Special Report

The Most Expensive Zip Code to Buy a Home in Every State

felixmizioznikov / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

The COVID-19 pandemic fueled a surge in demand among homebuyers that is only now beginning to show signs of slowing. This historic demand coincided with low borrowing costs, limited housing inventory, and labor and materials bottlenecks that have been hampering new construction. These factors have pushed home values to all time highs. 

Of course, in some parts of the country, exorbitant home prices are nothing new. Even before the pandemic, the majority of states had at least one ZIP code where the value of most homes exceeded half a million dollars.

Using data on median home value from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most expensive ZIP code to buy a home in every state. The prices listed here are five year average estimates for 2019, the most recent year of available data from the Census Bureau.

Home values in a given area are often a reflection of what residents can afford. And not surprisingly, the vast majority of the places on this list have a median household income that exceeds the median across the state as a whole. Here is a look at the richest town in every state

High home prices in these communities do not appear to be discouraging homebuyers. In most ZIP codes on this list, the homeownership rate exceeds the comparable rate across the state as a whole. Here is a look at how much home you can buy for $200,000 in every state.

Click here to see the most expensive zip code to buy a home in every state
Click here to read our detailed methodology

Alabama: 35213
> Location: Mountain Brook, Alabama
> Median home value: $541,400 (Alabama: $142,700)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,266 (Alabama: $1,186)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 65.4% (Alabama: 56.2%)
> Homeownership rate: 75.7% (Alabama: 68.8%)
> Median household income: $122,379 (Alabama: $50,536)

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Source: yenwen / Getty Images

Alaska: 99516
> Location: Anchorage, Alaska
> Median home value: $464,300 (Alaska: $270,400)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,902 (Alaska: $1,933)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 68.9% (Alaska: 62.9%)
> Homeownership rate: 92.7% (Alaska: 64.3%)
> Median household income: $155,354 (Alaska: $77,640)

Source: Focqus, LLC / Getty Images

Arizona: 85253
> Location: Paradise Valley, Arizona
> Median home value: $1,248,000 (Arizona: $225,500)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (Arizona: $1,434)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 56.9% (Arizona: 63.8%)
> Homeownership rate: 83.1% (Arizona: 64.4%)
> Median household income: $163,750 (Arizona: $58,945)

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Arkansas: 72223
> Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
> Median home value: $345,800 (Arkansas: $127,800)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,224 (Arkansas: $1,089)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 68.2% (Arkansas: 54.5%)
> Homeownership rate: 64.1% (Arkansas: 65.6%)
> Median household income: $96,692 (Arkansas: $47,597)

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California: 94027
> Location: Atherton, California
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ (California: $505,000)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (California: $2,357)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 54.4% (California: 70.3%)
> Homeownership rate: 92.4% (California: 54.8%)
> Median household income: $250,000+ (California: $75,235)

Source: beklaus / Getty Images

Colorado: 80304
> Location: Boulder, Colorado
> Median home value: $832,200 (Colorado: $343,300)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,570 (Colorado: $1,744)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 62.4% (Colorado: 71.3%)
> Homeownership rate: 68.2% (Colorado: 65.2%)
> Median household income: $99,132 (Colorado: $72,331)

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Source: By Noroton at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by DanTD., / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Connecticut: 06878
> Location: Riverside, Connecticut
> Median home value: $1,529,300 (Connecticut: $275,400)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (Connecticut: $2,119)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 70.8% (Connecticut: 67.8%)
> Homeownership rate: 81.8% (Connecticut: 66.1%)
> Median household income: $222,188 (Connecticut: $78,444)

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Delaware: 19807
> Location: Greenville, Delaware
> Median home value: $755,500 (Delaware: $251,100)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $3,319 (Delaware: $1,587)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 57.3% (Delaware: 65.0%)
> Homeownership rate: 73.8% (Delaware: 71.2%)
> Median household income: $128,235 (Delaware: $68,287)

Source: Art Wager / Getty Images

Florida: 33149
> Location: Key Biscayne, Florida
> Median home value: $1,208,300 (Florida: $215,300)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (Florida: $1,503)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 50.8% (Florida: 56.8%)
> Homeownership rate: 69.6% (Florida: 65.4%)
> Median household income: $151,190 (Florida: $55,660)

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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Georgia: 30327
> Location: Atlanta, Georgia
> Median home value: $877,400 (Georgia: $176,000)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (Georgia: $1,417)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 63.7% (Georgia: 65.1%)
> Homeownership rate: 77.1% (Georgia: 63.3%)
> Median household income: $155,219 (Georgia: $58,700)

Source: JMKnewLife / Getty Images

Hawaii: 96821
> Location: East Honolulu, Hawaii
> Median home value: $1,104,000 (Hawaii: $615,300)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $3,645 (Hawaii: $2,418)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 61.1% (Hawaii: 65.1%)
> Homeownership rate: 84.9% (Hawaii: 58.9%)
> Median household income: $143,032 (Hawaii: $81,275)

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Source: alicescully / iStock via Getty Images

Idaho: 83340
> Location: Ketchum, Idaho
> Median home value: $670,100 (Idaho: $212,300)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $1,739 (Idaho: $1,270)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 50.9% (Idaho: 64.6%)
> Homeownership rate: 68.3% (Idaho: 70.0%)
> Median household income: $57,417 (Idaho: $55,785)

Source: UrAveragePhotographer / Getty Images

Illinois: 60093
> Location: Winnetka, Illinois
> Median home value: $957,900 (Illinois: $194,500)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (Illinois: $1,693)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 63.8% (Illinois: 63.3%)
> Homeownership rate: 88.2% (Illinois: 66.1%)
> Median household income: $194,750 (Illinois: $65,886)

Indiana: 46077
> Location: Zionsville, Indiana
> Median home value: $385,400 (Indiana: $141,700)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,311 (Indiana: $1,148)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 80.7% (Indiana: 65.5%)
> Homeownership rate: 84.6% (Indiana: 69.1%)
> Median household income: $138,686 (Indiana: $56,303)

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Source: NNehring / iStock via Getty Images

Iowa: 50323
> Location: Urbandale, Iowa
> Median home value: $339,600 (Iowa: $147,800)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,042 (Iowa: $1,260)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 82.5% (Iowa: 60.6%)
> Homeownership rate: 93.1% (Iowa: 71.1%)
> Median household income: $145,777 (Iowa: $60,523)

Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

Kansas: 66211
> Location: Leawood, Kansas
> Median home value: $569,500 (Kansas: $151,900)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $3,098 (Kansas: $1,378)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 56.1% (Kansas: 59.4%)
> Homeownership rate: 65.8% (Kansas: 66.3%)
> Median household income: $117,951 (Kansas: $59,597)

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Source: djbanks / iStock via Getty Images

Kentucky: 40059
> Location: Prospect, Kentucky
> Median home value: $446,900 (Kentucky: $141,000)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,700 (Kentucky: $1,178)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 63.0% (Kentucky: 57.7%)
> Homeownership rate: 90.7% (Kentucky: 67.2%)
> Median household income: $150,736 (Kentucky: $50,589)

Source: Konoplytska / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Louisiana: 70115
> Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
> Median home value: $462,900 (Louisiana: $163,100)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,448 (Louisiana: $1,295)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 62.0% (Louisiana: 52.3%)
> Homeownership rate: 50.2% (Louisiana: 65.6%)
> Median household income: $66,499 (Louisiana: $49,469)

Source: GrandviewGraphics / iStock via Getty Images

Maine: 03907
> Location: Ogunquit, Maine
> Median home value: $526,800 (Maine: $190,400)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,382 (Maine: $1,398)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 47.0% (Maine: 61.7%)
> Homeownership rate: 79.0% (Maine: 72.3%)
> Median household income: $60,500 (Maine: $57,918)

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Source: Coast-to-Coast / iStock via Getty Images

Maryland: 20815
> Location: Chevy Chase, Maryland
> Median home value: $1,004,300 (Maryland: $314,800)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (Maryland: $2,017)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 66.0% (Maryland: 72.9%)
> Homeownership rate: 63.1% (Maryland: 66.9%)
> Median household income: $156,686 (Maryland: $84,805)

Massachusetts: 02493
> Location: Weston, Massachusetts
> Median home value: $1,312,300 (Massachusetts: $381,600)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (Massachusetts: $2,225)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 62.7% (Massachusetts: 69.2%)
> Homeownership rate: 85.8% (Massachusetts: 62.4%)
> Median household income: $207,702 (Massachusetts: $81,215)

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Source: smontgom65 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Michigan: 48009
> Location: Birmingham, Michigan
> Median home value: $541,500 (Michigan: $154,900)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,859 (Michigan: $1,298)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 64.4% (Michigan: 60.1%)
> Homeownership rate: 74.1% (Michigan: 71.2%)
> Median household income: $122,804 (Michigan: $57,144)

Source: gurineb / iStock via Getty Images

Minnesota: 55424
> Location: Edina, Minnesota
> Median home value: $692,700 (Minnesota: $223,900)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $3,217 (Minnesota: $1,580)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 68.4% (Minnesota: 66.3%)
> Homeownership rate: 91.0% (Minnesota: 71.6%)
> Median household income: $171,125 (Minnesota: $71,306)

Source: C5Media / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Mississippi: 39110
> Location: Madison, Mississippi
> Median home value: $261,100 (Mississippi: $119,000)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $1,656 (Mississippi: $1,147)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 75.3% (Mississippi: 49.4%)
> Homeownership rate: 94.0% (Mississippi: 68.2%)
> Median household income: $109,270 (Mississippi: $45,081)

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Source: Courtesy of the City of Ladue, Missouri

Missouri: 63124
> Location: Ladue, Missouri
> Median home value: $791,300 (Missouri: $157,200)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $3,530 (Missouri: $1,277)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 65.7% (Missouri: 61.5%)
> Homeownership rate: 72.8% (Missouri: 66.8%)
> Median household income: $166,750 (Missouri: $55,461)

Source: NicolasMcComber / iStock via Getty Images

Montana: 59730
> Location: Big Sky, Montana
> Median home value: $586,300 (Montana: $230,600)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,148 (Montana: $1,429)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 53.3% (Montana: 56.7%)
> Homeownership rate: 74.8% (Montana: 68.1%)
> Median household income: $75,912 (Montana: $54,970)

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Source: Matt Bills / Getty Images

Nebraska: 68022
> Location: Omaha, Nebraska
> Median home value: $332,300 (Nebraska: $155,800)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,343 (Nebraska: $1,386)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 80.0% (Nebraska: 60.5%)
> Homeownership rate: 75.3% (Nebraska: 66.1%)
> Median household income: $105,956 (Nebraska: $61,439)

Nevada: 89451
> Location: Incline Village, Nevada
> Median home value: $884,700 (Nevada: $267,900)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,745 (Nevada: $1,524)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 66.1% (Nevada: 68.0%)
> Homeownership rate: 72.2% (Nevada: 56.3%)
> Median household income: $99,203 (Nevada: $60,365)

New Hampshire: 03870
> Location: Rye, New Hampshire
> Median home value: $690,700 (New Hampshire: $261,700)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,744 (New Hampshire: $1,948)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 56.8% (New Hampshire: 65.8%)
> Homeownership rate: 81.3% (New Hampshire: 71.1%)
> Median household income: $122,602 (New Hampshire: $76,768)

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Source: Daniel Case / Wikimedia Commons

New Jersey: 07078
> Location: Short Hills, New Jersey
> Median home value: $1,391,900 (New Jersey: $335,600)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (New Jersey: $2,465)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 70.1% (New Jersey: 66.8%)
> Homeownership rate: 90.2% (New Jersey: 63.9%)
> Median household income: $250,000+ (New Jersey: $82,545)

Source: ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images

New Mexico: 87122
> Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
> Median home value: $492,100 (New Mexico: $171,400)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,550 (New Mexico: $1,280)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 64.8% (New Mexico: 54.2%)
> Homeownership rate: 88.2% (New Mexico: 67.7%)
> Median household income: $120,325 (New Mexico: $49,754)

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Source: GCShutter / Getty Images

New York: 10282
> Location: New York, New York
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ (New York: $313,700)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (New York: $2,155)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 49.1% (New York: 60.8%)
> Homeownership rate: 9.3% (New York: 53.9%)
> Median household income: $250,000+ (New York: $68,486)

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

North Carolina: 28207
> Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
> Median home value: $989,600 (North Carolina: $172,500)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $3,877 (North Carolina: $1,314)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 70.6% (North Carolina: 63.2%)
> Homeownership rate: 75.5% (North Carolina: 65.2%)
> Median household income: $136,333 (North Carolina: $54,602)

North Dakota: 58047
> Location: Horace, North Dakota
> Median home value: $360,100 (North Dakota: $193,900)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,014 (North Dakota: $1,426)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 50.7% (North Dakota: 53.5%)
> Homeownership rate: 97.1% (North Dakota: 62.4%)
> Median household income: $133,792 (North Dakota: $64,894)

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Source: By Jf1123581321 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35514750 / Wikimedia Commons

Ohio: 44040
> Location: Gates Mills, Ohio
> Median home value: $438,500 (Ohio: $145,700)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $3,014 (Ohio: $1,282)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 52.1% (Ohio: 62.9%)
> Homeownership rate: 95.6% (Ohio: 66.1%)
> Median household income: $157,132 (Ohio: $56,602)

Source: MARELBU / Wikimedia Commons

Oklahoma: 73025
> Location: Edmond, Oklahoma
> Median home value: $342,200 (Oklahoma: $136,800)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,289 (Oklahoma: $1,234)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 73.3% (Oklahoma: 54.9%)
> Homeownership rate: 96.9% (Oklahoma: 65.6%)
> Median household income: $129,464 (Oklahoma: $52,919)

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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Oregon: 97210
> Location: Portland, Oregon
> Median home value: $770,500 (Oregon: $312,200)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $3,257 (Oregon: $1,699)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 63.6% (Oregon: 66.2%)
> Homeownership rate: 39.5% (Oregon: 62.4%)
> Median household income: $77,845 (Oregon: $62,818)

Source: By Smallbones - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21611283 / Wikimedia Commons

Pennsylvania: 19035
> Location: Gladwyne, Pennsylvania
> Median home value: $927,100 (Pennsylvania: $180,200)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (Pennsylvania: $1,494)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 57.6% (Pennsylvania: 60.1%)
> Homeownership rate: 82.9% (Pennsylvania: 68.9%)
> Median household income: $205,764 (Pennsylvania: $61,744)

Rhode Island: 02835
> Location: Jamestown, Rhode Island
> Median home value: $656,800 (Rhode Island: $261,900)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,755 (Rhode Island: $1,860)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 57.5% (Rhode Island: 68.4%)
> Homeownership rate: 82.9% (Rhode Island: 60.8%)
> Median household income: $111,110 (Rhode Island: $67,167)

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Source: digidreamgrafix / iStock via Getty Images

South Carolina: 29482
> Location: Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina
> Median home value: $1,773,100 (South Carolina: $162,300)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (South Carolina: $1,246)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 60.8% (South Carolina: 58.3%)
> Homeownership rate: 82.7% (South Carolina: 69.4%)
> Median household income: $136,528 (South Carolina: $53,199)

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

South Dakota: 57108
> Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
> Median home value: $296,200 (South Dakota: $167,100)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,073 (South Dakota: $1,340)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 66.3% (South Dakota: 55.6%)
> Homeownership rate: 72.1% (South Dakota: 67.8%)
> Median household income: $90,361 (South Dakota: $58,275)

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Source: JacobH / iStock via Getty Images

Tennessee: 37215
> Location: Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee
> Median home value: $645,200 (Tennessee: $167,200)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,802 (Tennessee: $1,244)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 58.8% (Tennessee: 59.2%)
> Homeownership rate: 76.6% (Tennessee: 66.3%)
> Median household income: $127,203 (Tennessee: $53,320)

Source: Drumguy8800 / Wikimedia Commons

Texas: 75205
> Location: University Park, Texas
> Median home value: $1,201,800 (Texas: $172,500)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (Texas: $1,606)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 61.9% (Texas: 57.4%)
> Homeownership rate: 65.6% (Texas: 62.0%)
> Median household income: $156,636 (Texas: $61,874)

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

Utah: 84060
> Location: Park City, Utah
> Median home value: $1,056,500 (Utah: $279,100)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,405 (Utah: $1,551)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 58.5% (Utah: 70.5%)
> Homeownership rate: 63.5% (Utah: 70.2%)
> Median household income: $111,604 (Utah: $71,621)

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Vermont: 05445
> Location: Charlotte, Vermont
> Median home value: $538,100 (Vermont: $227,700)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,660 (Vermont: $1,621)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 62.3% (Vermont: 62.6%)
> Homeownership rate: 91.0% (Vermont: 70.8%)
> Median household income: $108,611 (Vermont: $61,973)

Source: Douglas Rissing / Getty Images

Virginia: 22066
> Location: Great Falls, Virginia
> Median home value: $1,084,200 (Virginia: $273,100)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (Virginia: $1,799)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 72.7% (Virginia: 68.7%)
> Homeownership rate: 95.9% (Virginia: 66.3%)
> Median household income: $228,067 (Virginia: $74,222)

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Source: Dmitri Kotchetov / iStock via Getty Images

Washington: 98039
> Location: Medina, Washington
> Median home value: $2,000,000+ (Washington: $339,000)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ (Washington: $1,886)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 59.4% (Washington: 68.5%)
> Homeownership rate: 86.4% (Washington: 63.0%)
> Median household income: $212,337 (Washington: $73,775)

Source: EyeJoy / iStock via Getty Images

West Virginia: 25443
> Location: Shepherdstown, West Virginia
> Median home value: $295,400 (West Virginia: $119,600)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $1,756 (West Virginia: $1,050)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 66.1% (West Virginia: 46.6%)
> Homeownership rate: 76.5% (West Virginia: 73.2%)
> Median household income: $91,250 (West Virginia: $46,711)

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Wisconsin: 53726
> Location: Madison, Wisconsin
> Median home value: $465,400 (Wisconsin: $180,600)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,658 (Wisconsin: $1,430)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 64.3% (Wisconsin: 63.9%)
> Homeownership rate: 32.9% (Wisconsin: 67.0%)
> Median household income: $37,976 (Wisconsin: $61,747)

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Source: exit78 / Flickr

Wyoming: 83014
> Location: Moose Wilson Road, Wyoming
> Median home value: $916,200 (Wyoming: $220,500)
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $1,945 (Wyoming: $1,459)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 51.6% (Wyoming: 58.3%)
> Homeownership rate: 78.0% (Wyoming: 70.4%)
> Median household income: $110,711 (Wyoming: $64,049)

Methodology

To determine the most expensive ZIP code to buy a home in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of median owner-occupied home values from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.

We used ZIP Code Tabulation Areas — a census geography type which defines areal representations of United States Postal Service ZIP codes (USPS ZIP codes do not define geographic boundaries but instead are a network of mail delivery routes in a service area). We refer to Census ZCTAs as ZIP codes.

Of the 33,120 ZIP codes the Census publishes data for, 32,936 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states, while the rest were in the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.

ZIP codes were excluded if owner-occupied median home values were not available in the 2019 ACS, if there were fewer than 1,000 housing units, or if the sampling error associated with a ZIP code’s data was deemed too high.

The sampling error was defined as too high if the coefficient of variation — a statistical assessment of how reliable an estimate is — for a ZIP code’s owner-occupied median home value was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all ZIP codes’ owner-occupied median home values. We similarly excluded ZIP codes that had a sampling error too high for their population, using the same definition.

The remaining 17,788 places were ranked within their state based on their owner-occupied median home values. To break ties, we used median monthly housing costs with a mortgage.

In a few cases, median home values were above the upper boundary for which the U.S. Census publishes more precise estimates and instead publishes the boundary ($2,000,000+). To break ties for these areas, we used two proxies: median household income, as areas with higher incomes are correlated with higher home values, and total housing units, as a lower number of housing units implies a smaller supply of homes available if a purchaser wished to live within a given area.

Additional information on median monthly housing costs with a mortgage, the share of owner-occupied housing units that have a mortgage, rates of homeownership, and median household income are also five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.

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