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Homebuyers Are Seriously Stretching Their Budget to Buy Housing in These Cities

By Evan Comen Published Mar 3, 10:41AM EST

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Homebuyers Are Seriously Stretching Their Budget to Buy Housing in These Cities — © rattanakun and Andy Dean Photography

The cost of homeownership has risen sharply in recent years. While financial experts generally recommend that housing costs not exceed 30% of household income, many homeowners are spending far beyond that. Nationwide, 13.9% of housing units are spending at least 50% of their income on housing costs, with the proportion far greater in more expensive cities.

The cities where the most home dwellers are spending more than half their incomes on housing are relatively well-distributed throughout the country. Of the 25 top cities, nine are in the Northeast, eight are in the South, and eight are in the West. Several cities are in the Los Angeles and Miami metro areas. But while housing costs as a share of income are correlated with renter rates and the overall cost of real estate, the list of the top 25 cities is not just a list of the 25 most expensive cities. A closer look at the data reveals where homeowners are stretching their budgets the farthest to buy housing.

To determine where homeowners are stretching their budget to buy housing, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year data on housing costs and income from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey. Cities were ranked based on the percentage of housing units spending more than 50% of their income on housing costs. Supplemental data on the percentage of homeowners – both with and without a mortgage – spending more than 50% of their income on housing, the percentage of renters spending more than 50% of their income on housing, median household income, and median home value are also from the U.S. Census Bureau. Only cities with at least 100,000 residents were considered.

25. Anaheim, CA

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 23.1%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 13.7%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 31.0%
Median household income: $90,583
Median home value: $771,700

24. Elizabeth, NJ

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 23.1%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 16.0%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 25.5%
Median household income: $63,874
Median home value: $393,500

23. Pompano Beach, FL

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 23.2%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 14.0%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 33.8%
Median household income: $63,832
Median home value: $321,900

22. Lynn, MA

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 23.2%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 16.5%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 30.0%
Median household income: $74,715
Median home value: $472,600

21. Waterbury, CT

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 23.2%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 16.5%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 28.7%
Median household income: $51,642
Median home value: $185,400

20. Burbank, CA

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 23.3%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 13.6%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 30.6%
Median household income: $95,816
Median home value: $1,041,100

19. New York, NY

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 23.4%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 17.8%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 26.1%
Median household income: $79,713
Median home value: $751,700

18. New Haven, CT

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 23.6%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 15.8%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 26.6%
Median household income: $53,771
Median home value: $249,000

17. Miami Gardens, FL

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 23.8%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 19.0%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 33.0%
Median household income: $60,979
Median home value: $337,200

16. Athens, GA

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 24.0%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 9.3%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 33.9%
Median household income: $51,655
Median home value: $271,800

15. Inglewood, CA

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 24.0%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 17.0%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 27.8%
Median household income: $71,029
Median home value: $744,300

14. Hollywood, FL

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 24.6%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 16.9%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 35.5%
Median household income: $65,359
Median home value: $374,200

13. El Monte, CA

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 25.0%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 17.6%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 29.9%
Median household income: $64,484
Median home value: $626,000

12. Hialeah, FL

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 25.0%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 17.9%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 31.3%
Median household income: $53,079
Median home value: $359,200

11. Bridgeport, CT

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 25.4%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 18.2%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 30.9%
Median household income: $56,584
Median home value: $252,400

10. Los Angeles, CA

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 25.9%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 19.0%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 29.9%
Median household income: $80,366
Median home value: $879,500

9. Hartford, CT

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 26.0%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 15.4%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 29.6%
Median household income: $45,300
Median home value: $217,200

8. Gainesville, FL

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 26.2%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 10.1%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 36.3%
Median household income: $45,611
Median home value: $235,000

7. College Station, TX

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 26.4%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 9.9%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 35.6%
Median household income: $51,776
Median home value: $326,500

6. Miami, FL

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 26.8%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 18.2%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 30.6%
Median household income: $59,390
Median home value: $475,200

5. Boulder, CO

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 27.0%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 10.5%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 42.1%
Median household income: $85,364
Median home value: $982,600

4. Newark, NJ

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 27.8%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 23.9%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 29.0%
Median household income: $48,416
Median home value: $337,800

3. El Cajon, CA

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 28.5%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 16.9%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 36.6%
Median household income: $66,478
Median home value: $632,800

2. Paterson, NJ

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 28.9%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 20.6%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 31.9%
Median household income: $53,766
Median home value: $335,400

1. Glendale, CA

All housing units spending more than 50% of income on housing: 31.2%
Homeowners spending more than 50% of income on housing: 18.8%
Renters spending more than 50% of income on housing: 38.0%
Median household income: $84,262
Median home value: $1,043,900

About the Author Evan Comen →

Evan Comen is a writer for 24/7 Wall St. He has worked as a data journalist since 2015, covering climate change and urban economics. His work is regularly featured on MSN, and has been cited in many major online and print publications, including The Boston Globe, the Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times.