey. Often these bargains come with tradeoffs: limited access roads, no utilities, unclear mineral rights, or long distances to services. This guide walks you county-by-county — the real, on-the-map places where cheap land shows up — and then gives you a checklist so you don’t accidentally buy a rectangle of imagination instead of a usable property.
Note: live listings and prices change quickly. The examples below are supported by current land-listing sites and county market snapshots. Always verify each listing with county records and a local title search before you sign.
#5 — Cochise County, Arizona — Desert skies, solar potential
Photo suggestion (Pixabay): desert landscape for Cochise County context.
Welcome to the desert gem where open sky is the default background. Cochise County periodically hosts listings and private sales that — depending on parcel size and access — come in at very low per-acre prices. You’ll find washes, desert scrub, and broad views that make off-grid living and solar power realistic options.
The upside? Less humidity, fewer bugs, and permissive rural attitudes about alternative housing — container homes, tiny cabins, and solar arrays tend to be tolerated in many rural neighborhoods. The downside? Spotty cell service, long drives to grocery runs, and the need to plan your water strategy carefully.
Listings on mainstream sites show small-acre parcels and fractional-acre deals in Cochise and neighboring counties — sometimes in the low thousands for tens of acres, which can work out to low per-acre figures depending on the deal structure. Verify land access and road maintenance agreements before you bid.
Quick Cochise checklist
- Access: Confirm road maintenance and whether the “road” is a legal easement.
- Water: Is there a well permit, or will you rely on hauled water and tanks?
- Utilities: Plan for solar + battery — utility hookups may be miles away.
#4 — Costilla County, Colorado — Mountain views for dirt-cheap prices
Photo suggestion (Pixabay): mountain valley — a visual for Costilla County.
Costilla County is one of those places where the heart says “mountain homestead” and the wallet says “do it now.” Real listings across the county include small parcels and bargain tracts; some owner-finance or odd-lot deals price out at low per-acre numbers — especially for remote acreage that needs a serious DIY approach. LandWatch and other listing sites maintain large inventories here, so bargains appear when sellers want quick sales.
The lifestyle tradeoff: winter is real. Roads may need a 4x4 and some patience. But if you want true off-grid privacy, starry nights, and room for a tiny cabin or yurts, Costilla can deliver. Expect to haul some supplies, set up water storage or a well, and accept a slower life tempo.
Costilla buyer tips
- Seasonal access: Visit in winter and summer — access changes with snow.
- Permits: Check county building/septic rules; some parts have stricter septic/percolation requirements.
- Utilities & heat: Plan for winter heating; wood and propane are common.
#3 — Hudspeth County, Texas — Lone Star emptiness and low prices
Photo suggestion (Pixabay): far west Texas open land.
Vast, sparsely populated, and legendary for big skies, Hudspeth County often lists parcels at extremely low totals. Public land access, ranching history, and wide spaces mean you can find very affordable acreage, especially in remote pockets. Several land marketplaces show Hudspeth listings that work out to very low per-acre costs depending on the size and location of the parcel.
Hudspeth is the kind of county where a “neighbor” could be seen at dawn once per month. Zoning is minimal in many rural parts, so creative housing and small-scale farming are common. But plan for supply runs, vehicle maintenance, and limited local services.
Hudspeth's practical notes
- Internet & phone: Don’t count on consistent high-speed — satellite may be your friend.
- Local economy: Small towns, limited medical services; larger towns are hours away.
- Water & wells: Confirm well yield or investigate rain collection systems.
#2 — Sharp County, Arkansas — rolling hills and bargain parcels
Photo suggestion (Pixabay): green hills typical of parts of Arkansas.
If you prefer green fields over cacti, Sharp County is a prime example of affordable Mid-South land. Listings on multiple marketplaces show rural acreages, sometimes with achievable per-acre pricing for buyers willing to accept some distance from highways and utilities. Sharp County offers more vegetation, creeks, and a landscape that suits small farms, orchards, and gardens.
Expect strong community ties in small towns, simple county regulations in rural zones, and a lower cost of living. Floodplain and wet-area checks are essential here — some cheap parcels are low-lying and require drainage or careful siting for structures.
Sharp buyer checklist
- Flood risk: Check FEMA flood maps and local drainage history.
- Soil & agriculture: Test soil for gardening and orchard suitability.
- Access to services: Note proximity to a town with groceries and parts.
#1 — Luna County, New Mexico — Cheap desert acres and wide horizons
Photo suggestion (Pixabay): Southwestern desert with broad sky.
Tucked near the southern tip of New Mexico, Luna County is consistently mentioned on land marketplaces when searching for very low-priced parcels — small lots, odd-shaped parcels, and owner-dollar sales. The Halloween-perfect sunsets and quiet nights make it an appealing spot for people who want to vanish into the landscape and build slowly. Listings often include small parcels that, when calculated per acre, can match the low-per-acre price points buyers dream about.
Water rights, well access, and clear deed searches are the keys here. The region’s arid climate favors solar and water-conservative living, and county rules tend to be permissive in remote areas — but infrastructure and services are limited compared with more populated regions.
Luna must-checks
- Well permits & yields: Ask county offices for well logs and yield estimates.
- Mineral rights: Determine whether mineral rights are included or severed.
- Road access: Confirm whether a deeded easement or county road exists.
The catch — why “$500/acre” is not an automatic win
Let’s be blunt: cheap land exists, but cheap per-acre numbers often mask hidden costs. A bargain parcel can become expensive fast if:
- No legal access — you might buy unreachable land without crossing other private property; verify legal easements.
- No water or weak wells — hauling water or drilling a deep well adds up.
- Severed mineral rights — subsurface rights can allow third parties to drill or mine on your land.
- High insurance or flood risk — location matters for insurance availability and cost.
- Title issues: liens, old back taxes, or boundary disputes can complicate transfers.
Practical example: a cheap-listed 10-acre plot for $5,000 might be $500/acre on the surface — but after a well, access road, septic, survey, and legal fees, the true cost per usable acre rises dramatically. Always run an estimated total cost of ownership before declaring victory.
Smart-due-diligence checklist
- Contact the county assessor & recorder to confirm legal parcel boundaries and outstanding liens.
- Request a title report and consider owner-finance risks.
- Physically visit the property (not just Google Earth) at different seasons if possible.
- Hire a local surveyor if access lines or corners are unclear.
- Check FEMA flood maps, well logs, and utility easements.
- Ask the listing agent for comparable recent sales to confirm the market.
Where we checked listings (examples & sources)
To compile this guide, we reviewed active listings and county market snapshots on major listing platforms and local county data. Example sources where low-dollar listings appear include Zillow, LandWatch, Land.com, and Landmodo — check the county pages for current inventory and price context. (Listing availability changes frequently; always verify the live listing page.)
For general guidance on affordable counties and cost-of-living context, we reviewed national affordability coverage and county tax data. Note that property taxes, insurance costs, and access to services vary greatly and strongly influence the total cost of homesteading.
Final thoughts — cheap land is a beginning, not the whole story
If you’re bold enough to chase a cheap parcel, congratulations — you already have the itch for freedom. These counties show that possibilities still exist for buyers who prioritize price and independence. But the real winners plan: they check legal access, verify water, order surveys, and budget for the work that turns raw dirt into a real homestead.
Looking for your next great read? Dive into our latest feature: “Top 5 Tax-Free & Freedom-Loving States in the USA (2025 Guide)” — an in-depth look at the most independent, off-grid-friendly, and tax-free states where freedom truly thrives.
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