The 10 best cities to buy your first home

Breaking into the housing market can be difficult, especially for beginners. But in some places it's more possible, and less stressful, than others.

A recent LendingTree study identified the best cities for first-time homebuyers, where down payments are typically lower and mortgages can be easier to secure.

The study ranked the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S., taking into account six factors: average down payment amount, average down payment percentage, number of buyers using an FHA mortgage, how much buyers are saving by using FHA loans, percentage of buyers with low credit scores and percentage of homes that are affordable for middle-income buyers.

Majority of the top cities are clustered in the Midwest, including Detroit, Michigan, and Columbus, Ohio. That's mostly due to the fact that the region is relatively affordable, says Tendayi Kapfidze, chief economist at LendingTree.

"First-time buyers are at a disadvantage to buyers who currently own a home as first-timers have no equity to assist with the down payment," he tells CNBC Make It. "Thus, lower priced areas, such as those in the Midwest, that require a smaller down payment in dollar terms afford first-time buyers more opportunity."

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Here's a closer look at the top 10 places.

Average down payment amount: $37,375
Average down payment percentage: 16 percent
Share of buyers using an FHA mortgage: 27.76 percent

Average down payment amount: $38,261
Average down payment percentage: 16 percent
Share of buyers using an FHA mortgage: 38.14 percent

Average down payment amount: $35,614
Average down payment percentage: 15 percent
Share of buyers using an FHA mortgage: 21.71 percent

Average down payment amount: $34,400
Average down payment percentage: 14 percent
Share of buyers using an FHA mortgage: 37.57 percent

Average down payment amount: $38,114
Average down payment percentage: 16 percent
Share of buyers using an FHA mortgage: 30 percent

Average down payment amount: $33,747
Average down payment percentage: 14 percent
Share of buyers using an FHA mortgage: 39.18 percent

Average down payment amount: $36,042
Average down payment percentage: 15 percent
Share of buyers using an FHA mortgage: 32.04 percent

Average down payment amount: $30,234
Average down payment percentage: 13 percent
Share of buyers using an FHA mortgage: 25.38 percent

Average down payment amount: $32,775
Average down payment percentage: 15 percent
Share of buyers using an FHA mortgage: 32.95 percent

Average down payment amount: $34,049
Average down payment percentage: 15 percent
Share of buyers using an FHA mortgage: 36.53 percent

These metro areas have other things going for them, too: Cincinnati is a top city for start-ups, Pittsburgh is among the country's best cities for millennials, and Oklahoma City boasts rising salaries and happy workers.

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