Rural Mortgages Rising, Says Realtor.com

The number of rural mortgages is rising as modern homesteads and off-grid living become more popular, according to Realtor.com, which defines the modern-day homesteader as “someone who embraces self-sufficient living in a rural setting.” 

This form of rustic living includes producing some amount of your own food, generating your own energy, reducing waste and incorporating sustainability into everyday life. Realtor.com notes that this traditional lifestyle has surged since the pandemic and has been further fueled by remote work policies. 

The proof of this trend is in the numbers: rural mortgage applications spiked 80% since the start of the pandemic, per a 2024 Fannie Mae report. 

Further, Realtor.com reports that from July 2019 to July 2025, list prices in the typical rural county grew 64%, highlighting the increased demand for countryside properties. 

Still, many rural properties remain more affordable than urban ones, adding to the countryside allure for some buyers on a budget. In July 2025, the median list price in the median rural county nationwide was $299,950, compared to $348,200 in the median metropolitan area county. That’s a 14% difference. 

“Homebuyers are drawn to far-flung communities for a wide variety of reasons,” Realtor.com’s article notes. “Some seek more privacy, while others want to put their survival skills to the test. For many families, it’s a priority to give their children a well-rounded upbringing away from the constant pull of screens.” 

For those looking to buy a home in a rural area, Pennsylvania offers a vast array of choices. From the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, here are some quick facts about rural living in Pennsylvania: 

• In 2023, nearly 3.37 million people (about 26% of Pennsylvania’s population) lived in the state’s 48 rural counties. 
• As of the same year, there were 1.61 million housing units in rural Pennsylvania. 
• In 2023, 346,799 people moved within or into rural Pennsylvania. Of those, 19% moved into rural Pennsylvania from an outside state.  
• The homeownership rate in rural Pennsylvania was 75%, compared to 67% for urban areas. 

Inspired to try the homestead lifestyle? Check out this JustListed article about a Realtor® who lives in a self-built home off the grid.