A surge in demand for homes in the United States, in addition to limited housing inventory, has created a sellers market unlike anything seen in recent memory. Homes are now selling faster than ever before — and also for more money than ever before. Here is a look at the cities where the middle class can no longer afford housing.
Much of the country has long faced a housing affordability crisis, and rapidly rising home values are further exacerbating the problem. Despite the growing gap between income and housing costs, some parts of the country offer much more affordable housing than others.
According to the most recently available figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, the typical American home is worth $217,500, 3.5 times more than the national median household income of $62,843. In nearly every state, there is at least one community where the ratio of home value to income is lower than it is nationwide.
Using data from the Census’ American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most affordable place to live in every state. We ranked all cities, towns, villages, and unincorporated communities with populations of at least 10,000 by the median home value to median annual household income ratio.
With home values more affordable for the local incomes, the places on this list tend to have higher than average homeownership rates. In all but 10 communities on this list, the homeownership rate exceeds the homeownership rate across the state as a whole. Only four places on this list have a lower homeownership rate than the 64% rate nationwide. Here is a look at the states where the most people live with their parents.
Click here to see the least expensive place to live in every state.
Click here to see our methodology.
Alabama: Alabaster
> Home value to income ratio: 2.2-to-1 (state: 2.8-to-1)
> Median household income: $80,072 (state: $50,536)
> Median home value: $173,000 (state: $142,700)
> Home ownership rate: 83.6% (state: 68.8%)
> Location: Shelby County
> Population: 33,176
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Source: RadioKAOS / Wikimedia Commons
Alaska: Badger
> Home value to income ratio: 2.8-to-1 (state: 3.5-to-1)
> Median household income: $81,111 (state: $77,640)
> Median home value: $224,900 (state: $270,400)
> Home ownership rate: 73.6% (state: 64.3%)
> Location: Fairbanks North Star Borough
> Population: 18,911
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Source: Musides / Wikimedia Commons
Arizona: Sahuarita
> Home value to income ratio: 2.7-to-1 (state: 3.8-to-1)
> Median household income: $80,525 (state: $58,945)
> Median home value: $214,100 (state: $225,500)
> Home ownership rate: 82.4% (state: 64.4%)
> Location: Pima County
> Population: 29,905
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/seandavis/
Arkansas: Marion
> Home value to income ratio: 2.1-to-1 (state: 2.7-to-1)
> Median household income: $73,459 (state: $47,597)
> Median home value: $153,900 (state: $127,800)
> Home ownership rate: 68.0% (state: 65.6%)
> Location: Crittenden County
> Population: 12,404
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Source: JacobSA2019 / Wikimedia Commons
California: Imperial
> Home value to income ratio: 2.8-to-1 (state: 6.7-to-1)
> Median household income: $85,654 (state: $75,235)
> Median home value: $239,900 (state: $505,000)
> Home ownership rate: 74.4% (state: 54.8%)
> Location: Imperial County
> Population: 17,454
Colorado: Johnstown
> Home value to income ratio: 3.4-to-1 (state: 4.7-to-1)
> Median household income: $100,025 (state: $72,331)
> Median home value: $336,100 (state: $343,300)
> Home ownership rate: 87.1% (state: 65.2%)
> Location: Weld County
> Population: 14,910
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Connecticut: Newington
> Home value to income ratio: 2.8-to-1 (state: 3.5-to-1)
> Median household income: $81,646 (state: $78,444)
> Median home value: $230,500 (state: $275,400)
> Home ownership rate: 78.3% (state: 66.1%)
> Location: Hartford County
> Population: 30,234
Source: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. / Wikimedia Commons
Delaware: Bear
> Home value to income ratio: 2.9-to-1 (state: 3.7-to-1)
> Median household income: $72,192 (state: $68,287)
> Median home value: $209,700 (state: $251,100)
> Home ownership rate: 57.9% (state: 71.2%)
> Location: New Castle County
> Population: 20,850
Source: chapstickaddict / Flickr
Florida: Gonzalez
> Home value to income ratio: 2.2-to-1 (state: 3.9-to-1)
> Median household income: $77,492 (state: $55,660)
> Median home value: $172,200 (state: $215,300)
> Home ownership rate: 84.0% (state: 65.4%)
> Location: Escambia County
> Population: 14,598
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Source: Thomson200 / Wikimedia Commons
Georgia: Martinez
> Home value to income ratio: 2.2-to-1 (state: 3.0-to-1)
> Median household income: $75,330 (state: $58,700)
> Median home value: $162,600 (state: $176,000)
> Home ownership rate: 75.6% (state: 63.3%)
> Location: Columbia County
> Population: 34,844
Source: eyebex / iStock via Getty Images
Hawaii: Waimea
> Home value to income ratio: 4.9-to-1 (state: 7.6-to-1)
> Median household income: $91,074 (state: $81,275)
> Median home value: $449,200 (state: $615,300)
> Home ownership rate: 56.0% (state: 58.9%)
> Location: Hawaii County
> Population: 11,908
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Source: Zechariah Judy / Wikimedia Commons
Idaho: Ammon
> Home value to income ratio: 3.0-to-1 (state: 3.8-to-1)
> Median household income: $67,545 (state: $55,785)
> Median home value: $199,400 (state: $212,300)
> Home ownership rate: 74.1% (state: 70.0%)
> Location: Bonneville County
> Population: 15,859
Source: Royalbroil / Wikimedia Commons
Illinois: Roscoe
> Home value to income ratio: 1.8-to-1 (state: 3.0-to-1)
> Median household income: $92,138 (state: $65,886)
> Median home value: $163,000 (state: $194,500)
> Home ownership rate: 77.4% (state: 66.1%)
> Location: Winnebago County
> Population: 10,757
Source: Mingusboodle / Wikimeda Commons
Indiana: Franklin
> Home value to income ratio: 2.2-to-1 (state: 2.5-to-1)
> Median household income: $59,930 (state: $56,303)
> Median home value: $129,200 (state: $141,700)
> Home ownership rate: 67.0% (state: 69.1%)
> Location: Johnson County
> Population: 25,106
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Iowa: Marion
> Home value to income ratio: 2.3-to-1 (state: 2.4-to-1)
> Median household income: $72,150 (state: $60,523)
> Median home value: $168,700 (state: $147,800)
> Home ownership rate: 77.8% (state: 71.1%)
> Location: Linn County
> Population: 39,328
Source: Melissa Bower / Wikimedia Commons
Kansas: Lansing
> Home value to income ratio: 1.9-to-1 (state: 2.5-to-1)
> Median household income: $89,213 (state: $59,597)
> Median home value: $173,000 (state: $151,900)
> Home ownership rate: 73.1% (state: 66.3%)
> Location: Leavenworth County
> Population: 11,900
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Source: Mhuy222 / Wikimedia Commons
Kentucky: Erlanger
> Home value to income ratio: 2.1-to-1 (state: 2.8-to-1)
> Median household income: $64,460 (state: $50,589)
> Median home value: $136,100 (state: $141,000)
> Home ownership rate: 67.6% (state: 67.2%)
> Location: Kenton County
> Population: 18,967
Source: Courtesy of Andrew H. via Yelp
Louisiana: Estelle
> Home value to income ratio: 2.3-to-1 (state: 3.3-to-1)
> Median household income: $68,051 (state: $49,469)
> Median home value: $157,700 (state: $163,100)
> Home ownership rate: 82.8% (state: 65.6%)
> Location: Jefferson Parish
> Population: 17,968
Maine: Saco
> Home value to income ratio: 3.7-to-1 (state: 3.3-to-1)
> Median household income: $70,517 (state: $57,918)
> Median home value: $258,900 (state: $190,400)
> Home ownership rate: 65.5% (state: 72.3%)
> Location: York County
> Population: 19,497
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Source: Courtesy of David W. via Yelp
Maryland: Friendly
> Home value to income ratio: 2.5-to-1 (state: 3.7-to-1)
> Median household income: $130,577 (state: $84,805)
> Median home value: $320,700 (state: $314,800)
> Home ownership rate: 94.0% (state: 66.9%)
> Location: Prince George’s County
> Population: 10,051
Source: Jennifer Yakey-Ault / iStock via Getty Images
Massachusetts: Longmeadow
> Home value to income ratio: 2.8-to-1 (state: 4.7-to-1)
> Median household income: $122,035 (state: $81,215)
> Median home value: $343,700 (state: $381,600)
> Home ownership rate: 90.1% (state: 62.4%)
> Location: Hampden County
> Population: 15,791
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Michigan: Allen Park
> Home value to income ratio: 1.8-to-1 (state: 2.7-to-1)
> Median household income: $67,130 (state: $57,144)
> Median home value: $123,800 (state: $154,900)
> Home ownership rate: 84.0% (state: 71.2%)
> Location: Wayne County
> Population: 27,216
Source: McGhiever / Wikimedia Commons
Minnesota: St. Michael
> Home value to income ratio: 2.4-to-1 (state: 3.1-to-1)
> Median household income: $114,015 (state: $71,306)
> Median home value: $270,600 (state: $223,900)
> Home ownership rate: 87.5% (state: 71.6%)
> Location: Wright County
> Population: 17,586
Mississippi: Byram
> Home value to income ratio: 2.1-to-1 (state: 2.6-to-1)
> Median household income: $66,641 (state: $45,081)
> Median home value: $141,700 (state: $119,000)
> Home ownership rate: 70.3% (state: 68.2%)
> Location: Hinds County
> Population: 11,578
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Source: Courtesy of Felicia Z. via Yelp
Missouri: Old Jamestown
> Home value to income ratio: 2.0-to-1 (state: 2.8-to-1)
> Median household income: $88,904 (state: $55,461)
> Median home value: $176,800 (state: $157,200)
> Home ownership rate: 92.1% (state: 66.8%)
> Location: St. Louis County
> Population: 19,777
Source: wellesenterprises / Getty Images
Montana: Billings
> Home value to income ratio: 3.7-to-1 (state: 4.2-to-1)
> Median household income: $59,656 (state: $54,970)
> Median home value: $221,100 (state: $230,600)
> Home ownership rate: 63.0% (state: 68.1%)
> Location: Yellowstone County
> Population: 109,595
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Source: Shelby L. Bell / Flickr
Nebraska: Chalco
> Home value to income ratio: 1.9-to-1 (state: 2.5-to-1)
> Median household income: $80,896 (state: $61,439)
> Median home value: $153,100 (state: $155,800)
> Home ownership rate: 75.3% (state: 66.1%)
> Location: Sarpy County
> Population: 10,952
Source: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons
Nevada: Spring Creek
> Home value to income ratio: 2.3-to-1 (state: 4.4-to-1)
> Median household income: $99,854 (state: $60,365)
> Median home value: $232,900 (state: $267,900)
> Home ownership rate: 88.7% (state: 56.3%)
> Location: Elko County
> Population: 13,671
New Hampshire: Londonderry
> Home value to income ratio: 3.2-to-1 (state: 3.4-to-1)
> Median household income: $97,596 (state: $76,768)
> Median home value: $310,200 (state: $261,700)
> Home ownership rate: 79.2% (state: 71.1%)
> Location: Rockingham County
> Population: 11,841
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Source: Courtesy of Tatiana D. via Yelp
New Jersey: Greentree
> Home value to income ratio: 2.4-to-1 (state: 4.1-to-1)
> Median household income: $137,346 (state: $82,545)
> Median home value: $325,600 (state: $335,600)
> Home ownership rate: 85.9% (state: 63.9%)
> Location: Camden County
> Population: 11,262
Source: Simon Foot / Flickr
New Mexico: Carlsbad
> Home value to income ratio: 2.0-to-1 (state: 3.4-to-1)
> Median household income: $69,193 (state: $49,754)
> Median home value: $141,300 (state: $171,400)
> Home ownership rate: 67.8% (state: 67.7%)
> Location: Eddy County
> Population: 29,158
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Source: Doug Kerr / Flickr
New York: Fairmount
> Home value to income ratio: 1.9-to-1 (state: 4.6-to-1)
> Median household income: $69,875 (state: $68,486)
> Median home value: $130,400 (state: $313,700)
> Home ownership rate: 77.3% (state: 53.9%)
> Location: Onondaga County
> Population: 10,092
Source: Southern Foodways Alliance / Flickr
North Carolina: Lewisville
> Home value to income ratio: 2.5-to-1 (state: 3.2-to-1)
> Median household income: $78,464 (state: $54,602)
> Median home value: $195,400 (state: $172,500)
> Home ownership rate: 86.0% (state: 65.2%)
> Location: Forsyth County
> Population: 13,861
Source: Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) / Wikimedia Commons
North Dakota: Williston
> Home value to income ratio: 2.8-to-1 (state: 3.0-to-1)
> Median household income: $84,710 (state: $64,894)
> Median home value: $238,700 (state: $193,900)
> Home ownership rate: 46.1% (state: 62.4%)
> Location: Williams County
> Population: 27,250
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Source: THD3 / Wikimedia Commons
Ohio: South Euclid
> Home value to income ratio: 1.6-to-1 (state: 2.6-to-1)
> Median household income: $61,078 (state: $56,602)
> Median home value: $100,200 (state: $145,700)
> Home ownership rate: 72.4% (state: 66.1%)
> Location: Cuyahoga County
> Population: 21,572
Oklahoma: Glenpool
> Home value to income ratio: 2.1-to-1 (state: 2.6-to-1)
> Median household income: $67,703 (state: $52,919)
> Median home value: $139,000 (state: $136,800)
> Home ownership rate: 73.8% (state: 65.6%)
> Location: Tulsa County
> Population: 13,666
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Oregon: Sandy
> Home value to income ratio: 3.8-to-1 (state: 5.0-to-1)
> Median household income: $73,443 (state: $62,818)
> Median home value: $281,300 (state: $312,200)
> Home ownership rate: 73.1% (state: 62.4%)
> Location: Clackamas County
> Population: 11,070
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Source: Leepaxton / Wikimedia Commons
Pennsylvania: Plum
> Home value to income ratio: 2.0-to-1 (state: 2.9-to-1)
> Median household income: $78,709 (state: $61,744)
> Median home value: $153,700 (state: $180,200)
> Home ownership rate: 79.6% (state: 68.9%)
> Location: Allegheny County
> Population: 27,195
Source: Courtesy of Alan B. via Yelp
Rhode Island: Valley Falls
> Home value to income ratio: 2.9-to-1 (state: 3.9-to-1)
> Median household income: $83,090 (state: $67,167)
> Median home value: $239,000 (state: $261,900)
> Home ownership rate: 67.7% (state: 60.8%)
> Location: Providence County
> Population: 11,882
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Source: ScottNodine / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
South Carolina: Irmo
> Home value to income ratio: 1.9-to-1 (state: 3.1-to-1)
> Median household income: $66,313 (state: $53,199)
> Median home value: $125,000 (state: $162,300)
> Home ownership rate: 76.2% (state: 69.4%)
> Location: Richland County
> Population: 12,215
Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
South Dakota: Pierre
> Home value to income ratio: 2.8-to-1 (state: 2.9-to-1)
> Median household income: $62,192 (state: $58,275)
> Median home value: $175,600 (state: $167,100)
> Home ownership rate: 64.7% (state: 67.8%)
> Location: Hughes County
> Population: 13,961
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Source: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) / Wikimedia Commons
Tennessee: Bartlett
> Home value to income ratio: 2.2-to-1 (state: 3.1-to-1)
> Median household income: $84,688 (state: $53,320)
> Median home value: $185,100 (state: $167,200)
> Home ownership rate: 85.2% (state: 66.3%)
> Location: Shelby County
> Population: 59,102
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Source: departmentofenergy / Flickr
Texas: Nederland
> Home value to income ratio: 1.7-to-1 (state: 2.8-to-1)
> Median household income: $79,903 (state: $61,874)
> Median home value: $132,700 (state: $172,500)
> Home ownership rate: 72.2% (state: 62.0%)
> Location: Jefferson County
> Population: 17,357
Source: Ntsimp / Wikimedia Commons
Utah: West Point
> Home value to income ratio: 2.7-to-1 (state: 3.9-to-1)
> Median household income: $92,655 (state: $71,621)
> Median home value: $254,500 (state: $279,100)
> Home ownership rate: 91.3% (state: 70.2%)
> Location: Davis County
> Population: 10,615
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Vermont: Essex Junction
> Home value to income ratio: 3.7-to-1 (state: 3.7-to-1)
> Median household income: $80,019 (state: $61,973)
> Median home value: $298,200 (state: $227,700)
> Home ownership rate: 65.4% (state: 70.8%)
> Location: Chittenden County
> Population: 10,603
Source: Rain0975 / Flickr
Virginia: Brandermill
> Home value to income ratio: 2.5-to-1 (state: 3.7-to-1)
> Median household income: $101,426 (state: $74,222)
> Median home value: $257,000 (state: $273,100)
> Home ownership rate: 69.2% (state: 66.3%)
> Location: Chesterfield County
> Population: 13,836
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Source: Williamborg / Wikimedia Commons
Washington: West Richland
> Home value to income ratio: 2.7-to-1 (state: 4.6-to-1)
> Median household income: $99,817 (state: $73,775)
> Median home value: $270,500 (state: $339,000)
> Home ownership rate: 84.1% (state: 63.0%)
> Location: Benton County
> Population: 14,495
Source: Jon Dawson / Flickr
West Virginia: Weirton
> Home value to income ratio: 1.9-to-1 (state: 2.6-to-1)
> Median household income: $49,496 (state: $46,711)
> Median home value: $94,800 (state: $119,600)
> Home ownership rate: 67.0% (state: 73.2%)
> Location: Hancock County
> Population: 18,670
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Wisconsin: Harrison
> Home value to income ratio: 2.1-to-1 (state: 2.9-to-1)
> Median household income: $107,225 (state: $61,747)
> Median home value: $223,300 (state: $180,600)
> Home ownership rate: 96.6% (state: 67.0%)
> Location: Calumet County
> Population: 12,009
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Source: Brittany Grant / iStock via Getty Images
Wyoming: Gillette
> Home value to income ratio: 2.7-to-1 (state: 3.4-to-1)
> Median household income: $79,789 (state: $64,049)
> Median home value: $216,400 (state: $220,500)
> Home ownership rate: 69.9% (state: 70.4%)
> Location: Campbell County
> Population: 32,857
Methodology:
To determine the least expensive place to live in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year data on median home value and median household income from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. Cities, towns, villages, and census-designated places were ranked based on the ratio of median home value to median household income. Places with the lowest ratio of median home value to median household income were considered the least expensive. Supplemental data on poverty rate, homeownership rate, and population also came from the 2019 ACS.
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