1. Bakersfield, California
Despite being in California, Bakersfield feels more like the Southwest of decades past, according to Aaron Steed of Meathead Movers. Many of the city’s single-story ranch homes still feature their original adobe-colored stucco, wrought-iron details, and wood-beam ceilings. These houses were often built in the ’60s and ’70s to beat the heat—think low roofs, big fans, and covered patios—and they’ve stuck to those roots. Even the landscaping leans retro: gravel lawns, cacti, and the occasional cement garden gnome.
Bakersfield’s cost of living remains relatively low for California, and that’s allowed homeowners to hang onto properties rather than renovate them into oblivion. The oil and agriculture economy keeps the culture grounded and practical. Here, the idea of a major home renovation is often met with a shrug—if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The result is a city dotted with homes that feel like they’ve been baking in the desert sun since 1978.
2. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh feels like a time capsule in the best way possible, according to John Tierney of The Atlantic. Many of the brick row houses and mid-century ranch homes haven’t changed much since steel was king and the Steelers first dominated the NFL. Walk through neighborhoods like Greenfield or Beechview and you’ll see wood paneling, original shag carpeting, and avocado-green kitchens that wouldn’t look out of place in a 1975 Sears catalog. It’s not just aesthetics—Pittsburgh’s homeownership rate is high, and many properties stay in families for decades.
What really cements the ’70s vibe is affordability. Despite rising prices nationally, the median home value here remains under $180,000—similar to inflation-adjusted values from decades ago. Combine that with a slower pace of gentrification and strong community roots, and you’ve got a place where it’s easy to feel like disco never died. You might even catch a neighbor firing up a charcoal grill in tube socks and sandals.
3. Buffalo, New York
In Buffalo, entire blocks look like they’ve been paused since the Carter administration. You’ll find ranch-style and split-level homes that still proudly wear their original vinyl siding, decorative stone facades, and wood-burning fireplaces. Homeowners here are fiercely loyal to their properties and often opt to maintain rather than modernize. Drive through South Buffalo or parts of Cheektowaga and you’ll see aluminum storm doors and decorative ironwork still going strong.
Buffalo’s economic stagnation post-industrial boom may have limited flashy new development, but it’s also preserved the city’s retro charm, according to Jessica Kelly of Thrillist. The median home price here is still under $200,000, allowing long-term residents to stay put and pass homes down through generations. Add in linoleum kitchens and popcorn ceilings, and it’s like stepping into a “Brady Bunch” rerun. And yes, some of those basement bars are still stocked with rotary phones and Schlitz signs.
4. Peoria, Illinois
Peoria offers a unique combination of mid-century suburbia and Midwestern practicality. Neighborhoods like The Knolls and Richwoods are full of homes built in the 1950s to 1970s, and many still feature original Formica countertops and built-in cabinetry. It’s not uncommon to find a Peoria home with a drop ceiling in the basement, a wood-burning stove, and a sunken living room—the kind you’d expect to find Fonzie hanging out in. There’s a strong DIY culture here, and homeowners often fix things themselves instead of doing complete overhauls.
The cost of living is low, according to Lilia Luciano of CBS News, and Peoria’s economy, centered around healthcare and manufacturing, has stayed steady enough that families haven’t needed to cash out. Many homes are passed from one generation to the next, along with vintage furniture and faded wallpaper. Even the yards feel retro—well-maintained, but more likely to feature a metal swing set and a clothesline than a landscaped fire pit. It’s a city that still values the simpler days.
5. Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton has its blue-collar roots planted deep, and its homes reflect that no-nonsense charm. Drive through the West Side or South Scranton, and you’ll spot homes with awnings, chain-link fences, and decorative concrete blocks—features that were cutting edge in 1973. Inside, many houses still boast their original tile bathrooms and wall-to-wall carpeting, often in deep forest green or burgundy. And yes, a surprising number of homes still have intercom systems and built-in 8-track players.
What’s kept things so unchanged is Scranton’s affordability and slow-paced housing market. Homes here regularly list under $150,000, and many owners see little need to modernize beyond the basics. Generational homeownership is strong, especially among the city’s Polish and Italian families. In Scranton, if it still works, why change it?
6. Toledo, Ohio
Toledo’s modest suburban neighborhoods were built for families during the postwar housing boom, and a lot of them have changed very little since. You’ll find classic split-levels with carports and original aluminum siding, as well as low-slung ranches that still have wood-burning fireplaces and pastel-colored bathrooms. Many of these homes were built in the ’60s and ’70s and still feature original light fixtures and built-in kitchen radios. Walk into a Toledo basement and you’re likely to see faux brick wallpaper and maybe even a pool table with a stained-glass Budweiser light overhead.
The average home price is just over $130,000, and with wages remaining relatively stagnant, there’s not a big market for teardown-and-rebuilds. Folks in Toledo value what they have, and there’s a kind of quiet pride in preserving the original look. Upgrades are typically small and practical—think new roofs, not open-concept kitchens. The result is a town where homeowners are happy living with a little retro flair.
7. Springfield, Missouri
Springfield has long been the kind of place where people settle in and stay put. The city exploded in the mid-20th century, and many homes built during that time still stand today with their original charm intact. Think arched doorways, colorful bathroom tiles, and plenty of built-ins. Homeowners here tend to value function over trendiness, and renovations are usually more about upkeep than reinvention.
Home prices are very reasonable—hovering around $200,000—which means people can afford to hold onto homes for generations. Many retirees here simply never felt the need to gut their houses or rip out that pink tile they installed back when Nixon was in office. It gives the city a consistent, old-school vibe that’s surprisingly comforting. In Springfield, vintage isn’t a trend—it’s just how things are.
8. Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie’s older homes tell the story of a city that once thrived on industry and manufacturing. Many of these houses—particularly in neighborhoods like Glenwood and Belle Valley—were built in the post-war boom and haven’t been heavily updated since. Inside, you’ll often find original cabinetry, textured ceilings, and wood-burning stoves. Outside, expect to see metal awnings, storm windows, and concrete steps with iron railings.
The median home price in Erie is around $150,000, and that low barrier to entry keeps homes in the hands of long-time residents. People here are more focused on maintenance than modernization. It’s not uncommon for a home to be owned by three generations of the same family, with only minor upgrades added over time. Erie might not be flashy, but it’s wonderfully consistent.
9. Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is another city where mid-century homes dominate the landscape. Whether it’s a cozy ranch with a stone fireplace or a Cape Cod with a pastel bathroom, many houses here wear their age proudly. Interiors often include parquet flooring, honey oak cabinetry, and those accordion-style room dividers you don’t see much anymore. Even the appliances—sometimes original—still work just fine, thank you very much.
Affordability is a big reason why these homes haven’t changed much. With a median home price under $160,000, there’s little pressure to tear things down or flip houses. Longtime homeowners often prefer to patch and paint rather than overhaul. And frankly, there’s something comforting about a home that still has the same wallpaper as your grandma’s house.
10. Youngstown, Ohio
Youngstown has gone through a lot since the decline of the steel industry, but many of its homes have remained almost untouched since the peak of its boom years. Ranch homes with low-pitched roofs, carports, and finished basements are still common here—many outfitted with faux wood paneling and shag carpets that haven’t seen a major remodel since bell-bottoms were in style. These homes were built solid, and families often take pride in maintaining them with their original quirks. If you step into one of these places, don’t be surprised to see mustard-yellow kitchen appliances still humming along.
The median home price here is under $100,000, which is rare in today’s market. That affordability, combined with a strong sense of family legacy, keeps people rooted. There’s not a huge push for gentrification, so homes tend to retain their vintage charm. If you’re nostalgic for a rec room with a working jukebox and lava lamp, Youngstown might be calling your name.
11. Wichita, Kansas
Wichita’s suburban sprawl tells a story of postwar expansion that hasn’t strayed too far from its roots. Many homes here were built in the ’60s and ’70s, and they’ve kept their original touches—think wood-paneled dens, terrazzo floors, and even sunken living rooms. Homeowners often hang on to their properties for decades, and remodels tend to be minimal. Walk through neighborhoods like College Hill or Orchard Park and you’ll see just how well-preserved these homes are.
With a median home price under $200,000, there’s little economic push to modernize everything to current design trends. Families pass homes down or buy from neighbors, creating a sense of continuity. That also means old light fixtures, mustard-colored kitchens, and rotary doorbells are still alive and well. In Wichita, the ’70s never really left—they just got better maintained.
12. Davenport, Iowa
Davenport sits along the Mississippi River with neighborhoods that haven’t changed much in decades. Its bungalows and split-levels are often still sporting their original stone fireplaces, linoleum flooring, and cedar closets. The architectural style of the homes hasn’t been swept up in modern trends, and that lends the city a kind of low-key charm. The streets are quiet, the houses are lived-in, and the vibe is unmistakably analog.
Davenport’s affordability plays a big role—home prices average around $160,000—and the city’s economy hasn’t seen the kind of tech-fueled transformation that tends to push modernization. People are content with what they have, and that often includes a working clothes chute and a basement bar. The local culture prioritizes practicality over polish. That means a lot of residents are still living in houses that feel like Don Draper could walk through the front door.
13. Evansville, Indiana
Evansville offers that small-town feeling with homes that haven’t rushed to catch up with the 21st century. Drive through areas like North Park or Howell and you’ll see single-story homes with vintage awnings, screen doors, and a whole lot of brick. Inside, the kitchens often feature patterned linoleum, metal cabinets, and that unmistakable harvest-gold palette. Many of the homes still have storm cellars and rotary phones hanging on the wall.
With home prices hovering around $160,000, families can afford to keep properties rather than flip them. A lot of residents grew up here and simply never left, leading to generational continuity that preserves the home’s original bones. There’s something comforting about walking into a house and seeing a functioning wall clock that’s been there since the Carter administration. In Evansville, the past is always welcome.
14. Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne might be one of the most underrated retro strongholds in the Midwest. A majority of homes built between the 1950s and 1980s are still standing—and largely unchanged. Split-levels with stone facades, wood-paneled dens, and even intercom systems remain surprisingly common. Homeowners here have a strong DIY ethic and often repair rather than renovate.
The city’s stable housing market means homes are affordable—often between $150,000 to $200,000—so there’s no frenzy to modernize everything. In fact, many locals prefer the throwback feel. You’re more likely to see a deep brown countertop and a ceiling fan from 1972 than a farmhouse sink. Fort Wayne has held on to its past, and it wears it proudly.
15. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids rounds out the list with neighborhoods that feel like a 1970s yearbook come to life. Homes here were built for big families and backyard barbecues, and they still reflect that sensibility—long driveways, brick facades, and two-tone kitchens included. Walk into one of these homes and you might find a rotary phone nook, a built-in china cabinet, and a rec room with a bar cart that hasn’t moved in 40 years. Even the smells—a mix of cedar, carpet cleaner, and maybe a little Aqua Net—feel nostalgically frozen in time.
Median home prices are under $190,000, and the low cost of living means people don’t need to upgrade for the sake of resale. The city has avoided the heavy churn of short-term buyers and flippers. That’s created a housing culture where tradition and familiarity rule. In Cedar Rapids, you don’t just remember the ’70s—you live them every day.
