{"id":247600,"date":"2025-05-19T16:42:44","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T16:42:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/business\/real-estate\/why-are-houses-so-expensive-2025-data-shows-just-two-affordable-u-s-cities-for-buying-homes\/"},"modified":"2025-05-19T16:42:44","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T16:42:44","slug":"why-are-houses-so-expensive-2025-data-shows-just-two-affordable-u-s-cities-for-buying-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=247600","title":{"rendered":"Why Are Houses So Expensive? 2025 Data Shows Just Two Affordable U.S. Cities for Buying Homes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox\">\n<div class=\"textbox-content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>\ud83d\udcb8 Why are houses so expensive across the United States? \ud83d\udcb8<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Homes rightfully feel pricey to buyers in almost all of the country\u2019s 50 largest markets, as just two cities and one state have local median incomes high enough to affordably purchase the typical home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"#nationwide\">American Median Home Prices vs. Required Incomes<\/a> | <a href=\"#twocities\">Affordable Housing for Median Earners in Just Two Cities<\/a> | <a href=\"#states\">Most and Least Affordable States<\/a> | <a href=\"#insurancetax\">Homeowners Insurance and Property Tax Differences<\/a> | <a href=\"#method\">Methodology<\/a> | <a href=\"#faq\">FAQs<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>From the bustling streets of America\u2019s biggest cities to the quietest rural towns, the places people call home across the United States are as unique and diverse as the people who live there. So too are the incomes of American homeowners, with median earners in Massachusetts ($99,858) making nearly twice as much as those in Mississippi ($54,203).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As might be expected, the cost of housing tends to follow local incomes, with high-income areas typically offering pricier homes and vice versa. However, this relationship isn\u2019t the same everywhere. In some parts of the country, buying the typical house can be a relative bargain for median earners, while in others, these average-income households find themselves far from the dream of homeownership.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overall, just two of America\u2019s 50 largest metros offer median salaries that are high enough for those earning them to affordably buy a median-priced home: Detroit and Pittsburgh.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In addition, Iowa is the only state in the nation that\u2019s affordable on a statewide basis.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, although home prices remain the most significant factor in housing affordability, the differences in property tax and insurance expenses are growing in influence, creating wide gaps in necessary income between states with similarly priced homes.<\/p>\n<p>To find out more, Clever Real Estate analyzed data, including the average price of a home sold in each market, median household incomes, property tax rates, and homeowners insurance costs for these largest markets, and factored this against the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/real-estate\/what-is-the-28-36-rule\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">well-known 28% rule for home affordability<\/a>. This rule of thumb dictates that a household\u2019s housing costs shouldn\u2019t exceed more than 28% of its gross, pre-tax income.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Read on to learn more about the bleak housing affordability picture for median-earning Americans and which areas offer better opportunities for owning a typical home on a typical salary.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox\">\n<div class=\"textbox-content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udfd8 Statistics: Why Are Houses So Expensive?<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To afford the median-priced U.S. home of $438,000, homebuyers would need a household income of $123,226 \u2014 but are only making a median of $77,719, a difference of $45,507.<\/li>\n<li>Of the 10 most affordable cities when it comes to typical home prices and incomes, five are in the Midwest, two are in the South, and three are located in the Northeast.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The West is home to seven of the ten most <em>unaffordable<\/em> cities by median income and home price, with just two in the Northeast and one in the South.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>People making the local median income and putting 20% down could only affordably buy a home in two U.S. metro areas: Detroit and Pittsburgh.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Another seven cities are less than $15,000 short of the median incomes residents would need to buy a typical home: Philadelphia ($864 short), Cleveland ($1,564 short), Cincinnati ($2,492 short), St. Louis ($4,071 short), Indianapolis ($6,259 short), Louisville, Kentucky ($10,634 short), and Buffalo, New York ($12,452 short).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>On the flip side, the four least affordable cities are in California: San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li>Based on statewide median incomes, the most affordable states to buy a typical home with 20% down are primarily located in the Midwest: Iowa (98.6% of statewide median income needed), Indiana (104.1%), Ohio (107.1%), West Virginia (111.6%), and Missouri (111.9%).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Only Iowa is truly affordable by this metric.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>West Virginia offers the lowest absolute amount required to afford a typical home, where one can be affordably bought with a household income of $62,436.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>By the same metric on a citywide basis, Detroit remains in first place with a required income of $60,474 to buy the typical Motor City home, over $8,000 less than second-place Cleveland ($69,150).&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Homeowners insurance can have a dramatic effect on the required salaries in states with similarly priced homes. The median home in Delaware ($359,000) costs more than in Texas ($348,000), but the needed income to buy a typical home with 20% down rises from $90,446 in Delaware to $111,144 in Texas because of higher insurance costs.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Property taxes affect affordability in similar ways; West Virginia\u2019s median home price ($248,000) is similar to that of Louisiana ($251,000), but Louisiana has an estimated homeowners insurance of $3,468 on the median-priced home, compared to just $834 in annual premiums for the median-priced home in West Virginia.&nbsp; As a result, West Virginia is a much more affordable state in our rankings compared to Louisiana (No. 4 versus No. 11).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"infogram_0_7a959f1f-82db-47b4-9b12-f9ebce0e96eb\" data-type=\"interactive\"><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Rank<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Metro Area<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Median Household Income<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Median Home Sales Price, April 2025<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Income Needed With 20% Down<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Income Needed With 0% Down<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Income Gap to Afford Median Home With 20% Down<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Income Gap to Afford Median Home With 0% Down<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Actual Affordable Home Price, 20% Down*<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Actual Affordable Home Price, 0% Down*<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Annual Insurance Cost on Median-Priced Home<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>&#8211;<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>United States<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$77,719<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$438,000<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$123,226<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$147,602<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$45,507<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$69,883<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$276,247<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$230,627<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$3,400<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<td>Detroit, MI<\/td>\n<td>$72,574<\/td>\n<td>$195,000<\/td>\n<td>$60,474<\/td>\n<td>$71,326<\/td>\n<td>-$12,100<\/td>\n<td>-$1,248<\/td>\n<td>$234,018<\/td>\n<td>$198,413<\/td>\n<td>$2,343<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>Pittsburgh, PA<\/td>\n<td>$72,532<\/td>\n<td>$250,000<\/td>\n<td>$71,217<\/td>\n<td>$85,130<\/td>\n<td>-$1,315<\/td>\n<td>$12,598<\/td>\n<td>$254,617<\/td>\n<td>$213,005<\/td>\n<td>$1,046<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<td>Philadelphia, PA<\/td>\n<td>$86,867<\/td>\n<td>$290,000<\/td>\n<td>$87,731<\/td>\n<td>$103,870<\/td>\n<td>$864<\/td>\n<td>$17,003<\/td>\n<td>$287,144<\/td>\n<td>$242,529<\/td>\n<td>$1,213<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<td>Cleveland, OH<\/td>\n<td>$67,586<\/td>\n<td>$235,000<\/td>\n<td>$69,150<\/td>\n<td>$82,229<\/td>\n<td>$1,564<\/td>\n<td>$14,643<\/td>\n<td>$229,683<\/td>\n<td>$193,153<\/td>\n<td>$1,085<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>5<\/td>\n<td>Cincinnati, OH<\/td>\n<td>$77,844<\/td>\n<td>$294,000<\/td>\n<td>$80,336<\/td>\n<td>$96,698<\/td>\n<td>$2,492<\/td>\n<td>$18,854<\/td>\n<td>$284,879<\/td>\n<td>$236,677<\/td>\n<td>$1,357<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>6<\/td>\n<td>St. Louis, MO<\/td>\n<td>$78,224<\/td>\n<td>$273,000<\/td>\n<td>$82,295<\/td>\n<td>$97,488<\/td>\n<td>$4,071<\/td>\n<td>$19,264<\/td>\n<td>$259,494<\/td>\n<td>$219,054<\/td>\n<td>$2,220<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>Indianapolis, IN<\/td>\n<td>$77,947<\/td>\n<td>$310,000<\/td>\n<td>$84,206<\/td>\n<td>$101,458<\/td>\n<td>$6,259<\/td>\n<td>$23,511<\/td>\n<td>$286,957<\/td>\n<td>$238,163<\/td>\n<td>$2,028<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>8<\/td>\n<td>Louisville, KY<\/td>\n<td>$68,921<\/td>\n<td>$273,000<\/td>\n<td>$79,555<\/td>\n<td>$94,748<\/td>\n<td>$10,634<\/td>\n<td>$25,827<\/td>\n<td>$236,509<\/td>\n<td>$198,585<\/td>\n<td>$3,186<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>9<\/td>\n<td>Buffalo, NY<\/td>\n<td>$69,861<\/td>\n<td>$255,000<\/td>\n<td>$82,313<\/td>\n<td>$96,504<\/td>\n<td>$12,452<\/td>\n<td>$26,643<\/td>\n<td>$216,423<\/td>\n<td>$184,598<\/td>\n<td>$1,588<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>10<\/td>\n<td>Oklahoma City, OK<\/td>\n<td>$69,895<\/td>\n<td>$268,000<\/td>\n<td>$84,904<\/td>\n<td>$99,818<\/td>\n<td>$15,009<\/td>\n<td>$29,923<\/td>\n<td>$220,624<\/td>\n<td>$187,659<\/td>\n<td>$4,852<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>11<\/td>\n<td>Kansas City, MO<\/td>\n<td>$79,842<\/td>\n<td>$330,000<\/td>\n<td>$94,982<\/td>\n<td>$113,347<\/td>\n<td>$15,140<\/td>\n<td>$33,505<\/td>\n<td>$277,398<\/td>\n<td>$232,453<\/td>\n<td>$2,684<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>12<\/td>\n<td>Birmingham, AL<\/td>\n<td>$69,284<\/td>\n<td>$315,000<\/td>\n<td>$85,429<\/td>\n<td>$102,959<\/td>\n<td>$16,145<\/td>\n<td>$33,675<\/td>\n<td>$255,470<\/td>\n<td>$211,973<\/td>\n<td>$3,178<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>13<\/td>\n<td>Virginia Beach, VA<\/td>\n<td>$79,325<\/td>\n<td>$355,000<\/td>\n<td>$95,701<\/td>\n<td>$115,458<\/td>\n<td>$16,376<\/td>\n<td>$36,133<\/td>\n<td>$294,252<\/td>\n<td>$243,902<\/td>\n<td>$1,982<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>14<\/td>\n<td>Baltimore, MD<\/td>\n<td>$94,289<\/td>\n<td>$395,000<\/td>\n<td>$111,649<\/td>\n<td>$133,631<\/td>\n<td>$17,360<\/td>\n<td>$39,342<\/td>\n<td>$333,584<\/td>\n<td>$278,710<\/td>\n<td>$2,532<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>15<\/td>\n<td>Columbus, OH<\/td>\n<td>$77,390<\/td>\n<td>$337,000<\/td>\n<td>$95,177<\/td>\n<td>$113,932<\/td>\n<td>$17,787<\/td>\n<td>$36,542<\/td>\n<td>$274,019<\/td>\n<td>$228,913<\/td>\n<td>$1,607<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>16<\/td>\n<td>Memphis, TN<\/td>\n<td>$64,025<\/td>\n<td>$295,000<\/td>\n<td>$84,719<\/td>\n<td>$101,136<\/td>\n<td>$20,694<\/td>\n<td>$37,111<\/td>\n<td>$222,942<\/td>\n<td>$186,753<\/td>\n<td>$3,447<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>17<\/td>\n<td>Grand Rapids, MI<\/td>\n<td>$77,979<\/td>\n<td>$345,000<\/td>\n<td>$99,293<\/td>\n<td>$118,493<\/td>\n<td>$21,314<\/td>\n<td>$40,514<\/td>\n<td>$270,943<\/td>\n<td>$227,041<\/td>\n<td>$2,469<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>18<\/td>\n<td>Minneapolis, MN<\/td>\n<td>$95,102<\/td>\n<td>$400,000<\/td>\n<td>$117,547<\/td>\n<td>$139,808<\/td>\n<td>$22,445<\/td>\n<td>$44,706<\/td>\n<td>$323,621<\/td>\n<td>$272,093<\/td>\n<td>$3,604<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>19<\/td>\n<td>Richmond, VA<\/td>\n<td>$84,332<\/td>\n<td>$400,000<\/td>\n<td>$106,909<\/td>\n<td>$129,170<\/td>\n<td>$22,577<\/td>\n<td>$44,838<\/td>\n<td>$315,527<\/td>\n<td>$261,151<\/td>\n<td>$2,233<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>20<\/td>\n<td>Milwaukee, WI<\/td>\n<td>$77,006<\/td>\n<td>$347,000<\/td>\n<td>$100,075<\/td>\n<td>$119,386<\/td>\n<td>$23,069<\/td>\n<td>$42,380<\/td>\n<td>$267,009<\/td>\n<td>$223,820<\/td>\n<td>$1,447<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>21<\/td>\n<td>Atlanta, GA<\/td>\n<td>$86,505<\/td>\n<td>$400,000<\/td>\n<td>$109,760<\/td>\n<td>$132,021<\/td>\n<td>$23,255<\/td>\n<td>$45,516<\/td>\n<td>$315,251<\/td>\n<td>$262,095<\/td>\n<td>$2,585<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>22<\/td>\n<td>Raleigh, NC<\/td>\n<td>$96,096<\/td>\n<td>$441,000<\/td>\n<td>$120,069<\/td>\n<td>$144,612<\/td>\n<td>$23,973<\/td>\n<td>$48,516<\/td>\n<td>$352,949<\/td>\n<td>$293,049<\/td>\n<td>$3,014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>23<\/td>\n<td>San Antonio, TX<\/td>\n<td>$73,195<\/td>\n<td>$310,000<\/td>\n<td>$98,609<\/td>\n<td>$115,861<\/td>\n<td>$25,414<\/td>\n<td>$42,666<\/td>\n<td>$230,106<\/td>\n<td>$195,843<\/td>\n<td>$4,184<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>24<\/td>\n<td>Charlotte, NC<\/td>\n<td>$81,262<\/td>\n<td>$409,000<\/td>\n<td>$107,912<\/td>\n<td>$130,673<\/td>\n<td>$26,650<\/td>\n<td>$49,411<\/td>\n<td>$307,993<\/td>\n<td>$254,345<\/td>\n<td>$2,003<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>25<\/td>\n<td>Chicago, IL<\/td>\n<td>$87,071<\/td>\n<td>$370,000<\/td>\n<td>$118,197<\/td>\n<td>$138,788<\/td>\n<td>$31,126<\/td>\n<td>$51,717<\/td>\n<td>$272,564<\/td>\n<td>$232,126<\/td>\n<td>$3,161<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>26<\/td>\n<td>Houston, TX<\/td>\n<td>$79,463<\/td>\n<td>$340,000<\/td>\n<td>$115,194<\/td>\n<td>$134,115<\/td>\n<td>$35,731<\/td>\n<td>$54,652<\/td>\n<td>$234,539<\/td>\n<td>$201,449<\/td>\n<td>$6,046<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>27<\/td>\n<td>Las Vegas, NV<\/td>\n<td>$75,065<\/td>\n<td>$449,000<\/td>\n<td>$113,839<\/td>\n<td>$138,826<\/td>\n<td>$38,774<\/td>\n<td>$63,761<\/td>\n<td>$296,069<\/td>\n<td>$242,779<\/td>\n<td>$1,660<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>28<\/td>\n<td>Jacksonville, FL<\/td>\n<td>$77,044<\/td>\n<td>$370,000<\/td>\n<td>$115,831<\/td>\n<td>$136,422<\/td>\n<td>$38,787<\/td>\n<td>$59,378<\/td>\n<td>$246,101<\/td>\n<td>$208,956<\/td>\n<td>$6,671<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>29<\/td>\n<td>Phoenix, AZ<\/td>\n<td>$85,700<\/td>\n<td>$458,000<\/td>\n<td>$125,174<\/td>\n<td>$150,662<\/td>\n<td>$39,474<\/td>\n<td>$64,962<\/td>\n<td>$313,568<\/td>\n<td>$260,520<\/td>\n<td>$4,232<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>30<\/td>\n<td>Washington, DC<\/td>\n<td>$121,469<\/td>\n<td>$600,000<\/td>\n<td>$161,911<\/td>\n<td>$195,302<\/td>\n<td>$40,442<\/td>\n<td>$73,833<\/td>\n<td>$450,131<\/td>\n<td>$373,173<\/td>\n<td>$2,964<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>31<\/td>\n<td>Austin, TX<\/td>\n<td>$98,508<\/td>\n<td>$450,000<\/td>\n<td>$139,062<\/td>\n<td>$164,105<\/td>\n<td>$40,554<\/td>\n<td>$65,597<\/td>\n<td>$318,768<\/td>\n<td>$270,123<\/td>\n<td>$3,855<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>32<\/td>\n<td>Fresno, CA<\/td>\n<td>$71,140<\/td>\n<td>$418,000<\/td>\n<td>$112,172<\/td>\n<td>$135,434<\/td>\n<td>$41,032<\/td>\n<td>$64,294<\/td>\n<td>$265,097<\/td>\n<td>$219,564<\/td>\n<td>$2,332<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>33<\/td>\n<td>Nashville, TN<\/td>\n<td>$84,685<\/td>\n<td>$470,000<\/td>\n<td>$126,705<\/td>\n<td>$152,861<\/td>\n<td>$42,020<\/td>\n<td>$68,176<\/td>\n<td>$314,132<\/td>\n<td>$260,381<\/td>\n<td>$3,873<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>34<\/td>\n<td>Salt Lake City, UT<\/td>\n<td>$94,409<\/td>\n<td>$530,000<\/td>\n<td>$136,876<\/td>\n<td>$166,371<\/td>\n<td>$42,467<\/td>\n<td>$71,962<\/td>\n<td>$365,562<\/td>\n<td>$300,754<\/td>\n<td>$2,240<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>35<\/td>\n<td>Tampa, FL<\/td>\n<td>$72,743<\/td>\n<td>$370,000<\/td>\n<td>$116,256<\/td>\n<td>$136,847<\/td>\n<td>$43,513<\/td>\n<td>$64,104<\/td>\n<td>$231,514<\/td>\n<td>$196,679<\/td>\n<td>$6,671<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>36<\/td>\n<td>Orlando, FL<\/td>\n<td>$77,378<\/td>\n<td>$408,000<\/td>\n<td>$128,233<\/td>\n<td>$150,939<\/td>\n<td>$50,855<\/td>\n<td>$73,561<\/td>\n<td>$246,194<\/td>\n<td>$209,159<\/td>\n<td>$7,356<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>37<\/td>\n<td>Dallas, TX<\/td>\n<td>$86,860<\/td>\n<td>$425,000<\/td>\n<td>$138,791<\/td>\n<td>$162,443<\/td>\n<td>$51,931<\/td>\n<td>$75,583<\/td>\n<td>$265,978<\/td>\n<td>$227,252<\/td>\n<td>$5,849<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>38<\/td>\n<td>Portland, OR<\/td>\n<td>$94,925<\/td>\n<td>$559,000<\/td>\n<td>$147,663<\/td>\n<td>$178,772<\/td>\n<td>$52,738<\/td>\n<td>$83,847<\/td>\n<td>$359,353<\/td>\n<td>$296,821<\/td>\n<td>$1,906<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>39<\/td>\n<td>Providence, RI<\/td>\n<td>$83,330<\/td>\n<td>$485,000<\/td>\n<td>$142,700<\/td>\n<td>$169,690<\/td>\n<td>$59,370<\/td>\n<td>$86,360<\/td>\n<td>$283,218<\/td>\n<td>$238,169<\/td>\n<td>$3,786<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>40<\/td>\n<td>Sacramento, CA<\/td>\n<td>$94,992<\/td>\n<td>$590,000<\/td>\n<td>$159,312<\/td>\n<td>$192,146<\/td>\n<td>$64,320<\/td>\n<td>$97,154<\/td>\n<td>$351,797<\/td>\n<td>$291,681<\/td>\n<td>$3,292<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>41<\/td>\n<td>Denver, CO<\/td>\n<td>$103,055<\/td>\n<td>$600,000<\/td>\n<td>$168,958<\/td>\n<td>$202,349<\/td>\n<td>$65,903<\/td>\n<td>$99,294<\/td>\n<td>$365,967<\/td>\n<td>$305,577<\/td>\n<td>$7,144<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>42<\/td>\n<td>Riverside, CA<\/td>\n<td>$87,843<\/td>\n<td>$596,000<\/td>\n<td>$160,783<\/td>\n<td>$193,951<\/td>\n<td>$72,940<\/td>\n<td>$106,108<\/td>\n<td>$325,621<\/td>\n<td>$269,936<\/td>\n<td>$3,326<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>43<\/td>\n<td>Boston, MA<\/td>\n<td>$110,697<\/td>\n<td>$750,000<\/td>\n<td>$215,387<\/td>\n<td>$257,125<\/td>\n<td>$104,690<\/td>\n<td>$146,428<\/td>\n<td>$385,458<\/td>\n<td>$322,888<\/td>\n<td>$4,210<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>44<\/td>\n<td>Miami, FL<\/td>\n<td>$76,271<\/td>\n<td>$590,000<\/td>\n<td>$188,008<\/td>\n<td>$220,842<\/td>\n<td>$111,737<\/td>\n<td>$144,571<\/td>\n<td>$239,352<\/td>\n<td>$203,765<\/td>\n<td>$10,638<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>45<\/td>\n<td>Seattle, WA<\/td>\n<td>$110,744<\/td>\n<td>$850,000<\/td>\n<td>$230,379<\/td>\n<td>$277,683<\/td>\n<td>$119,635<\/td>\n<td>$166,939<\/td>\n<td>$408,598<\/td>\n<td>$338,993<\/td>\n<td>$4,242<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>46<\/td>\n<td>New York, NY<\/td>\n<td>$95,220<\/td>\n<td>$765,000<\/td>\n<td>$233,455<\/td>\n<td>$276,029<\/td>\n<td>$138,235<\/td>\n<td>$180,809<\/td>\n<td>$312,022<\/td>\n<td>$263,898<\/td>\n<td>$4,763<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>47<\/td>\n<td>San Diego, CA<\/td>\n<td>$103,674<\/td>\n<td>$920,000<\/td>\n<td>$246,134<\/td>\n<td>$297,333<\/td>\n<td>$142,460<\/td>\n<td>$193,659<\/td>\n<td>$387,513<\/td>\n<td>$320,786<\/td>\n<td>$5,134<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>48<\/td>\n<td>Los Angeles, CA<\/td>\n<td>$91,960<\/td>\n<td>$905,000<\/td>\n<td>$241,149<\/td>\n<td>$291,514<\/td>\n<td>$149,189<\/td>\n<td>$199,554<\/td>\n<td>$345,113<\/td>\n<td>$285,489<\/td>\n<td>$4,959<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>49<\/td>\n<td>San Francisco, CA<\/td>\n<td>$127,792<\/td>\n<td>$1,550,000<\/td>\n<td>$415,871<\/td>\n<td>$502,130<\/td>\n<td>$288,079<\/td>\n<td>$374,338<\/td>\n<td>$476,296<\/td>\n<td>$394,475<\/td>\n<td>$8,649<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>50<\/td>\n<td>San Jose, CA<\/td>\n<td>$153,202<\/td>\n<td>$1,700,000<\/td>\n<td>$458,297<\/td>\n<td>$552,904<\/td>\n<td>$305,095<\/td>\n<td>$399,702<\/td>\n<td>$568,285<\/td>\n<td>$471,046<\/td>\n<td>$9,486<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><em>*Using the 28% rule and typical state homeowners insurance and property tax rates.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nationwide\">Typical American Household Earns Just 70% of Income Required to Afford Median-Priced Home<\/h2>\n<p>Although it\u2019s obvious that there are profound differences in the cost of housing between different cities and states, it\u2019s critical to recognize that the nation overall faces significant affordability issues.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>To afford the median-priced U.S. home of $438,000, homebuyers would need a household income of $123,226.<\/strong> This is based on a metric of 28% of income spent on total housing costs, with 20% down and a 6.65% mortgage rate, plus nationwide averages for home insurance and property taxes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>However, the median household is only making $77,719 per year, an astounding shortfall of $45,507.<\/strong> The typical earners in this household would need a roughly 59% raise to reach the income level required.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s worth considering that the median household income in the United States takes into account more than one earner; real median personal income in the United States is <a href=\"https:\/\/fred.stlouisfed.org\/series\/MEPAINUSA672N\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">just over $42,000<\/a>. <strong>For a person or household earning that amount and putting 20% down, they\u2019d only be able to affordably purchase a home that costs $145,000 to $160,000, <\/strong>a challenging thing to find these days in just about every medium and large housing market.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Household Income (National Data)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>House That Could Be Afforded With 20% Down*<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>House That Could Be Afforded With 0% Down*<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$30,000<\/td>\n<td>$106,633<\/td>\n<td>$89,023<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$40,000<\/td>\n<td>$142,177<\/td>\n<td>$118,698<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$50,000<\/td>\n<td>$177,722<\/td>\n<td>$148,372<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$60,000<\/td>\n<td>$213,266<\/td>\n<td>$178,047<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$70,000<\/td>\n<td>$248,810<\/td>\n<td>$207,721<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>$77,719 (U.S. median)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$276,247<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$230,627<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$80,000<\/td>\n<td>$284,354<\/td>\n<td>$237,396<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$90,000<\/td>\n<td>$319,899<\/td>\n<td>$267,070<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$100,000<\/td>\n<td>$355,443<\/td>\n<td>$296,745<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$110,000<\/td>\n<td>$390,987<\/td>\n<td>$326,419<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$120,000<\/td>\n<td>$426,532<\/td>\n<td>$356,093<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$130,000<\/td>\n<td>$462,076<\/td>\n<td>$385,768<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$140,000<\/td>\n<td>$497,620<\/td>\n<td>$415,442<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$150,000<\/td>\n<td>$533,165<\/td>\n<td>$445,117<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$160,000<\/td>\n<td>$568,709<\/td>\n<td>$474,791<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$170,000<\/td>\n<td>$604,253<\/td>\n<td>$504,466<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$180,000<\/td>\n<td>$639,797<\/td>\n<td>$534,140<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$190,000<\/td>\n<td>$675,342<\/td>\n<td>$563,815<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$200,000<\/td>\n<td>$710,886<\/td>\n<td>$593,489<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$210,000<\/td>\n<td>$746,430<\/td>\n<td>$623,164<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$220,000<\/td>\n<td>$781,975<\/td>\n<td>$652,838<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$230,000<\/td>\n<td>$817,519<\/td>\n<td>$682,513<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$240,000<\/td>\n<td>$853,063<\/td>\n<td>$712,187<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>$250,000<\/td>\n<td>$888,608<\/td>\n<td>$741,861<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><em>*Using the 28% rule and typical state homeowners insurance and property tax rates.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>For the actual median US household income of $77,719, with a 20% down payment, the median home price that would be affordable by that same 28% metric is $276,247<\/strong> \u2014 a nearly impossible-to-overcome difference of more than $160,000 compared to the actual median home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For these calculations, Clever used a full 20% down payment, the minimum amount many loans require to avoid extra costs like mortgage insurance. However, real-world data shows that\u2019s not always the case, especially for first-time buyers, who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/article\/mortgages\/average-down-payment-on-a-house\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">put down an average of just 9%<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Lower down payments translate into higher monthly payments, meaning these buyers are faced with even more stark unaffordability. For example, those lucky enough to qualify for 0% down payment loans, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/real-estate-blog\/first-time-homebuyer-programs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">those offered by the VA and USDA<\/a>, would need to earn $147,602 to affordably buy the median American home.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"twocities\">Just Two U.S. Cities Offer Truly Affordable Homes for Local Earners<\/h2>\n<p>With an increasing portion of America\u2019s population concentrated in big metros and their suburbs, the status of the 50 highest-population cities in the United States reveals a lot about the nation\u2019s housing affordability \u2014 and the news isn\u2019t good.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Using the 28% metric and a 20% down payment, people making the local median income can only affordably buy a home in two U.S. metro areas: Detroit and Pittsburgh.&nbsp;Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Cincinnati come close, missing on affordability by $2,500 or less in annual income, meaning a slight change in interest rates or a slightly more buyer-friendly local housing market would make them affordable.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Detroit<\/h3>\n<p>Those looking for truly affordable living better enjoy Motown music and <a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/research\/best-pizza-cities-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Detroit-style pizza<\/a>, as the Motor City offers a uniquely beneficial situation for budget-minded buyers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Although Detroit&#8217;s median income of $72,574 is only about $5,000 shy of the nationwide median ($77,719), homes there sell for a median of just $195,000, well under half of the national average of $438,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The area offers moderate property tax costs for the typical home at $1,809 annually, while Detroit\u2019s typical homeowners insurance premium of $2,343 is also relatively affordable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Detroit also stands out for its deep affordability in other ways. For example, residents earning the median metro salary could affordably buy a home as expensive as $234,018, nearly $40,000 more than the city\u2019s typical property.<\/p>\n<p>Those looking to affordably buy a home with 0% down need to start shopping here as well, as Detroit is the only major U.S. metro where a household earning the local median income could do so, clearing the bar by $1,248.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Pittsburgh<\/h3>\n<p>Pittsburgh provides a similar situation to Detroit, a few hundred miles southeast. The metro boasts a median income of $72,532, close to the national median. Although typical homes cost $250,000 ($55,000 more than in Detroit), that\u2019s still substantially lower than the nationwide level of $438,000.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Typical local household annual incomes clear the bar for purchasing the average home by $1,315.<\/strong> Put another way, with a 20% down payment, Pittsburgh\u2019s median household income would support purchases up to $254,617.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Philadelphia<\/h3>\n<p>Most people familiar with housing know the Northeast faces higher prices compared to the Midwest and South, a difficulty often moderated by the region\u2019s generally higher local incomes. However, Philadelphia offers the best of both worlds.<\/p>\n<p>The City of Brotherly Love has a median income of $86,867, nearly 12% higher than the national median ($77,719). However, the median home price of $290,000 is still far below the nationwide median \u2013 nearly $150,000 lower, a substantial sum that could make or break the prospect of homebuying for many.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The typical Philadelphia household earns just $864 less than would be required to affordably buy the area\u2019s median-priced home. Among the five most affordable cities, local incomes also support the highest affordable home price, $287,144.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4.&nbsp; Cleveland<\/h3>\n<p>Cleveland presents a common situation shared with many parts of the Midwest: lower-than-average incomes but appropriately lower home prices, too. Median earners in Cleveland bring home $67,586 per year (just 87% of the nationwide average), but that\u2019s nearly enough to buy the median home at $235,000.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Median household income in Cleveland is only $1,564 less per year than would be required, a difference of only about $130 each month.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5.&nbsp; Cincinnati<\/h3>\n<p>Rounding out the top five is Cincinnati, yet another Ohio city that exhibits the familiar phenomenon of reasonable salaries paired with very affordable homes.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, Cincinnati stands out in this regard by actually having a median household income ($77,844) that\u2019s higher than the national number ($77,719), while having a median home price that\u2019s more than $140,000 below the national median ($294,000 versus $438,000).<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Four More Cities Relatively Close to Affordability<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Another four cities are less than $15,000 short of the median incomes residents would need to buy a typical home:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>St. Louis ($4,071 short)<\/li>\n<li>Indianapolis ($6,259 short)<\/li>\n<li>Louisville ($10,634 short)<\/li>\n<li>Buffalo ($12,452 short)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Although the pickings are slim, those with a focus on making their salary stretch as far as possible housing-wise can at least take comfort in the fact that the most affordable cities based on local incomes are spread relatively widely across the country\u2019s central and eastern regions.<\/p>\n<p>Of the 10 most affordable cities when it comes to typical home prices and incomes, five are in the Midwest, two are in the South, and three are in the Northeast:&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Detroit, Michigan<\/li>\n<li>Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania<\/li>\n<li>Philadelphia, Pennsylvania<\/li>\n<li>Cleveland, Ohio<\/li>\n<li>Cincinnati, Ohio<\/li>\n<li>St. Louis, Missouri<\/li>\n<li>Indianapolis, Indiana<\/li>\n<li>Louisville, Kentucky<\/li>\n<li>Buffalo, New York<\/li>\n<li>Oklahoma City, Oklahoma<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">California Home to the Four Least Affordable Cities<\/h3>\n<p>On the flip side, the four <em>least<\/em> affordable cities in our study are in California: San Jose, San Francisco,  Los Angeles, and San Diego.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Typical households in those four California metros are each more than a jaw-dropping $100,000 shy of the median income required to buy the area\u2019s median-priced home \u2014 even with a 20% down payment.<\/strong> This is despite the fact that median earners in each city make significantly more than the national average. However, home prices are <em>even more <\/em>elevated, leading to this stark unaffordability.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Put another way, each of the bottom California cities requires more than twice the local median income to buy a typical home in the metro (with 20% down), ranging from 325% in San Francisco to 237% in San Diego.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>City<\/td>\n<td>Median Income<\/td>\n<td>Median Home Sales Price<\/td>\n<td>Household Income Required to Afford Median Home, 20% Down*<\/td>\n<td>Percentage of Median Income Required*<\/td>\n<td>Actual Affordable Home Price*<\/td>\n<td>Difference From Actual Median Home Price<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>San Jose, CA<\/td>\n<td>$153,202<\/td>\n<td>$1,700,000<\/td>\n<td>$458,297<\/td>\n<td>299%<\/td>\n<td>$568,285<\/td>\n<td>$1,131,715<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>San Francisco, CA<\/td>\n<td>$127,792<\/td>\n<td>$1,550,000<\/td>\n<td>$415,871<\/td>\n<td>325%<\/td>\n<td>$476,296<\/td>\n<td>$1,073,704<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Los Angeles, CA<\/td>\n<td>$91,960<\/td>\n<td>$905,000<\/td>\n<td>$241,149<\/td>\n<td>262%<\/td>\n<td>$345,113<\/td>\n<td>$559,887<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>San Diego, CA<\/td>\n<td>$103,674<\/td>\n<td>$920,000<\/td>\n<td>$246,134<\/td>\n<td>237%<\/td>\n<td>$387,513<\/td>\n<td>$532,487<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><em>*Based on median home price and median income; **Based on median income with 20% down, using the 28% rule.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Other cities with a six-figure income gap include New York ($138,235), Seattle ($119,635), Miami ($111,737), and Boston ($104,690).<\/p>\n<p>One thing California has going for it is relatively moderate property taxes, held in check by the state\u2019s sometimes-controversial <a href=\"https:\/\/assessor.lacounty.gov\/real-estate-toolkit\/proposition-13\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Proposition 13<\/a>, which limits increases for current homeowners. Supporters argue that it allows longtime owners to stay in their homes by maintaining rock-bottom assessments, while opponents contend that new buyers face sky-high taxes reflecting current prices, effectively subsidizing low rates on current owners. Therefore, the affordability picture can be significantly different for long-term vs. new homeowners in the Golden State.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not much better anywhere near California, either. The West is home to seven of the ten most unaffordable cities by median income and home price, with just two in the Northeast and one in the South:&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>San Jose, California<\/li>\n<li>San Francisco, California<\/li>\n<li>Los Angeles, California<\/li>\n<li>San Diego, California<\/li>\n<li>New York, New York<\/li>\n<li>Seattle, Washington<\/li>\n<li>Miami, Florida<\/li>\n<li>Boston, Massachusetts<\/li>\n<li>Riverside, California<\/li>\n<li>Denver, Colorado<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Although the Golden State faces widespread unaffordability, Miami stands out compared to Florida as a whole. For the state of Florida overall, median earners are $55,194 per year short of buying the typical home, while those making the median income in Miami are $111,737 below the necessary amount.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"states\">Residents of Midwestern States Have Best Chance of Affording Typical Local Home<\/h2>\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"infogram_0_70a4fde4-69c7-4494-984b-b9fe4fb4db1f\" data-type=\"interactive\"><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Rank<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>State<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Median Household Income<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Median Home Sales Price, April 2025<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Income Needed With 20% Down<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Income Needed With 0% Down<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Income Gap to Afford Median Home With 20% Down<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Income Gap to Afford Median Home With 0% Down<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Actual Affordable Home Price, 20% Down*<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Actual Affordable Home Price, 0% Down*<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Annual Insurance Cost on Median-Priced Home<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>&#8211;<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>United States<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$77,719<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$438,000<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$123,226<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$147,602<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$45,507<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$69,883<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$276,247<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$230,627<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$3,400<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<td>Iowa<\/td>\n<td>$71,433<\/td>\n<td>$239,000<\/td>\n<td>$70,436<\/td>\n<td>$83,737<\/td>\n<td>-$997<\/td>\n<td>$12,304<\/td>\n<td>$242,383<\/td>\n<td>$203,883<\/td>\n<td>$1,886<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>Indiana<\/td>\n<td>$69,477<\/td>\n<td>$267,000<\/td>\n<td>$72,302<\/td>\n<td>$87,161<\/td>\n<td>$2,825<\/td>\n<td>$17,684<\/td>\n<td>$256,567<\/td>\n<td>$212,828<\/td>\n<td>$1,547<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<td>Ohio<\/td>\n<td>$67,769<\/td>\n<td>$254,000<\/td>\n<td>$72,613<\/td>\n<td>$86,748<\/td>\n<td>$4,844<\/td>\n<td>$18,979<\/td>\n<td>$237,055<\/td>\n<td>$198,428<\/td>\n<td>$1,173<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<td>West Virginia<\/td>\n<td>$55,948<\/td>\n<td>$248,000<\/td>\n<td>$62,436<\/td>\n<td>$76,238<\/td>\n<td>$6,488<\/td>\n<td>$20,290<\/td>\n<td>$222,228<\/td>\n<td>$181,998<\/td>\n<td>$834<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>5<\/td>\n<td>Missouri<\/td>\n<td>$68,545<\/td>\n<td>$271,000<\/td>\n<td>$76,715<\/td>\n<td>$91,796<\/td>\n<td>$8,170<\/td>\n<td>$23,251<\/td>\n<td>$242,139<\/td>\n<td>$202,358<\/td>\n<td>$2,204<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>6<\/td>\n<td>Michigan<\/td>\n<td>$69,183<\/td>\n<td>$270,000<\/td>\n<td>$78,094<\/td>\n<td>$93,119<\/td>\n<td>$8,911<\/td>\n<td>$23,936<\/td>\n<td>$239,193<\/td>\n<td>$200,596<\/td>\n<td>$1,932<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>Delaware<\/td>\n<td>$81,361<\/td>\n<td>$359,000<\/td>\n<td>$90,446<\/td>\n<td>$110,424<\/td>\n<td>$9,085<\/td>\n<td>$29,063<\/td>\n<td>$322,941<\/td>\n<td>$264,512<\/td>\n<td>$1,154<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>8<\/td>\n<td>North Dakota<\/td>\n<td>$76,525<\/td>\n<td>$299,000<\/td>\n<td>$86,204<\/td>\n<td>$102,843<\/td>\n<td>$9,679<\/td>\n<td>$26,318<\/td>\n<td>$265,429<\/td>\n<td>$222,484<\/td>\n<td>$2,690<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>9<\/td>\n<td>Pennsylvania<\/td>\n<td>$73,824<\/td>\n<td>$306,000<\/td>\n<td>$85,694<\/td>\n<td>$102,723<\/td>\n<td>$11,870<\/td>\n<td>$28,899<\/td>\n<td>$263,615<\/td>\n<td>$219,913<\/td>\n<td>$1,280<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>10<\/td>\n<td>Oklahoma<\/td>\n<td>$62,138<\/td>\n<td>$251,000<\/td>\n<td>$76,590<\/td>\n<td>$90,559<\/td>\n<td>$14,452<\/td>\n<td>$28,421<\/td>\n<td>$203,638<\/td>\n<td>$172,227<\/td>\n<td>$3,868<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>11<\/td>\n<td>Louisiana<\/td>\n<td>$58,229<\/td>\n<td>$251,000<\/td>\n<td>$73,190<\/td>\n<td>$87,158<\/td>\n<td>$14,961<\/td>\n<td>$28,929<\/td>\n<td>$199,693<\/td>\n<td>$167,689<\/td>\n<td>$3,468<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>12<\/td>\n<td>Alaska<\/td>\n<td>$86,631<\/td>\n<td>$384,000<\/td>\n<td>$102,266<\/td>\n<td>$123,636<\/td>\n<td>$15,635<\/td>\n<td>$37,005<\/td>\n<td>$325,291<\/td>\n<td>$269,066<\/td>\n<td>$1,206<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>13<\/td>\n<td>Arkansas<\/td>\n<td>$58,700<\/td>\n<td>$267,000<\/td>\n<td>$74,352<\/td>\n<td>$89,211<\/td>\n<td>$15,652<\/td>\n<td>$30,511<\/td>\n<td>$210,792<\/td>\n<td>$175,683<\/td>\n<td>$2,762<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>14<\/td>\n<td>Kentucky<\/td>\n<td>$61,118<\/td>\n<td>$266,000<\/td>\n<td>$77,234<\/td>\n<td>$92,037<\/td>\n<td>$16,116<\/td>\n<td>$30,919<\/td>\n<td>$210,494<\/td>\n<td>$176,639<\/td>\n<td>$3,104<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>15<\/td>\n<td>Alabama<\/td>\n<td>$62,212<\/td>\n<td>$290,000<\/td>\n<td>$78,734<\/td>\n<td>$94,873<\/td>\n<td>$16,522<\/td>\n<td>$32,661<\/td>\n<td>$229,144<\/td>\n<td>$190,164<\/td>\n<td>$2,926<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>16<\/td>\n<td>Illinois<\/td>\n<td>$80,306<\/td>\n<td>$313,000<\/td>\n<td>$98,140<\/td>\n<td>$115,558<\/td>\n<td>$17,834<\/td>\n<td>$35,252<\/td>\n<td>$256,123<\/td>\n<td>$217,516<\/td>\n<td>$2,242<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>17<\/td>\n<td>Wisconsin<\/td>\n<td>$74,631<\/td>\n<td>$329,000<\/td>\n<td>$92,824<\/td>\n<td>$111,133<\/td>\n<td>$18,193<\/td>\n<td>$36,502<\/td>\n<td>$264,517<\/td>\n<td>$220,938<\/td>\n<td>$1,372<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>18<\/td>\n<td>Kansas<\/td>\n<td>$70,333<\/td>\n<td>$289,000<\/td>\n<td>$91,805<\/td>\n<td>$107,888<\/td>\n<td>$21,472<\/td>\n<td>$37,555<\/td>\n<td>$221,407<\/td>\n<td>$188,401<\/td>\n<td>$4,253<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>19<\/td>\n<td>South Dakota<\/td>\n<td>$71,810<\/td>\n<td>$317,000<\/td>\n<td>$93,495<\/td>\n<td>$111,137<\/td>\n<td>$21,685<\/td>\n<td>$39,327<\/td>\n<td>$243,475<\/td>\n<td>$204,827<\/td>\n<td>$3,282<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>20<\/td>\n<td>Minnesota<\/td>\n<td>$85,086<\/td>\n<td>$369,000<\/td>\n<td>$107,062<\/td>\n<td>$127,597<\/td>\n<td>$21,976<\/td>\n<td>$42,511<\/td>\n<td>$293,258<\/td>\n<td>$246,062<\/td>\n<td>$3,325<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>21<\/td>\n<td>Mississippi<\/td>\n<td>$54,203<\/td>\n<td>$268,000<\/td>\n<td>$76,217<\/td>\n<td>$91,131<\/td>\n<td>$22,014<\/td>\n<td>$36,928<\/td>\n<td>$190,594<\/td>\n<td>$159,401<\/td>\n<td>$3,082<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>22<\/td>\n<td>Maryland<\/td>\n<td>$98,678<\/td>\n<td>$449,000<\/td>\n<td>$123,313<\/td>\n<td>$148,301<\/td>\n<td>$24,635<\/td>\n<td>$49,623<\/td>\n<td>$359,299<\/td>\n<td>$298,761<\/td>\n<td>$2,501<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>23<\/td>\n<td>Nebraska<\/td>\n<td>$74,590<\/td>\n<td>$299,000<\/td>\n<td>$103,532<\/td>\n<td>$120,171<\/td>\n<td>$28,942<\/td>\n<td>$45,581<\/td>\n<td>$215,417<\/td>\n<td>$185,589<\/td>\n<td>$6,077<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>24<\/td>\n<td>Georgia<\/td>\n<td>$74,632<\/td>\n<td>$381,000<\/td>\n<td>$104,085<\/td>\n<td>$125,288<\/td>\n<td>$29,453<\/td>\n<td>$50,656<\/td>\n<td>$273,189<\/td>\n<td>$226,956<\/td>\n<td>$2,463<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>25<\/td>\n<td>North Carolina<\/td>\n<td>$70,804<\/td>\n<td>$382,000<\/td>\n<td>$102,816<\/td>\n<td>$124,075<\/td>\n<td>$32,012<\/td>\n<td>$53,271<\/td>\n<td>$263,063<\/td>\n<td>$217,990<\/td>\n<td>$2,610<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>26<\/td>\n<td>Wyoming<\/td>\n<td>$72,415<\/td>\n<td>$414,000<\/td>\n<td>$106,727<\/td>\n<td>$129,767<\/td>\n<td>$34,312<\/td>\n<td>$57,352<\/td>\n<td>$280,902<\/td>\n<td>$231,029<\/td>\n<td>$1,802<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>27<\/td>\n<td>South Carolina<\/td>\n<td>$67,804<\/td>\n<td>$381,000<\/td>\n<td>$102,828<\/td>\n<td>$124,031<\/td>\n<td>$35,024<\/td>\n<td>$56,227<\/td>\n<td>$251,228<\/td>\n<td>$208,281<\/td>\n<td>$3,254<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>28<\/td>\n<td>Texas<\/td>\n<td>$75,780<\/td>\n<td>$348,000<\/td>\n<td>$111,144<\/td>\n<td>$130,510<\/td>\n<td>$35,364<\/td>\n<td>$54,730<\/td>\n<td>$237,274<\/td>\n<td>$202,064<\/td>\n<td>$4,697<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>29<\/td>\n<td>Maine<\/td>\n<td>$73,733<\/td>\n<td>$408,000<\/td>\n<td>$110,207<\/td>\n<td>$132,913<\/td>\n<td>$36,474<\/td>\n<td>$59,180<\/td>\n<td>$272,968<\/td>\n<td>$226,336<\/td>\n<td>$1,593<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>30<\/td>\n<td>New Mexico<\/td>\n<td>$62,268<\/td>\n<td>$368,000<\/td>\n<td>$99,596<\/td>\n<td>$120,075<\/td>\n<td>$37,328<\/td>\n<td>$57,807<\/td>\n<td>$230,077<\/td>\n<td>$190,836<\/td>\n<td>$2,705<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>31<\/td>\n<td>Virginia<\/td>\n<td>$89,931<\/td>\n<td>$474,000<\/td>\n<td>$128,001<\/td>\n<td>$154,380<\/td>\n<td>$38,070<\/td>\n<td>$64,449<\/td>\n<td>$333,022<\/td>\n<td>$276,119<\/td>\n<td>$2,647<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>32<\/td>\n<td>Tennessee<\/td>\n<td>$67,631<\/td>\n<td>$392,000<\/td>\n<td>$105,895<\/td>\n<td>$127,710<\/td>\n<td>$38,264<\/td>\n<td>$60,079<\/td>\n<td>$250,355<\/td>\n<td>$207,590<\/td>\n<td>$3,297<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>33<\/td>\n<td>Arizona<\/td>\n<td>$77,315<\/td>\n<td>$441,000<\/td>\n<td>$117,037<\/td>\n<td>$141,579<\/td>\n<td>$39,722<\/td>\n<td>$64,264<\/td>\n<td>$291,326<\/td>\n<td>$240,826<\/td>\n<td>$3,343<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>34<\/td>\n<td>Connecticut<\/td>\n<td>$91,665<\/td>\n<td>$451,000<\/td>\n<td>$133,189<\/td>\n<td>$158,287<\/td>\n<td>$41,524<\/td>\n<td>$66,622<\/td>\n<td>$310,393<\/td>\n<td>$261,176<\/td>\n<td>$2,508<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>35<\/td>\n<td>Nevada<\/td>\n<td>$76,364<\/td>\n<td>$467,000<\/td>\n<td>$118,128<\/td>\n<td>$144,117<\/td>\n<td>$41,764<\/td>\n<td>$67,753<\/td>\n<td>$301,894<\/td>\n<td>$247,452<\/td>\n<td>$1,680<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>36<\/td>\n<td>Vermont<\/td>\n<td>$81,211<\/td>\n<td>$439,000<\/td>\n<td>$124,372<\/td>\n<td>$148,803<\/td>\n<td>$43,161<\/td>\n<td>$67,592<\/td>\n<td>$286,654<\/td>\n<td>$239,590<\/td>\n<td>$1,228<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>37<\/td>\n<td>New Hampshire<\/td>\n<td>$96,838<\/td>\n<td>$496,000<\/td>\n<td>$141,489<\/td>\n<td>$169,092<\/td>\n<td>$44,651<\/td>\n<td>$72,254<\/td>\n<td>$339,474<\/td>\n<td>$284,057<\/td>\n<td>$1,708<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>38<\/td>\n<td>Idaho<\/td>\n<td>$74,942<\/td>\n<td>$474,000<\/td>\n<td>$121,371<\/td>\n<td>$147,750<\/td>\n<td>$46,429<\/td>\n<td>$72,808<\/td>\n<td>$292,677<\/td>\n<td>$240,424<\/td>\n<td>$2,165<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>39<\/td>\n<td>Utah<\/td>\n<td>$93,421<\/td>\n<td>$563,000<\/td>\n<td>$143,275<\/td>\n<td>$174,607<\/td>\n<td>$49,854<\/td>\n<td>$81,186<\/td>\n<td>$367,098<\/td>\n<td>$301,225<\/td>\n<td>$2,380<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>40<\/td>\n<td>Florida<\/td>\n<td>$73,311<\/td>\n<td>$410,000<\/td>\n<td>$128,505<\/td>\n<td>$151,322<\/td>\n<td>$55,194<\/td>\n<td>$78,011<\/td>\n<td>$233,902<\/td>\n<td>$198,633<\/td>\n<td>$7,392<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>41<\/td>\n<td>Oregon<\/td>\n<td>$80,160<\/td>\n<td>$517,000<\/td>\n<td>$136,037<\/td>\n<td>$164,809<\/td>\n<td>$55,877<\/td>\n<td>$84,649<\/td>\n<td>$304,642<\/td>\n<td>$251,459<\/td>\n<td>$1,834<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>42<\/td>\n<td>Rhode Island<\/td>\n<td>$84,972<\/td>\n<td>$496,000<\/td>\n<td>$142,841<\/td>\n<td>$170,444<\/td>\n<td>$57,869<\/td>\n<td>$85,472<\/td>\n<td>$295,057<\/td>\n<td>$247,273<\/td>\n<td>$3,872<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>43<\/td>\n<td>New Jersey<\/td>\n<td>$99,781<\/td>\n<td>$549,000<\/td>\n<td>$164,731<\/td>\n<td>$195,284<\/td>\n<td>$64,950<\/td>\n<td>$95,503<\/td>\n<td>$332,540<\/td>\n<td>$280,514<\/td>\n<td>$2,189<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>44<\/td>\n<td>Montana<\/td>\n<td>$70,804<\/td>\n<td>$529,000<\/td>\n<td>$146,714<\/td>\n<td>$176,154<\/td>\n<td>$75,910<\/td>\n<td>$105,350<\/td>\n<td>$255,294<\/td>\n<td>$212,629<\/td>\n<td>$4,934<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>45<\/td>\n<td>Colorado<\/td>\n<td>$92,911<\/td>\n<td>$623,000<\/td>\n<td>$174,149<\/td>\n<td>$208,820<\/td>\n<td>$81,238<\/td>\n<td>$115,909<\/td>\n<td>$332,379<\/td>\n<td>$277,194<\/td>\n<td>$6,816<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>46<\/td>\n<td>Massachusetts<\/td>\n<td>$99,858<\/td>\n<td>$658,000<\/td>\n<td>$182,460<\/td>\n<td>$219,078<\/td>\n<td>$82,602<\/td>\n<td>$119,220<\/td>\n<td>$360,115<\/td>\n<td>$299,922<\/td>\n<td>$3,694<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>47<\/td>\n<td>Washington<\/td>\n<td>$94,605<\/td>\n<td>$663,000<\/td>\n<td>$177,319<\/td>\n<td>$214,216<\/td>\n<td>$82,714<\/td>\n<td>$119,611<\/td>\n<td>$353,730<\/td>\n<td>$292,803<\/td>\n<td>$3,353<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>48<\/td>\n<td>New York<\/td>\n<td>$82,095<\/td>\n<td>$573,000<\/td>\n<td>$166,080<\/td>\n<td>$197,968<\/td>\n<td>$83,985<\/td>\n<td>$115,873<\/td>\n<td>$283,240<\/td>\n<td>$237,617<\/td>\n<td>$3,568<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>49<\/td>\n<td>Hawaii<\/td>\n<td>$95,322<\/td>\n<td>$770,000<\/td>\n<td>$192,525<\/td>\n<td>$235,377<\/td>\n<td>$97,203<\/td>\n<td>$140,055<\/td>\n<td>$381,238<\/td>\n<td>$311,832<\/td>\n<td>$3,450<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>50<\/td>\n<td>California<\/td>\n<td>$95,521<\/td>\n<td>$856,000<\/td>\n<td>$229,008<\/td>\n<td>$276,646<\/td>\n<td>$133,487<\/td>\n<td>$181,125<\/td>\n<td>$357,044<\/td>\n<td>$295,562<\/td>\n<td>$4,776<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><em>*Using the 28% rule and typical state homeowners insurance and property tax rates.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>To be sure, life in the nation\u2019s 50 largest metropolitan areas isn\u2019t for everyone. Although those who prefer a suburban or rural lifestyle might expect the cost of living to be affordable, that\u2019s not always the case in many states.<\/p>\n<p><strong>On a statewide basis, just one state is affordable using the 28% standard and 20% down, using local incomes and median house prices: Iowa<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>However, there\u2019s not much room to spare, with Iowa median incomes reaching 98.6% of the amount required ($997 more than needed).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Alongside Iowa, most of the others in the top five are also in the Midwest: Indiana (104.1% of median income needed), Ohio (107.1%), West Virginia (111.6%), and Missouri (111.9%).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>All benefit from median home prices substantially lower than the national median ($438,000), ranging from $239,000 in Iowa to $271,000 in Missouri. Notably, they also earn top spots even as median incomes in each of these states remain under the national average.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The tax and insurance costs of these states are low, too.&nbsp;Indiana ($2,052), Iowa ($2,940), Missouri ($2,388), Ohio ($3,324), and West Virginia ($1,188) all provide savings to buyers with lower-than-average property tax costs compared to the nation overall ($3,803). Meanwhile, Ohio ($1,176), Indiana ($1,548), Iowa ($1,884), West Virginia ($840), and Missouri ($2,208) also offer lower homeowners insurance costs on a typical home than the national average of $3,400.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>More broadly, seven states come relatively close to affordability with income gaps under $10,000 on a 20% down, median-priced home purchase:&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indiana ($2,825)<\/li>\n<li>Ohio ($4,844)<\/li>\n<li>West Virginia ($6,488)<\/li>\n<li>Missouri ($8,170)<\/li>\n<li>Michigan ($8,911)<\/li>\n<li>Delaware ($9,085)<\/li>\n<li>North Dakota ($9,679)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Unfortunately for those without substantial savings, <em>no<\/em> state has a median income that supports payments on a median-priced home with a zero-percent down payment. Iowa is closest, at $12,304 per year (or over $1,000 per month) short.<\/p>\n<p><strong>On the other end of the spectrum, there\u2019s more geographic diversity in the least affordable states, which include California, Hawaii, New York, Washington, and Massachusetts.<\/strong> Median-earners in last-place California miss the mark for affordability by $133,487 with a 20% down payment on a typical home, over $30,000 more than No. 49 Hawaii ($97,203 short).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A total of 11 states have median incomes of more than $50,000 less than buyers would need to buy the typical home with a full 20% down payment:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>California: $133,487<\/li>\n<li>Hawaii: $97,203<\/li>\n<li>New York: $83,985<\/li>\n<li>Washington: $82,714<\/li>\n<li>Massachusetts: $82,602<\/li>\n<li>Colorado: $81,238<\/li>\n<li>Montana: $75,910<\/li>\n<li>New Jersey: $64,950<\/li>\n<li>Rhode Island: $57,869<\/li>\n<li>Oregon: $55,877<\/li>\n<li>Florida: $55,194<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>California would need to more than double its median income to 239.7% of current levels to reach affordability, the only state faced with such a profound predicament when putting down 20%.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>However, those taking out 0% down mortgages would need more than twice the median income to buy a typical home in ten states:&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>California (289.6%)<\/li>\n<li>Montana (248.8%)<\/li>\n<li>Hawaii (246.9%)<\/li>\n<li>New York (241.1%)<\/li>\n<li>Washington (226.4%)<\/li>\n<li>Colorado (224.8%)<\/li>\n<li>Massachusetts (219.4%)<\/li>\n<li>Florida (206.4%)<\/li>\n<li>Oregon (205.6%)<\/li>\n<li>Rhode Island (200.5%)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Based on current statewide household incomes and a 20% down payment, Mississippi would have the lowest price for a genuinely affordable home: $190,594, resulting from its last-place median income of $54,203.<\/strong> It\u2019s followed by Louisiana, where a median income of $58,229 could affordably buy a $199,693 home, and Oklahoma, where affordable homes would sell for $203,638, based on a $62,138 median household income.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Rank<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>State<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Median Household Income<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Median Home Sales Price, April 2025<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Actual Affordable Home Price, 20% Down*<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Actual Affordable Home Price, 0% Down*<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><strong>United States<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$77,719<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$438,000<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$276,247<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$230,627<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>50<\/td>\n<td>Mississippi<\/td>\n<td>$54,203<\/td>\n<td>$268,000<\/td>\n<td>$190,594<\/td>\n<td>$159,401<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>49<\/td>\n<td>Louisiana<\/td>\n<td>$58,229<\/td>\n<td>$251,000<\/td>\n<td>$199,693<\/td>\n<td>$167,689<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>48<\/td>\n<td>Oklahoma<\/td>\n<td>$62,138<\/td>\n<td>$251,000<\/td>\n<td>$203,638<\/td>\n<td>$172,227<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>47<\/td>\n<td>Arkansas<\/td>\n<td>$58,700<\/td>\n<td>$267,000<\/td>\n<td>$210,792<\/td>\n<td>$175,683<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>46<\/td>\n<td>Kentucky<\/td>\n<td>$61,118<\/td>\n<td>$266,000<\/td>\n<td>$210,494<\/td>\n<td>$176,639<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>45<\/td>\n<td>West Virginia<\/td>\n<td>$55,948<\/td>\n<td>$248,000<\/td>\n<td>$222,228<\/td>\n<td>$181,998<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>44<\/td>\n<td>Nebraska<\/td>\n<td>$74,590<\/td>\n<td>$299,000<\/td>\n<td>$215,417<\/td>\n<td>$185,589<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>43<\/td>\n<td>Kansas<\/td>\n<td>$70,333<\/td>\n<td>$289,000<\/td>\n<td>$221,407<\/td>\n<td>$188,401<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>42<\/td>\n<td>Alabama<\/td>\n<td>$62,212<\/td>\n<td>$290,000<\/td>\n<td>$229,144<\/td>\n<td>$190,164<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>41<\/td>\n<td>New Mexico<\/td>\n<td>$62,268<\/td>\n<td>$368,000<\/td>\n<td>$230,077<\/td>\n<td>$190,836<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>40<\/td>\n<td>Ohio<\/td>\n<td>$67,769<\/td>\n<td>$254,000<\/td>\n<td>$237,055<\/td>\n<td>$198,428<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>39<\/td>\n<td>Florida<\/td>\n<td>$73,311<\/td>\n<td>$410,000<\/td>\n<td>$233,902<\/td>\n<td>$198,633<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>38<\/td>\n<td>Michigan<\/td>\n<td>$69,183<\/td>\n<td>$270,000<\/td>\n<td>$239,193<\/td>\n<td>$200,596<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>37<\/td>\n<td>Texas<\/td>\n<td>$75,780<\/td>\n<td>$348,000<\/td>\n<td>$237,274<\/td>\n<td>$202,064<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>36<\/td>\n<td>Missouri<\/td>\n<td>$68,545<\/td>\n<td>$271,000<\/td>\n<td>$242,139<\/td>\n<td>$202,358<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>35<\/td>\n<td>Iowa<\/td>\n<td>$71,433<\/td>\n<td>$239,000<\/td>\n<td>$242,383<\/td>\n<td>$203,883<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>34<\/td>\n<td>South Dakota<\/td>\n<td>$71,810<\/td>\n<td>$317,000<\/td>\n<td>$243,475<\/td>\n<td>$204,827<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>33<\/td>\n<td>Tennessee<\/td>\n<td>$67,631<\/td>\n<td>$392,000<\/td>\n<td>$250,355<\/td>\n<td>$207,590<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>32<\/td>\n<td>South Carolina<\/td>\n<td>$67,804<\/td>\n<td>$381,000<\/td>\n<td>$251,228<\/td>\n<td>$208,281<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>31<\/td>\n<td>Montana<\/td>\n<td>$70,804<\/td>\n<td>$529,000<\/td>\n<td>$255,294<\/td>\n<td>$212,629<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>30<\/td>\n<td>Indiana<\/td>\n<td>$69,477<\/td>\n<td>$267,000<\/td>\n<td>$256,567<\/td>\n<td>$212,828<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>29<\/td>\n<td>Illinois<\/td>\n<td>$80,306<\/td>\n<td>$313,000<\/td>\n<td>$256,123<\/td>\n<td>$217,516<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>28<\/td>\n<td>North Carolina<\/td>\n<td>$70,804<\/td>\n<td>$382,000<\/td>\n<td>$263,063<\/td>\n<td>$217,990<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>27<\/td>\n<td>Pennsylvania<\/td>\n<td>$73,824<\/td>\n<td>$306,000<\/td>\n<td>$263,615<\/td>\n<td>$219,913<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>26<\/td>\n<td>Wisconsin<\/td>\n<td>$74,631<\/td>\n<td>$329,000<\/td>\n<td>$264,517<\/td>\n<td>$220,938<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>25<\/td>\n<td>North Dakota<\/td>\n<td>$76,525<\/td>\n<td>$299,000<\/td>\n<td>$265,429<\/td>\n<td>$222,484<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>24<\/td>\n<td>Maine<\/td>\n<td>$73,733<\/td>\n<td>$408,000<\/td>\n<td>$272,968<\/td>\n<td>$226,336<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>23<\/td>\n<td>Georgia<\/td>\n<td>$74,632<\/td>\n<td>$381,000<\/td>\n<td>$273,189<\/td>\n<td>$226,956<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>22<\/td>\n<td>Wyoming<\/td>\n<td>$72,415<\/td>\n<td>$414,000<\/td>\n<td>$280,902<\/td>\n<td>$231,029<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>21<\/td>\n<td>New York<\/td>\n<td>$82,095<\/td>\n<td>$573,000<\/td>\n<td>$283,240<\/td>\n<td>$237,617<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>20<\/td>\n<td>Vermont<\/td>\n<td>$81,211<\/td>\n<td>$439,000<\/td>\n<td>$286,654<\/td>\n<td>$239,590<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>19<\/td>\n<td>Idaho<\/td>\n<td>$74,942<\/td>\n<td>$474,000<\/td>\n<td>$292,677<\/td>\n<td>$240,424<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>18<\/td>\n<td>Arizona<\/td>\n<td>$77,315<\/td>\n<td>$441,000<\/td>\n<td>$291,326<\/td>\n<td>$240,826<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>17<\/td>\n<td>Minnesota<\/td>\n<td>$85,086<\/td>\n<td>$369,000<\/td>\n<td>$293,258<\/td>\n<td>$246,062<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>16<\/td>\n<td>Rhode Island<\/td>\n<td>$84,972<\/td>\n<td>$496,000<\/td>\n<td>$295,057<\/td>\n<td>$247,273<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>15<\/td>\n<td>Nevada<\/td>\n<td>$76,364<\/td>\n<td>$467,000<\/td>\n<td>$301,894<\/td>\n<td>$247,452<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>14<\/td>\n<td>Oregon<\/td>\n<td>$80,160<\/td>\n<td>$517,000<\/td>\n<td>$304,642<\/td>\n<td>$251,459<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>13<\/td>\n<td>Connecticut<\/td>\n<td>$91,665<\/td>\n<td>$451,000<\/td>\n<td>$310,393<\/td>\n<td>$261,176<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>12<\/td>\n<td>Delaware<\/td>\n<td>$81,361<\/td>\n<td>$359,000<\/td>\n<td>$322,941<\/td>\n<td>$264,512<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>11<\/td>\n<td>Alaska<\/td>\n<td>$86,631<\/td>\n<td>$384,000<\/td>\n<td>$325,291<\/td>\n<td>$269,066<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>10<\/td>\n<td>Virginia<\/td>\n<td>$89,931<\/td>\n<td>$474,000<\/td>\n<td>$333,022<\/td>\n<td>$276,119<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>9<\/td>\n<td>Colorado<\/td>\n<td>$92,911<\/td>\n<td>$623,000<\/td>\n<td>$332,379<\/td>\n<td>$277,194<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>8<\/td>\n<td>New Jersey<\/td>\n<td>$99,781<\/td>\n<td>$549,000<\/td>\n<td>$332,540<\/td>\n<td>$280,514<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>New Hampshire<\/td>\n<td>$96,838<\/td>\n<td>$496,000<\/td>\n<td>$339,474<\/td>\n<td>$284,057<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>6<\/td>\n<td>Washington<\/td>\n<td>$94,605<\/td>\n<td>$663,000<\/td>\n<td>$353,730<\/td>\n<td>$292,803<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>5<\/td>\n<td>California<\/td>\n<td>$95,521<\/td>\n<td>$856,000<\/td>\n<td>$357,044<\/td>\n<td>$295,562<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<td>Maryland<\/td>\n<td>$98,678<\/td>\n<td>$449,000<\/td>\n<td>$359,299<\/td>\n<td>$298,761<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<td>Massachusetts<\/td>\n<td>$99,858<\/td>\n<td>$658,000<\/td>\n<td>$360,115<\/td>\n<td>$299,922<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>Utah<\/td>\n<td>$93,421<\/td>\n<td>$563,000<\/td>\n<td>$367,098<\/td>\n<td>$301,225<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<td>Hawaii<\/td>\n<td>$95,322<\/td>\n<td>$770,000<\/td>\n<td>$381,238<\/td>\n<td>$311,832<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><em>*Using the 28% rule and typical state homeowners insurance and property tax rates.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"remote\">West Virginia Provides Best Value for Remote Workers, California Offers Worst<\/h3>\n<p>With a considerable number of Americans working remotely post-COVID, many have looked to take their big-city salaries and relocate to areas with lower costs of living. For this group, it\u2019s worth examining where the salary required to own the average home is lowest in absolute terms.<\/p>\n<p><strong><strong>On a statewide basis, this is West Virginia, where the state\u2019s typical home can be purchased affordably (with a 20% down payment) with a household income of $62,436. That\u2019s followed by Iowa ($70,436), Indiana ($72,302), Ohio ($72,613), and Louisiana ($73,190).<\/strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"infogram_0_e6a64625-32f9-4023-8291-66354e030bf3\" data-type=\"interactive\"><\/div>\n<p>California is far and away the leader for the highest income required to buy the median home, $229,008. That\u2019s around $35,000 more than the next highest, Hawaii ($192,525). Massachusetts ($182,460), Washington ($177,319), and Colorado ($174,149) also sit near the top of the list.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Rank<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>State<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Median Household Income<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Median Home Sales Price, April 2025<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Income Needed With 20% Down*&nbsp;<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Income Needed With 0% Down*<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><strong>United States<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$77,719<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$438,000<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$123,226<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>$147,602<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<td>West Virginia<\/td>\n<td>$55,948<\/td>\n<td>$248,000<\/td>\n<td>$62,436<\/td>\n<td>$76,238<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>Iowa<\/td>\n<td>$71,433<\/td>\n<td>$239,000<\/td>\n<td>$70,436<\/td>\n<td>$83,737<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<td>Indiana<\/td>\n<td>$69,477<\/td>\n<td>$267,000<\/td>\n<td>$72,302<\/td>\n<td>$87,161<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<td>Ohio<\/td>\n<td>$67,769<\/td>\n<td>$254,000<\/td>\n<td>$72,613<\/td>\n<td>$86,748<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>5<\/td>\n<td>Louisiana<\/td>\n<td>$58,229<\/td>\n<td>$251,000<\/td>\n<td>$73,190<\/td>\n<td>$87,158<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>6<\/td>\n<td>Arkansas<\/td>\n<td>$58,700<\/td>\n<td>$267,000<\/td>\n<td>$74,352<\/td>\n<td>$89,211<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>Mississippi<\/td>\n<td>$54,203<\/td>\n<td>$268,000<\/td>\n<td>$76,217<\/td>\n<td>$91,131<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>8<\/td>\n<td>Oklahoma<\/td>\n<td>$62,138<\/td>\n<td>$251,000<\/td>\n<td>$76,590<\/td>\n<td>$90,559<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>9<\/td>\n<td>Missouri<\/td>\n<td>$68,545<\/td>\n<td>$271,000<\/td>\n<td>$76,715<\/td>\n<td>$91,796<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>10<\/td>\n<td>Kentucky<\/td>\n<td>$61,118<\/td>\n<td>$266,000<\/td>\n<td>$77,234<\/td>\n<td>$92,037<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>11<\/td>\n<td>Michigan<\/td>\n<td>$69,183<\/td>\n<td>$270,000<\/td>\n<td>$78,094<\/td>\n<td>$93,119<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>12<\/td>\n<td>Alabama<\/td>\n<td>$62,212<\/td>\n<td>$290,000<\/td>\n<td>$78,734<\/td>\n<td>$94,873<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>13<\/td>\n<td>Pennsylvania<\/td>\n<td>$73,824<\/td>\n<td>$306,000<\/td>\n<td>$85,694<\/td>\n<td>$102,723<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>14<\/td>\n<td>North Dakota<\/td>\n<td>$76,525<\/td>\n<td>$299,000<\/td>\n<td>$86,204<\/td>\n<td>$102,843<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>15<\/td>\n<td>Delaware<\/td>\n<td>$81,361<\/td>\n<td>$359,000<\/td>\n<td>$90,446<\/td>\n<td>$110,424<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>16<\/td>\n<td>Kansas<\/td>\n<td>$70,333<\/td>\n<td>$289,000<\/td>\n<td>$91,805<\/td>\n<td>$107,888<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>17<\/td>\n<td>Wisconsin<\/td>\n<td>$74,631<\/td>\n<td>$329,000<\/td>\n<td>$92,824<\/td>\n<td>$111,133<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>18<\/td>\n<td>South Dakota<\/td>\n<td>$71,810<\/td>\n<td>$317,000<\/td>\n<td>$93,495<\/td>\n<td>$111,137<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>19<\/td>\n<td>Illinois<\/td>\n<td>$80,306<\/td>\n<td>$313,000<\/td>\n<td>$98,140<\/td>\n<td>$115,558<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>20<\/td>\n<td>New Mexico<\/td>\n<td>$62,268<\/td>\n<td>$368,000<\/td>\n<td>$99,596<\/td>\n<td>$120,075<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>21<\/td>\n<td>Alaska<\/td>\n<td>$86,631<\/td>\n<td>$384,000<\/td>\n<td>$102,266<\/td>\n<td>$123,636<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>22<\/td>\n<td>North Carolina<\/td>\n<td>$70,804<\/td>\n<td>$382,000<\/td>\n<td>$102,816<\/td>\n<td>$124,075<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>23<\/td>\n<td>South Carolina<\/td>\n<td>$67,804<\/td>\n<td>$381,000<\/td>\n<td>$102,828<\/td>\n<td>$124,031<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>24<\/td>\n<td>Nebraska<\/td>\n<td>$74,590<\/td>\n<td>$299,000<\/td>\n<td>$103,532<\/td>\n<td>$120,171<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>25<\/td>\n<td>Georgia<\/td>\n<td>$74,632<\/td>\n<td>$381,000<\/td>\n<td>$104,085<\/td>\n<td>$125,288<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>26<\/td>\n<td>Tennessee<\/td>\n<td>$67,631<\/td>\n<td>$392,000<\/td>\n<td>$105,895<\/td>\n<td>$127,710<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>27<\/td>\n<td>Wyoming<\/td>\n<td>$72,415<\/td>\n<td>$414,000<\/td>\n<td>$106,727<\/td>\n<td>$129,767<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>28<\/td>\n<td>Minnesota<\/td>\n<td>$85,086<\/td>\n<td>$369,000<\/td>\n<td>$107,062<\/td>\n<td>$127,597<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>29<\/td>\n<td>Maine<\/td>\n<td>$73,733<\/td>\n<td>$408,000<\/td>\n<td>$110,207<\/td>\n<td>$132,913<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>30<\/td>\n<td>Texas<\/td>\n<td>$75,780<\/td>\n<td>$348,000<\/td>\n<td>$111,144<\/td>\n<td>$130,510<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>31<\/td>\n<td>Arizona<\/td>\n<td>$77,315<\/td>\n<td>$441,000<\/td>\n<td>$117,037<\/td>\n<td>$141,579<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>32<\/td>\n<td>Nevada<\/td>\n<td>$76,364<\/td>\n<td>$467,000<\/td>\n<td>$118,128<\/td>\n<td>$144,117<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>33<\/td>\n<td>Idaho<\/td>\n<td>$74,942<\/td>\n<td>$474,000<\/td>\n<td>$121,371<\/td>\n<td>$147,750<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>34<\/td>\n<td>Maryland<\/td>\n<td>$98,678<\/td>\n<td>$449,000<\/td>\n<td>$123,313<\/td>\n<td>$148,301<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>35<\/td>\n<td>Vermont<\/td>\n<td>$81,211<\/td>\n<td>$439,000<\/td>\n<td>$124,372<\/td>\n<td>$148,803<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>36<\/td>\n<td>Virginia<\/td>\n<td>$89,931<\/td>\n<td>$474,000<\/td>\n<td>$128,001<\/td>\n<td>$154,380<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>37<\/td>\n<td>Florida<\/td>\n<td>$73,311<\/td>\n<td>$410,000<\/td>\n<td>$128,505<\/td>\n<td>$151,322<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>38<\/td>\n<td>Connecticut<\/td>\n<td>$91,665<\/td>\n<td>$451,000<\/td>\n<td>$133,189<\/td>\n<td>$158,287<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>39<\/td>\n<td>Oregon<\/td>\n<td>$80,160<\/td>\n<td>$517,000<\/td>\n<td>$136,037<\/td>\n<td>$164,809<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>40<\/td>\n<td>New Hampshire<\/td>\n<td>$96,838<\/td>\n<td>$496,000<\/td>\n<td>$141,489<\/td>\n<td>$169,092<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>41<\/td>\n<td>Rhode Island<\/td>\n<td>$84,972<\/td>\n<td>$496,000<\/td>\n<td>$142,841<\/td>\n<td>$170,444<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>42<\/td>\n<td>Utah<\/td>\n<td>$93,421<\/td>\n<td>$563,000<\/td>\n<td>$143,275<\/td>\n<td>$174,607<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>43<\/td>\n<td>Montana<\/td>\n<td>$70,804<\/td>\n<td>$529,000<\/td>\n<td>$146,714<\/td>\n<td>$176,154<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>44<\/td>\n<td>New Jersey<\/td>\n<td>$99,781<\/td>\n<td>$549,000<\/td>\n<td>$164,731<\/td>\n<td>$195,284<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>45<\/td>\n<td>New York<\/td>\n<td>$82,095<\/td>\n<td>$573,000<\/td>\n<td>$166,080<\/td>\n<td>$197,968<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>46<\/td>\n<td>Colorado<\/td>\n<td>$92,911<\/td>\n<td>$623,000<\/td>\n<td>$174,149<\/td>\n<td>$208,820<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>47<\/td>\n<td>Washington<\/td>\n<td>$94,605<\/td>\n<td>$663,000<\/td>\n<td>$177,319<\/td>\n<td>$214,216<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>48<\/td>\n<td>Massachusetts<\/td>\n<td>$99,858<\/td>\n<td>$658,000<\/td>\n<td>$182,460<\/td>\n<td>$219,078<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>49<\/td>\n<td>Hawaii<\/td>\n<td>$95,322<\/td>\n<td>$770,000<\/td>\n<td>$192,525<\/td>\n<td>$235,377<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>50<\/td>\n<td>California<\/td>\n<td>$95,521<\/td>\n<td>$856,000<\/td>\n<td>$229,008<\/td>\n<td>$276,646<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><em>*Using the 28% rule and typical state homeowners insurance and property tax rates.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>When it comes to cities, Detroit remains in first place with a required income of $60,474 to buy the typical Motor City home. Cleveland takes second at $69,150, while Pittsburgh ($71,217), Louisville, Kentucky ($79,555), and Cincinnati, Ohio ($80,336) round out the top five.<\/p>\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"infogram_0_72f90152-9298-476c-ac9f-ed9128e35ecc\" data-type=\"interactive\"><\/div>\n<p>Conversely, those moving to San Jose, California, would need to bring a $458,297 annual salary to buy the area\u2019s median-priced home. Nearby San Francisco isn\u2019t far behind at $415,871, followed by San Diego ($246,134), Los Angeles ($241,149), and New York ($233,455).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Rank<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Metro Area<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Median Household Income<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Median Home Sales Price, April 2025<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Income Needed With 20% Down<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Income Needed With 0% Down<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<td>Detroit, MI<\/td>\n<td>$72,574<\/td>\n<td>$195,000<\/td>\n<td>$60,474<\/td>\n<td>$71,326<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>Cleveland, OH<\/td>\n<td>$67,586<\/td>\n<td>$235,000<\/td>\n<td>$69,150<\/td>\n<td>$82,229<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<td>Pittsburgh, PA<\/td>\n<td>$72,532<\/td>\n<td>$250,000<\/td>\n<td>$71,217<\/td>\n<td>$85,130<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<td>Louisville, KY<\/td>\n<td>$68,921<\/td>\n<td>$273,000<\/td>\n<td>$79,555<\/td>\n<td>$94,748<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>5<\/td>\n<td>Cincinnati, OH<\/td>\n<td>$77,844<\/td>\n<td>$294,000<\/td>\n<td>$80,336<\/td>\n<td>$96,698<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>6<\/td>\n<td>St. Louis, MO<\/td>\n<td>$78,224<\/td>\n<td>$273,000<\/td>\n<td>$82,295<\/td>\n<td>$97,488<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>Buffalo, NY<\/td>\n<td>$69,861<\/td>\n<td>$255,000<\/td>\n<td>$82,313<\/td>\n<td>$96,504<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>8<\/td>\n<td>Indianapolis, IN<\/td>\n<td>$77,947<\/td>\n<td>$310,000<\/td>\n<td>$84,206<\/td>\n<td>$101,458<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>9<\/td>\n<td>Memphis, TN<\/td>\n<td>$64,025<\/td>\n<td>$295,000<\/td>\n<td>$84,719<\/td>\n<td>$101,136<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>10<\/td>\n<td>Oklahoma City, OK<\/td>\n<td>$69,895<\/td>\n<td>$268,000<\/td>\n<td>$84,904<\/td>\n<td>$99,818<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>11<\/td>\n<td>Birmingham, AL<\/td>\n<td>$69,284<\/td>\n<td>$315,000<\/td>\n<td>$85,429<\/td>\n<td>$102,959<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>12<\/td>\n<td>Philadelphia, PA<\/td>\n<td>$86,867<\/td>\n<td>$290,000<\/td>\n<td>$87,731<\/td>\n<td>$103,870<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>13<\/td>\n<td>Kansas City, MO<\/td>\n<td>$79,842<\/td>\n<td>$330,000<\/td>\n<td>$94,982<\/td>\n<td>$113,347<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>14<\/td>\n<td>Columbus, OH<\/td>\n<td>$77,390<\/td>\n<td>$337,000<\/td>\n<td>$95,177<\/td>\n<td>$113,932<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>15<\/td>\n<td>Virginia Beach, VA<\/td>\n<td>$79,325<\/td>\n<td>$355,000<\/td>\n<td>$95,701<\/td>\n<td>$115,458<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>16<\/td>\n<td>San Antonio, TX<\/td>\n<td>$73,195<\/td>\n<td>$310,000<\/td>\n<td>$98,609<\/td>\n<td>$115,861<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>17<\/td>\n<td>Grand Rapids, MI<\/td>\n<td>$77,979<\/td>\n<td>$345,000<\/td>\n<td>$99,293<\/td>\n<td>$118,493<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>18<\/td>\n<td>Milwaukee, WI<\/td>\n<td>$77,006<\/td>\n<td>$347,000<\/td>\n<td>$100,075<\/td>\n<td>$119,386<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>19<\/td>\n<td>Richmond, VA<\/td>\n<td>$84,332<\/td>\n<td>$400,000<\/td>\n<td>$106,909<\/td>\n<td>$129,170<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>20<\/td>\n<td>Charlotte, NC<\/td>\n<td>$81,262<\/td>\n<td>$409,000<\/td>\n<td>$107,912<\/td>\n<td>$130,673<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>21<\/td>\n<td>Atlanta, GA<\/td>\n<td>$86,505<\/td>\n<td>$400,000<\/td>\n<td>$109,760<\/td>\n<td>$132,021<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>22<\/td>\n<td>Baltimore, MD<\/td>\n<td>$94,289<\/td>\n<td>$395,000<\/td>\n<td>$111,649<\/td>\n<td>$133,631<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>23<\/td>\n<td>Fresno, CA<\/td>\n<td>$71,140<\/td>\n<td>$418,000<\/td>\n<td>$112,172<\/td>\n<td>$135,434<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>24<\/td>\n<td>Las Vegas, NV<\/td>\n<td>$75,065<\/td>\n<td>$449,000<\/td>\n<td>$113,839<\/td>\n<td>$138,826<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>25<\/td>\n<td>Houston, TX<\/td>\n<td>$79,463<\/td>\n<td>$340,000<\/td>\n<td>$115,194<\/td>\n<td>$134,115<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>26<\/td>\n<td>Jacksonville, FL<\/td>\n<td>$77,044<\/td>\n<td>$370,000<\/td>\n<td>$115,831<\/td>\n<td>$136,422<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>27<\/td>\n<td>Tampa, FL<\/td>\n<td>$72,743<\/td>\n<td>$370,000<\/td>\n<td>$116,256<\/td>\n<td>$136,847<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>28<\/td>\n<td>Minneapolis, MN<\/td>\n<td>$95,102<\/td>\n<td>$400,000<\/td>\n<td>$117,547<\/td>\n<td>$139,808<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>29<\/td>\n<td>Chicago, IL<\/td>\n<td>$87,071<\/td>\n<td>$370,000<\/td>\n<td>$118,197<\/td>\n<td>$138,788<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>30<\/td>\n<td>Raleigh, NC<\/td>\n<td>$96,096<\/td>\n<td>$441,000<\/td>\n<td>$120,069<\/td>\n<td>$144,612<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>31<\/td>\n<td>Phoenix, AZ<\/td>\n<td>$85,700<\/td>\n<td>$458,000<\/td>\n<td>$125,174<\/td>\n<td>$150,662<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>32<\/td>\n<td>Nashville, TN<\/td>\n<td>$84,685<\/td>\n<td>$470,000<\/td>\n<td>$126,705<\/td>\n<td>$152,861<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>33<\/td>\n<td>Orlando, FL<\/td>\n<td>$77,378<\/td>\n<td>$408,000<\/td>\n<td>$128,233<\/td>\n<td>$150,939<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>34<\/td>\n<td>Salt Lake City, UT<\/td>\n<td>$94,409<\/td>\n<td>$530,000<\/td>\n<td>$136,876<\/td>\n<td>$166,371<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>35<\/td>\n<td>Dallas, TX<\/td>\n<td>$86,860<\/td>\n<td>$425,000<\/td>\n<td>$138,791<\/td>\n<td>$162,443<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>36<\/td>\n<td>Austin, TX<\/td>\n<td>$98,508<\/td>\n<td>$450,000<\/td>\n<td>$139,062<\/td>\n<td>$164,105<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>37<\/td>\n<td>Providence, RI<\/td>\n<td>$83,330<\/td>\n<td>$485,000<\/td>\n<td>$142,700<\/td>\n<td>$169,690<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>38<\/td>\n<td>Portland, OR<\/td>\n<td>$94,925<\/td>\n<td>$559,000<\/td>\n<td>$147,663<\/td>\n<td>$178,772<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>39<\/td>\n<td>Sacramento, CA<\/td>\n<td>$94,992<\/td>\n<td>$590,000<\/td>\n<td>$159,312<\/td>\n<td>$192,146<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>40<\/td>\n<td>Riverside, CA<\/td>\n<td>$87,843<\/td>\n<td>$596,000<\/td>\n<td>$160,783<\/td>\n<td>$193,951<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>41<\/td>\n<td>Washington, DC<\/td>\n<td>$121,469<\/td>\n<td>$600,000<\/td>\n<td>$161,911<\/td>\n<td>$195,302<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>42<\/td>\n<td>Denver, CO<\/td>\n<td>$103,055<\/td>\n<td>$600,000<\/td>\n<td>$168,958<\/td>\n<td>$202,349<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>43<\/td>\n<td>Miami, FL<\/td>\n<td>$76,271<\/td>\n<td>$590,000<\/td>\n<td>$188,008<\/td>\n<td>$220,842<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>44<\/td>\n<td>Boston, MA<\/td>\n<td>$110,697<\/td>\n<td>$750,000<\/td>\n<td>$215,387<\/td>\n<td>$257,125<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>45<\/td>\n<td>Seattle, WA<\/td>\n<td>$110,744<\/td>\n<td>$850,000<\/td>\n<td>$230,379<\/td>\n<td>$277,683<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>46<\/td>\n<td>New York, NY<\/td>\n<td>$95,220<\/td>\n<td>$765,000<\/td>\n<td>$233,455<\/td>\n<td>$276,029<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>47<\/td>\n<td>Los Angeles, CA<\/td>\n<td>$91,960<\/td>\n<td>$905,000<\/td>\n<td>$241,149<\/td>\n<td>$291,514<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>48<\/td>\n<td>San Diego, CA<\/td>\n<td>$103,674<\/td>\n<td>$920,000<\/td>\n<td>$246,134<\/td>\n<td>$297,333<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>49<\/td>\n<td>San Francisco, CA<\/td>\n<td>$127,792<\/td>\n<td>$1,550,000<\/td>\n<td>$415,871<\/td>\n<td>$502,130<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>50<\/td>\n<td>San Jose, CA<\/td>\n<td>$153,202<\/td>\n<td>$1,700,000<\/td>\n<td>$458,297<\/td>\n<td>$552,904<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><em>*Using the 28% rule and typical state homeowners insurance and property tax rates.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"insurancetax\">Homeowners Insurance and Property Taxes Play a Significant Role in Affordability<\/h2>\n<p>Home insurance plays a large and increasingly important role in affordability across the country. Annual homeowners insurance on a median-priced home ranges from a paltry $834 in West Virginia (about $70 per month) to a jaw-dropping $7,392 in Florida (almost $620 monthly), a difference of more than 8x.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>This can have a dramatic effect on required salaries in states with similarly priced homes. For example, Delaware and Texas are fairly similar in terms of their median home price, at $359,000 and $348,000, respectively. However, homeowners insurance in Delaware costs just $1,154 annually, compared to $4,697 per year in Texas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As a result of this and other factors, the required income to buy a typical home with 20% down rises from $90,446 in Delaware to $111,144 in Texas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Property taxes are also a significant factor in determining affordability, varying widely depending on how a given state or municipality chooses to fund itself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>An excellent example of this would be the difference between high-tax New Jersey and low-tax Utah. Utah\u2019s median home price is actually higher than New Jersey\u2019s ($563,000 vs. $549,000), yet property taxes there are less than a quarter of those in the Garden State ($2,646 vs $9,717).<\/p>\n<p>Naturally, this creates a substantial gap in the salaries required to affordably own the typical home. Utah\u2019s level of $143,275 is over $20,000 less than New Jersey\u2019s ($164,731), despite median home prices being higher by about that same amount.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Rank<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>State<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Median Sale Price<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Annual Homeowners Insurance<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Annual Property Tax<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><strong>Income Needed With 20% Down*&nbsp;<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<td>Iowa<\/td>\n<td>$239,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,886<\/td>\n<td>$2,940<\/td>\n<td>$70,436<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>West Virginia<\/td>\n<td>$248,000<\/td>\n<td>$834<\/td>\n<td>$1,190<\/td>\n<td>$62,436<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<td>Louisiana<\/td>\n<td>$251,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,468<\/td>\n<td>$1,381<\/td>\n<td>$73,190<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<td>Oklahoma<\/td>\n<td>$251,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,868<\/td>\n<td>$1,933<\/td>\n<td>$76,590<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>5<\/td>\n<td>Ohio<\/td>\n<td>$254,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,173<\/td>\n<td>$3,327<\/td>\n<td>$72,613<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>6<\/td>\n<td>Kentucky<\/td>\n<td>$266,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,104<\/td>\n<td>$1,942<\/td>\n<td>$77,234<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>Arkansas<\/td>\n<td>$267,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,762<\/td>\n<td>$1,415<\/td>\n<td>$74,352<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>8<\/td>\n<td>Indiana<\/td>\n<td>$267,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,547<\/td>\n<td>$2,056<\/td>\n<td>$72,302<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>9<\/td>\n<td>Mississippi<\/td>\n<td>$268,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,082<\/td>\n<td>$1,554<\/td>\n<td>$76,217<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>10<\/td>\n<td>Michigan<\/td>\n<td>$270,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,932<\/td>\n<td>$3,105<\/td>\n<td>$78,094<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>11<\/td>\n<td>Missouri<\/td>\n<td>$271,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,204<\/td>\n<td>$2,385<\/td>\n<td>$76,715<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>12<\/td>\n<td>Kansas<\/td>\n<td>$289,000<\/td>\n<td>$4,253<\/td>\n<td>$3,439<\/td>\n<td>$91,805<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>13<\/td>\n<td>Alabama<\/td>\n<td>$290,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,926<\/td>\n<td>$1,044<\/td>\n<td>$78,734<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>14<\/td>\n<td>Nebraska<\/td>\n<td>$299,000<\/td>\n<td>$6,077<\/td>\n<td>$4,276<\/td>\n<td>$103,532<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>15<\/td>\n<td>North Dakota<\/td>\n<td>$299,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,690<\/td>\n<td>$2,811<\/td>\n<td>$86,204<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>16<\/td>\n<td>Pennsylvania<\/td>\n<td>$306,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,280<\/td>\n<td>$3,641<\/td>\n<td>$85,694<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>17<\/td>\n<td>Illinois<\/td>\n<td>$313,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,242<\/td>\n<td>$5,728<\/td>\n<td>$98,140<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>18<\/td>\n<td>South Dakota<\/td>\n<td>$317,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,282<\/td>\n<td>$3,138<\/td>\n<td>$93,495<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>19<\/td>\n<td>Wisconsin<\/td>\n<td>$329,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,372<\/td>\n<td>$4,113<\/td>\n<td>$92,824<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>20<\/td>\n<td>Texas<\/td>\n<td>$348,000<\/td>\n<td>$4,697<\/td>\n<td>$4,733<\/td>\n<td>$111,144<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>21<\/td>\n<td>Delaware<\/td>\n<td>$359,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,154<\/td>\n<td>$1,795<\/td>\n<td>$90,446<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>22<\/td>\n<td>New Mexico<\/td>\n<td>$368,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,705<\/td>\n<td>$2,245<\/td>\n<td>$99,596<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>23<\/td>\n<td>Minnesota<\/td>\n<td>$369,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,325<\/td>\n<td>$3,653<\/td>\n<td>$107,062<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>24<\/td>\n<td>Georgia<\/td>\n<td>$381,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,463<\/td>\n<td>$2,934<\/td>\n<td>$104,085<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>25<\/td>\n<td>South Carolina<\/td>\n<td>$381,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,254<\/td>\n<td>$1,791<\/td>\n<td>$102,828<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>26<\/td>\n<td>North Carolina<\/td>\n<td>$382,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,610<\/td>\n<td>$2,368<\/td>\n<td>$102,816<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>27<\/td>\n<td>Alaska<\/td>\n<td>$384,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,206<\/td>\n<td>$3,494<\/td>\n<td>$102,266<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>28<\/td>\n<td>Tennessee<\/td>\n<td>$392,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,297<\/td>\n<td>$1,921<\/td>\n<td>$105,895<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>29<\/td>\n<td>Maine<\/td>\n<td>$408,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,593<\/td>\n<td>$3,835<\/td>\n<td>$110,207<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>30<\/td>\n<td>Florida<\/td>\n<td>$410,000<\/td>\n<td>$7,392<\/td>\n<td>$3,034<\/td>\n<td>$128,505<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>31<\/td>\n<td>Wyoming<\/td>\n<td>$414,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,802<\/td>\n<td>$2,277<\/td>\n<td>$106,727<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>32<\/td>\n<td>Vermont<\/td>\n<td>$439,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,228<\/td>\n<td>$6,234<\/td>\n<td>$124,372<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>33<\/td>\n<td>Arizona<\/td>\n<td>$441,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,343<\/td>\n<td>$1,940<\/td>\n<td>$117,037<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>34<\/td>\n<td>Maryland<\/td>\n<td>$449,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,501<\/td>\n<td>$4,041<\/td>\n<td>$123,313<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>35<\/td>\n<td>Connecticut<\/td>\n<td>$451,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,508<\/td>\n<td>$6,675<\/td>\n<td>$133,189<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>36<\/td>\n<td>Nevada<\/td>\n<td>$467,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,680<\/td>\n<td>$2,288<\/td>\n<td>$118,128<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>37<\/td>\n<td>Idaho<\/td>\n<td>$474,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,165<\/td>\n<td>$2,275<\/td>\n<td>$121,371<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>38<\/td>\n<td>Virginia<\/td>\n<td>$474,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,647<\/td>\n<td>$3,650<\/td>\n<td>$128,001<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>39<\/td>\n<td>New Hampshire<\/td>\n<td>$496,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,708<\/td>\n<td>$6,994<\/td>\n<td>$141,489<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>40<\/td>\n<td>Rhode Island<\/td>\n<td>$496,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,872<\/td>\n<td>$5,208<\/td>\n<td>$142,841<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>41<\/td>\n<td>Oregon<\/td>\n<td>$517,000<\/td>\n<td>$1,834<\/td>\n<td>$4,033<\/td>\n<td>$136,037<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>42<\/td>\n<td>Montana<\/td>\n<td>$529,000<\/td>\n<td>$4,934<\/td>\n<td>$3,174<\/td>\n<td>$146,714<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>43<\/td>\n<td>New Jersey<\/td>\n<td>$549,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,189<\/td>\n<td>$9,717<\/td>\n<td>$164,731<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>44<\/td>\n<td>Utah<\/td>\n<td>$563,000<\/td>\n<td>$2,380<\/td>\n<td>$2,646<\/td>\n<td>$143,275<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>45<\/td>\n<td>New York<\/td>\n<td>$573,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,568<\/td>\n<td>$7,220<\/td>\n<td>$166,080<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>46<\/td>\n<td>Colorado<\/td>\n<td>$623,000<\/td>\n<td>$6,816<\/td>\n<td>$3,115<\/td>\n<td>$174,149<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>47<\/td>\n<td>Massachusetts<\/td>\n<td>$658,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,694<\/td>\n<td>$6,383<\/td>\n<td>$182,460<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>48<\/td>\n<td>Washington<\/td>\n<td>$663,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,353<\/td>\n<td>$4,973<\/td>\n<td>$177,319<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>49<\/td>\n<td>Hawaii<\/td>\n<td>$770,000<\/td>\n<td>$3,450<\/td>\n<td>$2,464<\/td>\n<td>$192,525<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>50<\/td>\n<td>California<\/td>\n<td>$856,000<\/td>\n<td>$4,776<\/td>\n<td>$5,992<\/td>\n<td>$229,008<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><em>*Using the 28% rule with 20% down payment and typical state homeowners insurance and property tax rates.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Impact of Maintenance Costs on Home Prices<\/h3>\n<p>Although not factored into our affordability calculations, it\u2019s also vital for homeowners and would-be buyers to remember the cost of maintaining their property. Generally, it costs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statefarm.com\/simple-insights\/residence\/how-to-budget-and-save-for-home-maintenance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1% to 4% of the home price to maintain a home<\/a>. For a U.S. average median home sale price of $438,000, this would be $4,380 to $17,520.<\/p>\n<p>Homeowners should expect these upkeep costs to be the highest in California (roughly $8,000 to $32,000 for a median-priced home) and Hawaii (about $7,500 to $30,000), as well as cities such as San Jose, California (roughly $15,000 to 60,000) and San Francisco (about $14,000 to $56,000).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>City<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Median Home Sales Price<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Annual Expected Maintenance Costs*<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>San Jose, CA<\/td>\n<td>$1,700,000<\/td>\n<td>$17,000 to $68,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>San Francisco, CA<\/td>\n<td>$1,550,000<\/td>\n<td>$15,500 to $62,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>San Diego, CA<\/td>\n<td>$920,000<\/td>\n<td>$9,200 to $36,800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Los Angeles, CA<\/td>\n<td>$905,000<\/td>\n<td>$9,050 to $36,200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Seattle, WA<\/td>\n<td>$850,000<\/td>\n<td>$8,500 to $34,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><em>*Calculated using 1% to 4% of median home sales price<\/em>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>State<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Median Home Sales Price<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Annual Expected Maintenance Costs*<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>California<\/td>\n<td>$856,000<\/td>\n<td>$8,560 to $34,240<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Hawaii<\/td>\n<td>$770,000<\/td>\n<td>$7,700 to $30,800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Washington<\/td>\n<td>$663,000<\/td>\n<td>$6,630 to $26,520<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Massachusetts<\/td>\n<td>$658,000<\/td>\n<td>$6,580 to $26,320<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Colorado<\/td>\n<td>$623,000<\/td>\n<td>$6,230 to $24,920<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><em>*Calculated using 1% to 4% of median home sales price.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">How Much House Can I Afford?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/50k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 50K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/55k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 55K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/60k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 60K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/65k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 65K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/70k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 70K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/75k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 75K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/80k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With an 80K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/85k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With an 85K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/90k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 90K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/95k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 95K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/100k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 100K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/110k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 110K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/120k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 120K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/130k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 130K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/140k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 140K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/150k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 150K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/160k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 160K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/170k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 170K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/180k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 180K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/190k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 190K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/200k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 200K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/250k-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Much House Can I Afford With a 250K Salary?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"method\">Methodology<\/h2>\n<p>Data sources for this study include the U.S. Census Bureau, the American Community Survey, the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Research, Redfin, Bankrate, Freddie Mac, and The Tax Foundation. Data analysis took place in April and May 2025.&nbsp; Where data points were unavailable for specific geographic resolutions, data from higher resolutions was used as an estimate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About Clever<\/h2>\n<p>Since 2017, <a href=\"https:\/\/go.listwithclever.com\/save-with-clever\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Clever Real Estate<\/a> has been on a mission to make selling or buying a home easier and more affordable for everyone. 12 million annual readers rely on Clever&#8217;s library of educational content and data-driven research to make smarter real estate decisions\u2014and to date, Clever has helped consumers save more than $190 million on realtor fees. Clever&#8217;s research has been featured in <em>The New York Times<\/em>, <em>Business Insider<\/em>, <em>Inman<\/em>, <em>Housing Wire<\/em>, and many more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>More Research From Clever<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-posts\">\n                    <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"related-post\" href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/research\/how-long-are-houses-on-the-market\/\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"related-image\">\n                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039;%20viewBox=&#039;0%200%20768%20432&#039;%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large bricks-lazy-hidden wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Shutterstock_1883977219-768x432.jpg\" data-type=\"string\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Shutterstock_1883977219-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Shutterstock_1883977219-360x203.jpg 360w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Shutterstock_1883977219-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Shutterstock_1883977219.jpg 1200w\" \/>                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"related-info\">\n<h4 class=\"related-title\">\n                        2025 Data: U.S. Cities and States Where It Takes the Longest to Sell a Home                    <\/h4>\n<div class=\"related-excerpt\">\n                        Selling your house in 2025? Find out how long it may take in your city.\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><br \/>\n                    <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"related-post\" href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/research\/best-pizza-cities-2025\/\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"related-image\">\n                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039;%20viewBox=&#039;0%200%20768%20576&#039;%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large bricks-lazy-hidden wp-post-image\" alt=\"best pizza cities in the u.s.\" data-src=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DALL\u00b7E-2025-02-11-15.08.08-A-simple-and-appetizing-cartoon-style-illustration-of-a-pizza-shaped-like-the-United-States.-The-pizza-has-a-golden-evenly-baked-crust-forming-the-sh-768x576.png\" data-type=\"string\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DALL\u00b7E-2025-02-11-15.08.08-A-simple-and-appetizing-cartoon-style-illustration-of-a-pizza-shaped-like-the-United-States.-The-pizza-has-a-golden-evenly-baked-crust-forming-the-sh-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DALL\u00b7E-2025-02-11-15.08.08-A-simple-and-appetizing-cartoon-style-illustration-of-a-pizza-shaped-like-the-United-States.-The-pizza-has-a-golden-evenly-baked-crust-forming-the-sh-360x270.png 360w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DALL\u00b7E-2025-02-11-15.08.08-A-simple-and-appetizing-cartoon-style-illustration-of-a-pizza-shaped-like-the-United-States.-The-pizza-has-a-golden-evenly-baked-crust-forming-the-sh-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DALL\u00b7E-2025-02-11-15.08.08-A-simple-and-appetizing-cartoon-style-illustration-of-a-pizza-shaped-like-the-United-States.-The-pizza-has-a-golden-evenly-baked-crust-forming-the-sh.png 1365w\" \/>                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"related-info\">\n<h4 class=\"related-title\">\n                        2025 Data: Best Pizza Cities in the U.S., Ranked                    <\/h4>\n<div class=\"related-excerpt\">\n                        Which metros top the list for best pizza in the country in price, reputation, and availability? See where your city stacks up.                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><br \/>\n                    <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"related-post\" href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/research\/why-is-selling-a-home-so-stressful\/\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"related-image\">\n                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"439\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039;%20viewBox=&#039;0%200%20768%20439&#039;%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large bricks-lazy-hidden wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DALL\u00b7E-2025-01-24-13.58.08-A-clean-and-modern-cartoon-style-illustration-depicting-a-multicultural-couple-standing-in-front-of-a-house-with-a-For-Sale-sign-looking-at-the-hou-768x439.png\" data-type=\"string\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DALL\u00b7E-2025-01-24-13.58.08-A-clean-and-modern-cartoon-style-illustration-depicting-a-multicultural-couple-standing-in-front-of-a-house-with-a-For-Sale-sign-looking-at-the-hou-768x439.png 768w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DALL\u00b7E-2025-01-24-13.58.08-A-clean-and-modern-cartoon-style-illustration-depicting-a-multicultural-couple-standing-in-front-of-a-house-with-a-For-Sale-sign-looking-at-the-hou-360x206.png 360w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DALL\u00b7E-2025-01-24-13.58.08-A-clean-and-modern-cartoon-style-illustration-depicting-a-multicultural-couple-standing-in-front-of-a-house-with-a-For-Sale-sign-looking-at-the-hou-1024x585.png 1024w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DALL\u00b7E-2025-01-24-13.58.08-A-clean-and-modern-cartoon-style-illustration-depicting-a-multicultural-couple-standing-in-front-of-a-house-with-a-For-Sale-sign-looking-at-the-hou-1536x878.png 1536w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DALL\u00b7E-2025-01-24-13.58.08-A-clean-and-modern-cartoon-style-illustration-depicting-a-multicultural-couple-standing-in-front-of-a-house-with-a-For-Sale-sign-looking-at-the-hou.png 1792w\" \/>                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"related-info\">\n<h4 class=\"related-title\">\n                        2025 Data: Why Is Selling a Home So Stressful?                    <\/h4>\n<div class=\"related-excerpt\">\n                        Homeowners are overwhelmingly stressed and afraid about selling their properties. See why and what&#8217;s holding them back in a new study.                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Articles You May Like<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-posts\">\n                    <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"related-post\" href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/real-estate-blog\/first-time-homebuyer-programs\/\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"related-image\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039;%20viewBox=&#039;0%200%20768%20512&#039;%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large bricks-lazy-hidden wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7cf51f70-cb42-11e9-9a56-cf16cd66e478-first_time_homebuyer_programs_everyone_should_know_about-ogid-123608-768x512.jpg\" data-type=\"string\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7cf51f70-cb42-11e9-9a56-cf16cd66e478-first_time_homebuyer_programs_everyone_should_know_about-ogid-123608-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7cf51f70-cb42-11e9-9a56-cf16cd66e478-first_time_homebuyer_programs_everyone_should_know_about-ogid-123608-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7cf51f70-cb42-11e9-9a56-cf16cd66e478-first_time_homebuyer_programs_everyone_should_know_about-ogid-123608-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7cf51f70-cb42-11e9-9a56-cf16cd66e478-first_time_homebuyer_programs_everyone_should_know_about-ogid-123608.jpg 810w\" \/>                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"related-info\">\n<h4 class=\"related-title\">\n                        First-Time Homebuyer Programs Everyone Should Know About                    <\/h4>\n<div class=\"related-excerpt\">\n                        Buying your first home feels more possible when you get help from a first-time homebuyer program. Here are 7 good ones to explore.                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><br \/>\n                    <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"related-post\" href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/real-estate-blog\/which-real-estate-company-has-the-lowest-commission\/\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"related-image\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"448\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039;%20viewBox=&#039;0%200%20768%20448&#039;%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large bricks-lazy-hidden wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/759fa1f0-22d0-11eb-ba14-552468e9115a-real-estate-agent-broker-realtor-shutterstock-768x448.jpg\" data-type=\"string\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/759fa1f0-22d0-11eb-ba14-552468e9115a-real-estate-agent-broker-realtor-shutterstock-768x448.jpg 768w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/759fa1f0-22d0-11eb-ba14-552468e9115a-real-estate-agent-broker-realtor-shutterstock-360x210.jpg 360w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/759fa1f0-22d0-11eb-ba14-552468e9115a-real-estate-agent-broker-realtor-shutterstock.jpg 810w\" \/>                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"related-info\">\n<h4 class=\"related-title\">\n                        7 Best Low Commission Realtors of 2025                    <\/h4>\n<div class=\"related-excerpt\">\n                        Find the best low commission real estate agents and brokers, so you can sell with a full-service realtor and save thousands on commission fees!                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><br \/>\n                    <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"related-post\" href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/real-estate-blog\/companies-that-buy-houses-for-cash\/\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"related-image\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"768\" height=\"408\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039;%20viewBox=&#039;0%200%20768%20408&#039;%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large bricks-lazy-hidden wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/86171370-bd98-11eb-9839-1fdec066e864-MainPageWEBUYHEADER-768x408.png\" data-type=\"string\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/86171370-bd98-11eb-9839-1fdec066e864-MainPageWEBUYHEADER-768x408.png 768w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/86171370-bd98-11eb-9839-1fdec066e864-MainPageWEBUYHEADER-360x191.png 360w, https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/86171370-bd98-11eb-9839-1fdec066e864-MainPageWEBUYHEADER.png 810w\" \/>                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"related-info\">\n<h4 class=\"related-title\">\n                        14 Best Companies That Buy Houses for Cash                    <\/h4>\n<div class=\"related-excerpt\">\n                        Looking to sell your home fast? From &#8220;we buy houses&#8221; companies to iBuyers like Opendoor, we found the best companies that buy houses for cash.                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faq\">FAQs<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"faq-question\"><strong>What cities have household incomes closest to the amount required to buy a typical home?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\">\n<p>Using the 28% metric and a 20% down payment, people making the median income can only affordably buy a home in two major U.S. metro areas: Detroit and Pittsburgh. <a href=\"#fivecities\">Learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"faq-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"faq-question\">What are the most affordable states based on median incomes and home prices?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\">\n<p>On a statewide basis, just one state is affordable with the 28% metric and 20% down, using local incomes and median house prices: Iowa. <a href=\"#states\">Learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"faq-question\"><strong>Where can remote workers find the most affordable states to buy an average home?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\">\n<p>On an absolute basis, West Virginia is where a typical home can be purchased affordably (with a 20% down payment) for the lowest amount, with a household income of $62,436. That\u2019s followed by Iowa ($70,436), Indiana ($72,302), Ohio ($72,613), and Louisiana ($73,190). <a href=\"#remote\">Learn more<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"faq-question\"><strong>How does the U.S. median home price compare to what would be affordable based on national median incomes?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\">\n<p>The current median-priced U.S. home sells for $438,000, while the median home price that would actually be affordable by the 28% metric is $276,247, based on the actual median U.S. income of $77,719 with a 20% down payment. <a href=\"#nationwide\">Learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/research\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\/\">Why Are Houses So Expensive? 2025 Data Shows Just Two Affordable U.S. Cities for Buying Homes<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\">Clever Real Estate<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\ud83d\udcb8 Why are houses so expensive across the United States? \ud83d\udcb8 Homes rightfully feel pricey to buyers in almost all of the country\u2019s 50 largest markets, as just two cities and one state have local median incomes high enough to affordably purchase the typical home. American Median Home Prices vs. Required Incomes | Affordable Housing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":247601,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[15103,10958,9389,11603,2157,13591,14679,5033,8134],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-247600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-estate","tag-affordable","tag-buying","tag-cities","tag-data","tag-expensive","tag-homes","tag-houses","tag-shows","tag-u-s"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why Are Houses So Expensive? 2025 Data Shows Just Two Affordable U.S. Cities for Buying Homes - Som2ny Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=247600\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why Are Houses So Expensive? 2025 Data Shows Just Two Affordable U.S. Cities for Buying Homes - Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\ud83d\udcb8 Why are houses so expensive across the United States? \ud83d\udcb8 Homes rightfully feel pricey to buyers in almost all of the country\u2019s 50 largest markets, as just two cities and one state have local median incomes high enough to affordably purchase the typical home. 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