Housing affordability has been a sore subject for some time, with home prices growth have far outpacing wage growth in recent years. And with interest rates near highs not seen in decades, affordability has further worsened. The good news is that in the past two quarters, home affordability has improved, according to real estate data company ATTOM. The bad news is that affordability remains near the worst levels in 15 years as home prices stay close to all-time highs.
Further, major expenses on median-priced homes accounted for 32.3% of the average national wage in the first quarter, well above common 28% lending guidelines, ATTOM notes, meaning that homeownership remains difficult for average workers. Still, there are some housing markets that are quite affordable
To find the most affordable housing markets in the U.S., 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from ATTOM’s 2024 U.S. Home Affordability Report. ATTOM analyzed median home prices and average wage data (from the Bureau of Labor Statistics) in 590 U.S. counties to find the percentage of average wages needed to pay for major expenses on a median-priced home with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and a 20% down payment. 24/7 Wall St. listed here the 50 counties where the lowest percentage of wages is required to afford a median-priced home.
Among the 50 most affordable counties, major expenses on median-priced homes account for as low as 11.9% of the local average wage to as high as 19.9% — considerably lower than the 32.3% of wages home expenses account for nationwide. In fact, in 26 of these affordable counties, home prices are not outpacing wages. (Also see: This City Has the Most Expensive Houses in America.)
Where are these counties? Well, no county on this list is in the West region. However, 23 are in the South (including five in Alabama and four in Louisiana), 16 are in the Midwest (including six in Michigan and five in Illinois), and 11 are in the Northeast (including eight in Pennsylvania). While home prices in these counties tend to be among the lowest, annualized wages are not necessarily as low.
The most populous counties on the list are home to over 1 million residents and include such metro areas as Detroit, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. Other large metros in the counties on the list include Memphis, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; Baltimore; Toledo, Ohio; Mobile, Alabama; Flint, Michigan, and St. Louis.
50. Genesee, Michigan
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Flint
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 19.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $146,000 (#40 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -3%
- Annualized weekly wages: $53,144 (#143 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 405,280
49. Jackson, Michigan
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Jackson
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 19.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $168,000 (#61 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +19%
- Annualized weekly wages: $59,436 (#272 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 160,637
48. Oneida, New York
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Utica
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 19.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $169,161 (#63 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +13%
- Annualized weekly wages: $58,253 (#283 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +6%
- County population: 231,055
47. Trumbull, Ohio
Source: Jack Pearce / Flickr
- County seat: Warren
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 19.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $134,943 (#20 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +2%
- Annualized weekly wages: $48,607 (#41 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 201,749
46. Bibb, Georgia
Source: kenlund / Flickr
- County seat: Macon
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 19.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $145,000 (#37 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +23%
- Annualized weekly wages: $52,481 (#122 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 156,554
45. Midland, Texas
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Midland
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 19.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $271,910 (#235 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -15%
- Annualized weekly wages: $91,611 (#18 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +7%
- County population: 169,393
44. Houston, Alabama
Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- County seat: Dothan
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 19.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $161,041 (#53 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +1%
- Annualized weekly wages: $51,467 (#94 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 107,040
43. Rapides, Louisiana
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Alexandria
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 19.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $142,750 (#31 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -8%
- Annualized weekly wages: $49,023 (#50 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 129,536
42. Sangamon, Illinois
Source: fotoguy22 / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Springfield
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 19.10%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $155,000 (#43 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +16%
- Annualized weekly wages: $64,415 (#186 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 196,122
41. Aiken, South Carolina
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- County seat: Aiken
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 19.00%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $179,950 (#76 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: 0%
- Annualized weekly wages: $59,904 (#255 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +4%
- County population: 169,865
40. Blair, Pennsylvania
Source: dougtone / Flickr
- County seat: Hollidaysburg
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 18.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $133,950 (#17 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +6%
- Annualized weekly wages: $50,583 (#75 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 122,640
39. Potter, Texas
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Amarillo
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 18.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $146,519 (#41 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +9%
- Annualized weekly wages: $57,525 (#266 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 117,905
38. La Salle, Illinois
Source: davidwilson1949 / Flickr
- County seat: Ottawa
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 18.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $135,000 (#21 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +15%
- Annualized weekly wages: $55,016 (#188 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 109,495
37. Jefferson, Texas
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Beaumont
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 18.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $161,250 (#54 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -4%
- Annualized weekly wages: $65,611 (#170 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +4%
- County population: 254,942
36. Sumter, South Carolina
Source: ovidiuhrubaru / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Sumter
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 18.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $141,500 (#28 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -8%
- Annualized weekly wages: $50,063 (#65 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +5%
- County population: 105,199
35. Ingham, Michigan
Source: WardMcGinnis / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Mason
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 18.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $161,000 (#52 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +11%
- Annualized weekly wages: $65,650 (#169 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 282,540
34. Washington, Pennsylvania
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- County seat: Washington
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 18.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $173,000 (#68 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -4%
- Annualized weekly wages: $69,303 (#113 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 209,631
33. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Source: aparlette / Flickr
- County seat: Philadelphia
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 18.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $210,000 (#127 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +8%
- Annualized weekly wages: $79,924 (#50 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 1,593,208
32. Baltimore City, Maryland
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Baltimore
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 18.30%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $195,000 (#95 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +3%
- Annualized weekly wages: $79,989 (#49 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 584,548
31. Mercer, Pennsylvania
Source: dougtone / Flickr
- County seat: Mercer
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 18.30%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $134,190 (#18 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +28%
- Annualized weekly wages: $51,597 (#98 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 110,600
30. Allen, Ohio
Source: wclaphotography / Flickr
- County seat: Lima
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 18.10%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $142,500 (#30 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +2%
- Annualized weekly wages: $55,016 (#188 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 102,087
29. Comanche, Oklahoma
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Lawton
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 18.00%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $124,000 (#8 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -1%
- Annualized weekly wages: $47,970 (#34 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 121,777
29. Lucas, Ohio
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Toledo
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 16.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $133,000 (#16 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +11%
- Annualized weekly wages: $59,384 (#274 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 430,014
28. Muscogee, Georgia
Source: RobHainer / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Columbus
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 17.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $136,750 (#24 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -2%
- Annualized weekly wages: $52,299 (#115 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: 0%
- County population: 204,572
27. Delaware, Indiana
Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- County seat: Muncie
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 17.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $128,847 (#13 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +3%
- Annualized weekly wages: $49,660 (#61 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: 0%
- County population: 112,156
26. Calhoun, Alabama
Source: jjneff / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Anniston
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 17.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $135,562 (#23 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +7%
- Annualized weekly wages: $48,984 (#46 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +6%
- County population: 116,162
25. Cuyahoga, Ohio
Source: ungvar / Shutterstock.com
- County seat: Cleveland
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 17.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $160,000 (#50 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: 0%
- Annualized weekly wages: $70,928 (#96 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 1,256,620
24. Calcasieu, Louisiana
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Lake Charles
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 17.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $164,751 (#57 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -6%
- Annualized weekly wages: $60,515 (#241 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 210,770
23. Terrebonne, Louisiana
Source: kenlund / Flickr
- County seat: Houma
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 17.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $160,980 (#51 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +5%
- Annualized weekly wages: $59,774 (#260 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +4%
- County population: 108,862
22. Shelby, Tennessee
Source: mobili / Flickr
- County seat: Memphis
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 17.30%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $166,666 (#60 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -6%
- Annualized weekly wages: $68,614 (#123 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 926,440
21. Allegheny, Pennsylvania
Source: Christian Hinkle / Shutterstock.com
- County seat: Pittsburgh
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 17.30%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $175,000 (#71 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -2%
- Annualized weekly wages: $75,192 (#64 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 1,245,310
20. Chautauqua, New York
Source: Zack Frank / Shutterstock.com
- County seat: Mayville
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 17.20%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $122,500 (#7 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +3%
- Annualized weekly wages: $50,206 (#68 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 127,440
18. Fayette, Pennsylvania
Source: davidwilson1949 / Flickr
- County seat: Uniontown
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 16.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $114,500 (#5 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: 0%
- Annualized weekly wages: $49,010 (#48 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 128,417
17. Caddo, Louisiana
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Shreveport
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 16.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $132,500 (#15 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: 0%
- Annualized weekly wages: $55,900 (#221 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 236,259
16. Calhoun, Michigan
Source: fotoguy49057 / Flickr
- County seat: Marshall
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 16.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $142,000 (#29 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +4%
- Annualized weekly wages: $61,932 (#218 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 134,011
15. Kanawha, West Virginia
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Charleston
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 16.20%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $140,500 (#27 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -1%
- Annualized weekly wages: $57,915 (#274 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 179,895
14. Saginaw, Michigan
Source: ehrlif / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- County seat: Saginaw
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 15.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $125,000 (#10 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +8%
- Annualized weekly wages: $56,979 (#250 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 189,821
13. Richmond, Georgia
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Augusta
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 15.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $128,304 (#12 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -18%
- Annualized weekly wages: $56,381 (#234 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 206,153
12. Montgomery, Alabama
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Montgomery
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 15.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $134,500 (#19 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +3%
- Annualized weekly wages: $58,188 (#279 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +4%
- County population: 228,132
11. Mobile, Alabama
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Mobile
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 15.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $138,100 (#25 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -18%
- Annualized weekly wages: $58,695 (#292 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 413,878
10. Saint Louis City, Missouri
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: St. Louis
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 15.00%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $162,000 (#55 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +1%
- Annualized weekly wages: $75,400 (#63 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +4%
- County population: 298,018
9. Rock Island, Illinois
Source: davidwilson1949 / Flickr
- County seat: Rock Island
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 14.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $125,000 (#10 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +10%
- Annualized weekly wages: $67,977 (#133 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: 0%
- County population: 143,819
8. Oswego, New York
Source: pumppump / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Oswego
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 14.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $124,250 (#9 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +4%
- Annualized weekly wages: $59,579 (#265 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +5%
- County population: 118,037
7. Robeson, North Carolina
Source: gerrydincher / Flickr
- County seat: Lumberton
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 14.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $96,020 (#3 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -6%
- Annualized weekly wages: $43,979 (#3 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 117,573
6. Wayne, Michigan
Source: espiegle / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Detroit
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 13.30%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $135,000 (#21 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +2%
- Annualized weekly wages: $73,203 (#83 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 1,781,641
5. Peoria, Illinois
Source: ghornephoto / iStock via Getty Images
- County seat: Peoria
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 12.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $115,750 (#6 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +13%
- Annualized weekly wages: $71,591 (#90 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 181,186
4. Cambria, Pennsylvania
Source: diversey / Flickr
- County seat: Ebensburg
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 12.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $85,000 (#1 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +42%
- Annualized weekly wages: $47,281 (#26 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 133,263
3. Jefferson, Alabama
Source: ESB Professional/Shutterstock
- County seat: Birmingham
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 12.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $129,000 (#14 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -24%
- Annualized weekly wages: $68,510 (#125 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 672,265
2. Schuylkill, Pennsylvania
Source: davidwilson1949 / Flickr
- County seat: Pottsville
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 12.10%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $86,000 (#2 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +9%
- Annualized weekly wages: $52,052 (#109 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 143,201
1. Macon, Illinois
Source: Westhoff / E+ via Getty Images
- County seat: Decatur
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median priced home: 11.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $99,000 (#4 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +12%
- Annualized weekly wages: $67,327 (#143 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +5%
- County population: 103,542
Sponsored: Attention Savvy Investors: Speak to 3 Financial Experts – FREE
Ever wanted an extra set of eyes on an investment you’re considering? Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply
clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help guide you through the financial decisions you’re making. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.