Think of your favorite holiday movie. Maybe it’s a scene from “Home Alone” in Illinois, or one of the dozens of Hallmark movies set in small New England towns (though many are filmed in Canada). You probably remember them for snow, romance, humor and festive miracles. You might even want to visit or live in the cities they depict.
But what are these places really like? If you were to move to one of these places today, could you afford to settle there?
Find out how affordable some of the most iconic movie cities really are. From timeless classics to contemporary hits, you might find yourself thinking a little differently while staying comfortable on your snowy journey.
1. “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) – Seneca Falls, New York
Median sales price: $260,000 Median household income: $54,400
This holiday classic is set in the fictional town of Bedford Falls. It is generally believed that the town was modeled after Seneca Falls in upstate New York. This town is a quiet, snow-covered hamlet full of small-town charm. The real-life town celebrates its ties to Hollywood with a dedicated museum and a major annual festival.
If you saw the movie’s quaint streets, string lights, and old-world charm and thought it was a lovely place to visit or live, you’re in luck. The median sales price in Seneca Falls is nearly half the national market price, similar to nearby cities like Rochester and Syracuse.
2. “Home Alone” (1990) – Winnetka, Illinois
Median sales price: $1,758,000 Median household income: $250,000
Some of you may remember the classic brick houses and snow-covered lawns from the world of “Home Alone.” There, Kevin learns how to fend off two clumsy robbers and outsmart the adults around him.
The movie is set in the real-life Winnetka, Illinois, which on the surface might seem like a great place to live. However, most people will find it difficult to buy it. Homes regularly sell in the millions in this exclusive area, and six-figure salaries are common. In fact, the fictional McAllister family’s real-life home, called “Home Alone House,” sold for $5.5 million in early 2025.
Overall, Chicago is relatively affordable, but its suburbs are often affluent and feature classic American architecture.
3. “A Christmas Story” (1983) – Cleveland, Ohio
Median sales price: $249,000 Median household income: $67,586
Although the film is set in 1940s Indiana, much of “A Christmas Story” was filmed in Cleveland, giving the city a permanent place in holiday movie history. This iconic home (now a museum) is tucked away in the Tremont neighborhood just minutes from downtown. Just like Ralphie dreamed, you can spend the night in a pink bunny suit and wake up with a Red Ryder BB gun.
For those looking to recreate the magic of Christmas, Cleveland is a very affordable place to live, consistently ranking as one of the most affordable large cities in the country.
4. “Elf” (2003) – New York, New York
Median sales price: $770,000 Median household income: $81,228
A more modern classic, “Elf” is all about discovering the magic of the Big Apple: towering Christmas trees, sparkling storefronts, and big-city holiday fun. It was filmed throughout New York City, giving it a real-world feel.
The Hobbs family home is located at 55 Central Park West, a landmark building adjacent to Central Park. It’s a great place for city living, but with studio apartments costing nearly $800,000, it’s probably out of reach these days. And overall, New York is one of the most expensive cities in the United States.
Many holiday movies have been set in New York over the years, including Miracle on 34th Street (1947), Scrooged (1988), and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992).
5. “Romance at Reindeer Lodge” (2017) – Jamaica, Vermont
Median sales price: $400,000 Median household income: $71,364
Vermont has produced many holiday movies over the years, almost all of which are set in fictional locations. “Romance at Reindeer Lodge” is one of the rare films set in a lodge in the real-life town of Jamaica, Vermont, even though it was actually filmed in Connecticut. This movie is filled with snowy scenes and rustic charm.
Jamaica is a rural, mountainous town in southwestern Vermont, surrounded by ski resorts, parks, and quaint B&Bs. Although relatively affordable, it is primarily home to part-time residents and remote workers. Buying a home costs about $400,000, which is slightly below national interest rates.
6. “Christmas in Conway” (2013) – Wilmington, North Carolina
Median sales price: $470,000 Median household income: $63,165
“Christmas in Conway” is a typical Hallmark movie: small-town charm, romantic acts, and a lovesick community. Filmed throughout the Wilmington area, we utilized its landmarks and coastal charm to bring the story to life.
In fact, Wilmington has been the setting for numerous other Hallmark movies, including “Christmas in Harmony” (2021) and “USS Christmas” (2020). This historic port town prides itself on its holiday spirit, especially along the Riverwalk. Trees, ships, and buildings are all decorated with thousands of lights, and events are held almost every day.
If the magic of movies makes you want to move, thankfully Wilmington is a relatively affordable place to buy a home. Median sales prices are slightly above the national average, and household incomes are roughly in line with costs.
7. “Biltmore Christmas” (2023) – Asheville, North Carolina
Median sales price: $450,000 Median household income: $78,996
Set in North Carolina’s Blue Mountains, “A Biltmore Christmas” follows a screenwriter who studies classic holiday movies and magically steps into their world. Filming took place at the famous Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
Biltmore Estate is a real-world escape to an era of romance and gilded luxury. The building was commissioned by businessman George Vanderbilt in the late 19th century, and today, at over 175,000 square feet, it is the largest privately owned residence in the United States. It can be visited year-round and is decorated with extravagance during the holiday season.
Buying a home in this area is also quite reasonable. Prices in Asheville are moderate for the area, with housing costs and incomes fairly balanced.
8. “Christmas at Dollywood” (2019) – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Median sales price: $555,000 Median household income: $53,839
“A Dollywood Christmas” is a Hallmark classic about new beginnings and unexpected romance. The film is set and filmed at the eponymous Dollywood Parks & Resort in Pigeon Forge, near Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains.
This film reflects reality in many ways. Dolly Parton plays the park owner as the resort prepares for the Smoky Mountains Christmas Festival, which is actually a beloved tradition in the area. She is a co-owner of reality. Additionally, as depicted in the movie, it does snow in Pigeon Forge, but it usually only lasts for a day or so.
Unfortunately, for people who want to move after watching the movie, it may be difficult to buy a house. Prices in Pigeon Forge are higher than major nearby cities such as Knoxville, with the median sales price being about $100,000 above the national average.
9. “Polar Express” (2004) – Durango, Colorado
Median sales price: $733,000 Median household income: $79,545
“The Polar Express” is a fantastical movie about childlike curiosity and belief in the impossible, and its ramifications also apply to the real world. You can actually ride the famous train. Running from mid-November through New Year’s, the train departs from Durango, Colorado, and takes passengers on a 75-mile journey to the “North Pole” (Silverton, Colorado).
While other “Polar Express” recreations are held all over the country, from Chicago to St. Louis, Durango’s recreation is iconic because of its snow, scenery, and magical destination.
However, buying a home in this winter wonderland may be difficult, as the median home sale price is nearly double the national average. Income is also far from affordable.
10. Most Other Holiday Movies – A Town in Connecticut
Median sales price: $278,000 to $2,238,000 Median household income: $41,972 to more than $250,000 Statewide median sales price: $460,000 Statewide median household income: $91,665
If there’s one state that’s synonymous with modern Christmas movies, it’s Connecticut. Over the years, 22 films have been filmed in the state, including “Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane” (2018), “One Royal Holiday” (2020) and “Noel’s Diary” (2022). “Christmas in Connecticut” (1945) was perhaps the first movie to bring the holiday spirit to the state.
It’s not hard to see why Hollywood prefers constitutional states. Historic towns like Stamford, Norwich, Hartford, and New London provide the perfect backdrop for a magical holiday, with their storybook architecture and snowy New England charm. In fact, take a tour of all 42 towns and villages in Connecticut that were filmed in holiday movies.
If you’ve fallen in love with the area’s colonial charm, you’ll be pleased to know that many areas of Connecticut, including Woodstock and Groton, can be enjoyed at low prices. On the flip side, Darien and Stamford are among the most expensive places to live, with prices and incomes well above the statewide median.
methodology
Housing market data is from Redfin as of November 2025. Income data was obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey Five-Year Estimates.
