Victorian architecture is an expression of the “More is more” philosophy of design, producing ornate, intricate homes that resemble giant dollhouses. The style is perennially popular and when preserved properly, results in feature-worthy dwellings.
Victorians were supercharged in the late 1800s by the development of steam-powered sawmills, which could mass-produce wood trim with ornate patterns quickly and cheaply, making complicated designs in bright colors available to everyday Americans.
Many classic Victorians are still standing, in almost every corner of the country. And many of these large vintage homes are deceptively affordable.
We turned up 10 Victorians on the market for less than $300,000—and they aren’t fixer-uppers, either. Many of the homes we’ve highlighted below have been lovingly updated, restored, and preserved, ensuring that these grand dames will have a bright future.
Get ready to dream about stained glass, fancy parlors, and idly sitting on the front porch, watching the carriages roll by.
637 Crescent Ave, Ellwood City, PA
Price: $224,000
Grove House: Built in 1891 by Captain Abraham C. Grove, this five-bedroom home has been fully restored. Many of the home’s original features remain, including two fireplaces, woodwork, pocket doors, and stained-glass windows. Recent updates include a new kitchen with quartz countertops, front and side porches, and a new bathroom in the main bedroom suite.
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518 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN
Price: $159,900
Boggs House:It was originally built in 1898 by the Boggs family, and much of this Victorian home’s original charm remains, including crystal door knobs, skeleton key entry, beveled glass windows, inlaid design hardwood floors, and oak woodwork. There is some work ahead for an enterprising buyer—the place is being sold as is. With four bedrooms and nearly 2,800 square feet, there’s no limit to what new owners could do with the property.
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15 Hillside Pl, New Britain, CT
Price: $235,000
Mitchell House: Built in 1888 for Charles E. Mitchell, the attorney who wrote the charter for the town of New Britain, this four-bedroom Queen Anne Victorian looks like a million bucks. And the asking price is way less than that! The 2,700-square-foot home sits on more than a half-acre, and highlights include hardwood floors, coffered ceilings, and pocket doors, plus ornate woodwork and trim.
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307 Seminary St, Lodi, WI
Price: $274,900
Backyard oasis: Built in 1910, this Victorian was recently fully restored by its current owners, who also made over the lovely backyard. The three-bedroom home is highlighted with maple cabinetry, a copper sink, wood floors, and ornate chandeliers. There’s a deck out back along with a pergola, a shed, and a carport.
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116 W. Main St, Manchester, MI
Price: $279,900
Main Street masterpiece: This quaint four-bedroom Victorian was built in 1902 and sits on the city’s main drag. It includes original crown molding, a full wall of pass-through cabinets, and an updated bathroom. The double lot boasts a lovely yard and a detached two-car garage.
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16 Alden St, Worcester, MA
Price: $229,900
Green Victorian: This adorable home has been fully updated with green, environmentally advanced features, including solar panels, Marmoleum and bamboo flooring, and VOC paint. The three-bedroom home sits across the street from Oread Castle Park, a 3-acre open space with basketball courts, picnic tables, and outdoor fitness areas.
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545 McGhee St, Jellico, TN
Price: $185,000
Jellico gem: Built in 1902, this roomy five-bedroom, over 2,600-square-foot home features original woodwork and hardwood floors. There’s also a wraparound porch, three fireplaces, stained glass, a grand staircase, and plenty of natural light. Surrounding the home are fruit trees and blueberry bushes, and there’s a park right across the street.
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980 NE 2nd St, Dufur, OR
Price: $259,000
Mount Hood views: With views of Mount Hood from the second floor, this Victorian offers plenty to get excited about. Built in 1904, much of the three-bedroom home has been updated, including the kitchen, covered deck, windows, and a new roof.
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213 E. Union St, Rockton, IL
Price: $265,000
Farmhouse fabulous: Located in historic Rockton, this pastel-hued Victorian has five bedrooms and more than 2,400 square feet. Sitting on a large lot, the home has been restored to capture its original magic, while offering modern comforts. There’s a full glass conservatory and a covered wraparound porch, as well as a finished basem*nt.
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201 Fountain Ave, Paducah, KY
Price: $154,000
Tucked away from it all: Built in 1881, this home features soaring ceilings, an ample front porch with leaded glass alcove, and gorgeous staircase. The upstairs could be a total master retreat, with a main bedroom suite and a sitting room or office. The central bathroom has been recently updated, and the home’s backyard is overlooked by a deck.
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Victorian architecture is a style of architecture that was popular during the Victorian era, which spanned from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. It is characterized by ornate and intricate designs, often referred to as the "More is more" philosophy of design. Victorian homes are known for their elaborate details, such as decorative trim, stained glass windows, and intricate woodwork. The style is still popular today, and many classic Victorian homes can be found throughout the country.
During the late 1800s, the development of steam-powered sawmills revolutionized the production of wood trim for Victorian homes. These sawmills could mass-produce ornate patterns quickly and cheaply, making intricate designs in bright colors available to everyday Americans. This led to an increase in the popularity of Victorian architecture, as these decorative elements could be incorporated into homes more easily.
Despite their grandeur, many Victorian homes are surprisingly affordable. In fact, there are still Victorian homes on the market today for less than $300,000. These homes have often been lovingly updated, restored, and preserved, ensuring that they have a bright future. Some examples of affordable Victorian homes include:
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637 Crescent Ave, Ellwood City, PA: This five-bedroom home, known as the Grove House, was built in 1891 by Captain Abraham C. Grove. It has been fully restored and features original fireplaces, woodwork, pocket doors, and stained-glass windows. Recent updates include a new kitchen with quartz countertops and new bathrooms. The price is $224,000.
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518 Lincolnway E, Mishawaka, IN: The Boggs House, originally built in 1898, retains much of its original charm, including crystal door knobs, beveled glass windows, and oak woodwork. This four-bedroom home offers nearly 2,800 square feet of living space. It is being sold as-is, allowing new owners to put their own touch on the property. The price is $159,900.
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15 Hillside Pl, New Britain, CT: The Mitchell House, built in 1888, is a four-bedroom Queen Anne Victorian with over 2,700 square feet of space. It features hardwood floors, coffered ceilings, pocket doors, and ornate woodwork and trim. The home sits on more than a half-acre of land. The price is $235,000.
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307 Seminary St, Lodi, WI: This Victorian home, built in 1910, has been fully restored by its current owners. It offers three bedrooms and highlights maple cabinetry, wood floors, and ornate chandeliers. The backyard has been transformed into a beautiful oasis with a deck, pergola, shed, and carport. The price is $274,900.
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116 W. Main St, Manchester, MI: This quaint four-bedroom Victorian home was built in 1902 and sits on the city's main street. It features original crown molding, pass-through cabinets, and an updated bathroom. The double lot includes a lovely yard and a detached two-car garage. The price is $279,900.
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16 Alden St, Worcester, MA: This adorable three-bedroom Victorian home has been fully updated with green, environmentally advanced features, including solar panels, Marmoleum and bamboo flooring, and VOC paint. It is located across the street from Oread Castle Park, offering outdoor recreational spaces. The price is $229,900.
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545 McGhee St, Jellico, TN: Built in 1902, this roomy five-bedroom home features original woodwork, hardwood floors, stained glass, and a grand staircase. The property is surrounded by fruit trees and blueberry bushes, with a park located right across the street. The price is $185,000.
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980 NE 2nd St, Dufur, OR: This Victorian home offers views of Mount Hood from the second floor. Built in 1904, it has been updated with a new kitchen, covered deck, windows, and roof. The home has three bedrooms and is priced at $259,000.
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213 E. Union St, Rockton, IL: Located in historic Rockton, this pastel-hued Victorian home has five bedrooms and over 2,400 square feet of space. It has been restored to capture its original magic while offering modern comforts. The home features a full glass conservatory and a covered wraparound porch. The price is $265,000.
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201 Fountain Ave, Paducah, KY: Built in 1881, this Victorian home features soaring ceilings, a front porch with leaded glass alcove, and a gorgeous staircase. The upstairs could be transformed into a master retreat, with a main bedroom suite and a sitting room or office. The central bathroom has been recently updated, and the backyard includes a deck. The price is $154,000.
These are just a few examples of the affordable Victorian homes currently on the market. Victorian architecture continues to captivate homeowners with its timeless charm and intricate details.
