In May 2023 the median home listing price reached $441,000, up from $430,000 in April. Despite the increase, the price is down from a record high of $449,000 in June 2022. The yearly growth rate in median list price of 0.9% is down from 2.5% in April and is the lowest price growth seen since 2016. These cooling trends are hopeful for those looking to buy, especially after the surge in home prices in 2021. (These are the states where home values increased the most during COVID.)
Another sign of improvement for home buyers is that the percentage of average wages needed to cover homeownership expenses has fallen slightly to 29.9% in the first quarter, according to property data provider ATTOM. However, this is still higher than the common lending standard, which allows for a debt-to-income ratio of 28%, that is, home-related expenses should not exceed 28% of wages.
While nationwide the ratio is higher than the industry standard, meaning homes are unaffordable, in a number of places the ratio is far lower and homes are considerably more affordable.
To find the 25 counties where homes are most affordable, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed U.S. Home Affordability Report for the first quarter of 2023 ATTOM, a property data provider. The report determined affordability for average wage earners in 572 counties by calculating the amount of income needed for major home ownership expenses on a median-priced home, assuming a loan of 80% of the purchase price and a 28% maximum “front-end” debt-to-income ratio. Counties are ranked by the percent of annual wages needed to afford median monthly housing costs.
In all of the counties with the most affordable homes, the percentage of average local wages needed to cover homeownership costs is below 17%, considerably below the 29.9% nationwide standard.
Most of the counties on this list are in the Midwest, the South, and the mid-Atlantic, with five each in Illinois and Pennsylvania. Many of the counties are smaller, with populations under 200,000. However, a few larger outliers are Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, with a population of 1.6 million, and Wayne County, Michigan, with a population nearing 1.8 million. (These are the cities where people need the smallest downpayments to buy their home)
The report also calculated the wage required to afford a median-priced home. The median home price of $320,000 in the first quarter of 2023 requires an annual wage of $78,416, based on the same assumptions, higher than the average annual wage nationwide of $70,460. In all the counties on this list, the required annual wage is lower than the local average wage and is below $35,200.
Click here to see the counties with the most affordable homes in America.
Click here to read our detailed methodology.
Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
26. Delaware County, Indiana
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 16.5%
> Average annual wages: $49,673 – #80 lowest (8.7% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $125,000 – #19 lowest (20.2% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $31,153
> Population: 112,480
> Part of: Muncie, IN, metro area
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
25. Jackson County, Michigan
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 16.4%
> Average annual wages: $57,694 – #272 highest (4.4% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $138,450 – #36 lowest (-7.6% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $38,072
> Population: 160,765
> Part of: Jackson, MI, metro area
24. Terrebonne County, Louisiana
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 16.2%
> Average annual wages: $57,603 – #275 highest (10.0% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $149,900 – #48 lowest (-11.8% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $35,624
> Population: 110,100
> Part of: Houma-Thibodaux, LA, metro area
Source: Althom / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
23. Beaver County, Pennsylvania
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 16.1%
> Average annual wages: $59,462 – #232 highest (-0.1% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $131,050 – #28 lowest (-9.6% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $41,175
> Population: 168,260
> Part of: Pittsburgh, PA, metro area
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
22. Kanawha County, West Virginia
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 16.0%
> Average annual wages: $56,186 – #262 lowest (5.4% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $140,000 – #37 lowest (0.7% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $32,630
> Population: 181,953
> Part of: Charleston, WV, metro area
Source: benedek / E+ via Getty Images
21. Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 16.0%
> Average annual wages: $78,845 – #46 highest (5.9% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $194,750 – #115 lowest (-11.5% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $51,271
> Population: 1,596,865
> Part of: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, metro area
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Source: halbergman / iStock via Getty Images
20. Fayette County, Pennsylvania
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 15.9%
> Average annual wages: $47,541 – #45 lowest (7.3% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $117,650 – #12 lowest (17.0% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $27,631
> Population: 129,443
> Part of: Pittsburgh, PA, metro area
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19. Saint Lawrence County, New York
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 15.8%
> Average annual wages: $55,705 – #248 lowest (6.8% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $112,282 – #8 lowest (22.7% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $25,924
> Population: 108,836
> Part of: Ogdensburg-Massena, NY, metro area
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
18. Calcasieu County, Louisiana
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 15.6%
> Average annual wages: $59,878 – #223 highest (5.6% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $149,950 – #50 lowest (-13.1% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $40,061
> Population: 212,646
> Part of: Lake Charles, LA, metro area
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
17. Mercer County, Pennsylvania
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 15.5%
> Average annual wages: $50,752 – #105 lowest (7.3% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $112,600 – #9 lowest (-2.1% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $31,546
> Population: 111,216
> Part of: Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA, metro area
16. Jefferson County, Alabama
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 15.2%
> Average annual wages: $66,911 – #179 highest (6.9% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $159,950 – #76 lowest (-11.1% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $44,978
> Population: 672,550
> Part of: Birmingham-Hoover, AL, metro area
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
15. Calhoun County, Michigan
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 15.2%
> Average annual wages: $61,165 – #25 lowest (3.6% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $132,000 – #20 lowest (1.5% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $32,028
> Population: 134,207
> Part of: Battle Creek, MI, metro area
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Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
14. Sangamon County, Illinois
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 15.2%
> Average annual wages: $62,855 – #182 highest (3.3% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $125,000 – #19 lowest (-7.4% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $39,920
> Population: 196,759
> Part of: Springfield, IL, metro area
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
13. Saint Louis City County, Missouri
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 14.9%
> Average annual wages: $72,839 – #68 highest (5.6% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $160,000 – #67 lowest (2.5% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $41,583
> Population: 302,787
> Part of: St. Louis, MO-IL, metro area
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Source: pabradyphoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
12. Lucas County, Ohio
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 14.5%
> Average annual wages: $58,292 – #254 highest (6.4% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $115,000 – #11 lowest (-8.0% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $35,293
> Population: 431,212
> Part of: Toledo, OH, metro area
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
11. Caddo County, Louisiana
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 14.5%
> Average annual wages: $54,132 – #197 lowest (7.3% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $120,350 – #15 lowest (-18.7% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $34,146
> Population: 239,775
> Part of: Shreveport-Bossier City, LA, metro area
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10. Robeson County, North Carolina
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 14.5%
> Average annual wages: $43,277 – #7 lowest (6.9% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $97,350 – #4 lowest (-28.7% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $29,708
> Population: 118,836
> Part of: Lumberton, NC, metro area
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Source: ehrlif / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
9. Saginaw County, Michigan
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 14.3%
> Average annual wages: $55,055 – #227 lowest (5.4% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $112,950 – #10 lowest (-5.9% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $33,703
> Population: 190,540
> Part of: Saginaw, MI, metro area
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
8. Montgomery County, Alabama
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 14.1%
> Average annual wages: $55,744 – #250 lowest (6.1% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $128,000 – #23 lowest (-3.7% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $31,100
> Population: 229,072
> Part of: Montgomery, AL, metro area
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Source: Philip Rozenski / Getty Images
7. Saint Clair County, Illinois
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 13.8%
> Average annual wages: $54,366 – #205 lowest (6.2% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $100,000 – #5 lowest (-28.6% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $42,998
> Population: 258,597
> Part of: St. Louis, MO-IL, metro area
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
6. Bibb County, Georgia
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 13.4%
> Average annual wages: $51,506 – #128 lowest (4.5% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $103,500 – #6 lowest (9.1% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $28,574
> Population: 156,711
> Part of: Macon, GA, metro area
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
5. Wayne County, Michigan
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 12.7%
> Average annual wages: $71,851 – #78 highest (5.7% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $130,000 – #27 lowest (-3.7% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $39,607
> Population: 1,789,781
> Part of: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI, metro area
4. Rock Island County, Illinois
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 12.3%
> Average annual wages: $68,172 – #104 highest (4.8% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $106,000 – #7 lowest (-5.9% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $37,402
> Population: 144,694
> Part of: Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL, metro area
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
3. Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 11.1%
> Average annual wages: $51,129 – #112 lowest (7.0% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $79,000 – #1 lowest (36.1% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $21,880
> Population: 143,308
> Part of: Pottsville, PA, metro area
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Source: ghornephoto / iStock via Getty Images
2. Peoria County, Illinois
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 10.4%
> Average annual wages: $70,135 – #87 highest (8.7% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $93,500 – #3 lowest (-6.5% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $32,858
> Population: 182,439
> Part of: Peoria, IL, metro area
Source: Jon Kraft / iStock via Getty Images
1. Macon County, Illinois
> Pct. of local avg. wages needed to afford monthly housing costs: 9.9%
> Average annual wages: $64,259 – #161 highest (7.7% YOY growth)
> Median home sales price, Q1 2023: $82,000 – #2 lowest (-5.7% YOY growth)
> Annual wages needed to buy a median priced home: $26,677
> Population: 104,331
> Part of: Decatur, IL, metro area
Methodology
To find the 25 counties where homes are most affordable, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed U.S. Home Affordability Report for the first quarter of 2023 from property data provider ATTOM, which considered 572 U.S. counties. Counties are ranked by the percent of annual wages needed to afford median monthly housing costs. All data is from the report for the first quarter of 2023. For annual wages, Attom annualized weekly wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The report determined affordability for average wage earners by calculating the amount of income needed for major homeownership expenses — such as property taxes, home insurance, mortgage payments, and mortgage insurance — on a median-priced home, assuming a loan of 80% of the purchase price (20% down payment) and a 28% maximum “front-end” debt-to-income ratio. Attom used average 30-year fixed interest rates from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey to calculate monthly house payments.
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