Income needed to buy a house in 292 US cities
Income needed to buy a house: $366,157 was the price of the typical US home in September 2026, 4.5 times a median household income of $81,604. Under the common rule of thumb, which allows a home to cost three years of income at most, a household would need about $122,052 each year.
- The typical home in the US
- $366,157September 2026, Zillow ZHVI
- Median household income, US
- $81,604Census ACS 2024
- US price to income
- 4.5. years of income for one home.
Housing affordability index by city
Divide the typical home value by the median household income and you get the price to income ratio: the number of years of a typical household's pay that the typical home costs. A lower figure means a more affordable city. The most affordable cities come first; sort any column by its heading, or type a city name to find it.
| City | State | Median household income | Typical home value | Price to income | Income under the three-times rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, Mississippi | Mississippi | $44,516 | $83,517 | 1.9 | $27,839 |
| Detroit | Michigan | $39,209 | $74,742 | 1.9 | $24,914 |
| Peoria | Illinois | $65,078 | $136,279 | 2.1 | $45,426 |
| Montgomery | Alabama | $59,292 | $149,943 | 2.5 | $49,981 |
| Toledo | Ohio | $50,562 | $131,766 | 2.6 | $43,922 |
| Birmingham | Alabama | $51,355 | $134,165 | 2.6 | $44,722 |
| Cleveland, Ohio | Ohio | $43,383 | $115,810 | 2.7 | $38,603 |
| Sioux City | Iowa | $74,972 | $200,738 | 2.7 | $66,913 |
| Baltimore | Maryland | $64,778 | $184,804 | 2.9 | $61,601 |
| Akron | Ohio | $48,521 | $138,865 | 2.9 | $46,288 |
| Memphis | Tennessee | $52,679 | $151,794 | 2.9 | $50,598 |
| Shreveport | Louisiana | $50,291 | $145,457 | 2.9 | $48,486 |
| Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | $70,040 | $204,979 | 2.9 | $68,326 |
| Davenport | Iowa | $64,686 | $194,286 | 3.0 | $64,762 |
| Lansing | Michigan | $55,366 | $166,379 | 3.0 | $55,460 |
| Dayton | Ohio | $45,846 | $137,939 | 3.0 | $45,980 |
| Cedar Rapids | Iowa | $69,917 | $215,727 | 3.1 | $71,909 |
| Columbus, Georgia | Georgia | $57,010 | $175,906 | 3.1 | $58,635 |
| Des Moines | Iowa | $67,297 | $208,053 | 3.1 | $69,351 |
| Wichita | Kansas | $65,855 | $204,831 | 3.1 | $68,277 |
| Amarillo | Texas | $67,187 | $209,627 | 3.1 | $69,876 |
| Odessa | Texas | $79,531 | $250,381 | 3.1 | $83,460 |
| Broken Arrow | Oklahoma | $91,077 | $287,424 | 3.2 | $95,808 |
| Augusta | Georgia | $58,803 | $187,663 | 3.2 | $62,554 |
| Topeka | Kansas | $61,030 | $195,299 | 3.2 | $65,100 |
| Fort Smith | Arkansas | $60,306 | $193,081 | 3.2 | $64,360 |
| Brownsville | Texas | $59,491 | $194,705 | 3.3 | $64,902 |
| Sugar Land | Texas | $133,466 | $440,014 | 3.3 | $146,671 |
| Little Rock | Arkansas | $66,553 | $219,657 | 3.3 | $73,219 |
| Corpus Christi | Texas | $66,967 | $222,115 | 3.3 | $74,038 |
| Lubbock | Texas | $62,360 | $210,957 | 3.4 | $70,319 |
| St. Louis | Missouri | $53,374 | $181,157 | 3.4 | $60,386 |
| Indianapolis | Indiana | $66,900 | $227,445 | 3.4 | $75,815 |
| Waco | Texas | $56,548 | $192,729 | 3.4 | $64,243 |
| Huntsville | Alabama | $83,235 | $286,952 | 3.4 | $95,651 |
| Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | $66,954 | $234,620 | 3.5 | $78,207 |
| Rockford | Illinois | $52,564 | $185,067 | 3.5 | $61,689 |
| Norman | Oklahoma | $73,618 | $260,448 | 3.5 | $86,816 |
| Fort Worth | Texas | $82,503 | $292,949 | 3.6 | $97,650 |
| Mobile | Alabama | $55,307 | $196,696 | 3.6 | $65,565 |
| Tyler | Texas | $70,101 | $249,480 | 3.6 | $83,160 |
| Laredo | Texas | $61,519 | $219,517 | 3.6 | $73,172 |
| Tulsa | Oklahoma | $60,930 | $217,760 | 3.6 | $72,587 |
| Kansas City | Missouri | $69,958 | $250,185 | 3.6 | $83,395 |
| Independence | Missouri | $58,535 | $210,944 | 3.6 | $70,315 |
| Killeen | Texas | $60,141 | $217,130 | 3.6 | $72,377 |
| Columbus, Ohio | Ohio | $67,084 | $243,122 | 3.6 | $81,041 |
| Macon | Georgia | $47,018 | $171,522 | 3.6 | $57,174 |
| Round Rock | Texas | $107,677 | $395,851 | 3.7 | $131,950 |
| Abilene | Texas | $60,605 | $223,853 | 3.7 | $74,618 |
| San Antonio | Texas | $66,176 | $244,623 | 3.7 | $81,541 |
| McAllen | Texas | $60,907 | $226,801 | 3.7 | $75,600 |
| Lafayette | Louisiana | $59,445 | $224,537 | 3.8 | $74,846 |
| Rochester, Minnesota | Minnesota | $90,020 | $340,589 | 3.8 | $113,530 |
| McKinney | Texas | $124,177 | $472,867 | 3.8 | $157,622 |
| New Braunfels | Texas | $90,284 | $345,353 | 3.8 | $115,118 |
| Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | $60,521 | $231,584 | 3.8 | $77,195 |
| Louisville | Kentucky | $67,251 | $261,376 | 3.9 | $87,125 |
| Palm Bay | Florida | $77,638 | $303,347 | 3.9 | $101,116 |
| Evansville | Indiana | $52,094 | $203,571 | 3.9 | $67,857 |
| Cape Coral | Florida | $85,584 | $334,660 | 3.9 | $111,553 |
| Milwaukee | Wisconsin | $56,792 | $223,304 | 3.9 | $74,435 |
| Jacksonville | Florida | $72,389 | $284,832 | 3.9 | $94,944 |
| El Paso | Texas | $59,932 | $237,556 | 4.0 | $79,185 |
| Midland | Texas | $82,547 | $328,375 | 4.0 | $109,458 |
| Fort Wayne | Indiana | $61,436 | $245,193 | 4.0 | $81,731 |
| Columbia, Missouri | Missouri | $80,543 | $321,671 | 4.0 | $107,224 |
| Anchorage | Alaska | $105,356 | $422,584 | 4.0 | $140,861 |
| Hartford | Connecticut | $50,418 | $202,489 | 4.0 | $67,496 |
| Kalamazoo | Michigan | $59,226 | $238,251 | 4.0 | $79,417 |
| Greenville | South Carolina | $81,573 | $328,460 | 4.0 | $109,487 |
| Houston | Texas | $64,361 | $259,465 | 4.0 | $86,488 |
| Lincoln | Nebraska | $72,008 | $291,408 | 4.0 | $97,136 |
| Fayetteville, North Carolina | North Carolina | $54,562 | $221,511 | 4.1 | $73,837 |
| Dallas | Texas | $74,323 | $303,442 | 4.1 | $101,147 |
| Yuma | Arizona | $71,828 | $293,382 | 4.1 | $97,794 |
| Greensboro | North Carolina | $63,516 | $260,573 | 4.1 | $86,858 |
| Omaha | Nebraska | $71,640 | $294,607 | 4.1 | $98,202 |
| New Orleans | Louisiana | $58,821 | $241,895 | 4.1 | $80,632 |
| Columbia, South Carolina | South Carolina | $55,233 | $227,148 | 4.1 | $75,716 |
| Naperville | Illinois | $150,360 | $618,458 | 4.1 | $206,153 |
| Arlington, Texas | Texas | $74,388 | $306,472 | 4.1 | $102,157 |
| Chicago | Illinois | $80,613 | $334,108 | 4.1 | $111,369 |
| Scranton | Pennsylvania | $48,762 | $202,099 | 4.1 | $67,366 |
| St. Paul | Minnesota | $70,182 | $291,209 | 4.1 | $97,070 |
| Minneapolis | Minnesota | $77,732 | $328,351 | 4.2 | $109,450 |
| Denton | Texas | $80,908 | $343,177 | 4.2 | $114,392 |
| Ocala | Florida | $61,814 | $263,895 | 4.3 | $87,965 |
| Erie | Pennsylvania | $47,733 | $204,067 | 4.3 | $68,022 |
| Duluth | Minnesota | $69,255 | $296,120 | 4.3 | $98,707 |
| Sioux Falls | South Dakota | $77,208 | $330,625 | 4.3 | $110,208 |
| Plano | Texas | $115,901 | $497,714 | 4.3 | $165,905 |
| Frederick | Maryland | $106,197 | $456,642 | 4.3 | $152,214 |
| Grand Rapids | Michigan | $70,515 | $303,937 | 4.3 | $101,312 |
| Syracuse | New York | $51,770 | $223,201 | 4.3 | $74,400 |
| Atlanta | Georgia | $88,165 | $380,331 | 4.3 | $126,777 |
| Cincinnati | Ohio | $56,910 | $245,743 | 4.3 | $81,914 |
| Fort Myers | Florida | $70,480 | $304,566 | 4.3 | $101,522 |
| Clarksville | Tennessee | $73,465 | $317,914 | 4.3 | $105,971 |
| Green Bay | Wisconsin | $65,820 | $285,670 | 4.3 | $95,223 |
| Daytona Beach | Florida | $57,583 | $251,316 | 4.4 | $83,772 |
| Frisco | Texas | $145,444 | $640,131 | 4.4 | $213,377 |
| Port St. Lucie | Florida | $86,241 | $384,099 | 4.5 | $128,033 |
| Tampa | Florida | $84,114 | $375,619 | 4.5 | $125,206 |
| Springfield, Missouri | Missouri | $54,414 | $243,597 | 4.5 | $81,199 |
| Virginia Beach | Virginia | $94,579 | $424,785 | 4.5 | $141,595 |
| Tuscaloosa | Alabama | $54,212 | $243,681 | 4.5 | $81,227 |
| Winston-Salem | North Carolina | $57,758 | $260,047 | 4.5 | $86,682 |
| Charlotte | North Carolina | $86,416 | $389,648 | 4.5 | $129,883 |
| Georgetown | Texas | $92,821 | $419,666 | 4.5 | $139,889 |
| Baton Rouge | Louisiana | $50,332 | $228,438 | 4.5 | $76,146 |
| Roanoke | Virginia | $60,456 | $277,549 | 4.6 | $92,516 |
| Durham | North Carolina | $82,916 | $384,724 | 4.6 | $128,241 |
| Visalia | California | $84,781 | $396,267 | 4.7 | $132,089 |
| Buffalo | New York | $52,211 | $244,068 | 4.7 | $81,356 |
| Bakersfield | California | $82,093 | $385,686 | 4.7 | $128,562 |
| Norfolk | Virginia | $65,797 | $310,673 | 4.7 | $103,558 |
| Lexington | Kentucky | $69,989 | $331,087 | 4.7 | $110,362 |
| Phoenix | Arizona | $85,246 | $404,067 | 4.7 | $134,689 |
| Chattanooga | Tennessee | $66,060 | $314,999 | 4.8 | $105,000 |
| Boca Raton | Florida | $121,629 | $580,267 | 4.8 | $193,422 |
| Aurora | Colorado | $93,837 | $447,833 | 4.8 | $149,278 |
| Rapid City | South Dakota | $75,467 | $360,913 | 4.8 | $120,304 |
| Orlando | Florida | $77,597 | $372,775 | 4.8 | $124,258 |
| Albuquerque | New Mexico | $71,494 | $344,199 | 4.8 | $114,733 |
| St. Petersburg | Florida | $73,048 | $351,862 | 4.8 | $117,287 |
| Lakeland | Florida | $63,859 | $309,422 | 4.8 | $103,141 |
| Cheyenne | Wyoming | $79,813 | $388,958 | 4.9 | $129,653 |
| Las Cruces | New Mexico | $58,871 | $287,447 | 4.9 | $95,816 |
| Fargo | North Dakota | $65,479 | $321,568 | 4.9 | $107,189 |
| Lawrence | Kansas | $67,129 | $332,513 | 5.0 | $110,838 |
| Iowa City | Iowa | $60,650 | $300,467 | 5.0 | $100,156 |
| Idaho Falls | Idaho | $79,317 | $394,199 | 5.0 | $131,400 |
| Raleigh | North Carolina | $85,060 | $424,663 | 5.0 | $141,554 |
| Spokane | Washington | $78,583 | $392,803 | 5.0 | $130,934 |
| Wilmington, Delaware | Delaware | $65,389 | $327,252 | 5.0 | $109,084 |
| Henderson | Nevada | $95,415 | $478,064 | 5.0 | $159,355 |
| Mesa | Arizona | $85,580 | $428,871 | 5.0 | $142,957 |
| Murfreesboro | Tennessee | $84,457 | $424,348 | 5.0 | $141,449 |
| North Charleston | South Carolina | $61,445 | $309,108 | 5.0 | $103,036 |
| Nampa | Idaho | $82,044 | $415,281 | 5.1 | $138,427 |
| Albany | New York | $65,231 | $331,504 | 5.1 | $110,501 |
| Pueblo | Colorado | $55,194 | $281,571 | 5.1 | $93,857 |
| Bismarck | North Dakota | $73,877 | $378,242 | 5.1 | $126,081 |
| Rochester, New York | New York | $46,882 | $240,168 | 5.1 | $80,056 |
| Sacramento | California | $91,387 | $470,552 | 5.1 | $156,851 |
| Tallahassee | Florida | $56,511 | $291,188 | 5.2 | $97,063 |
| Elk Grove | California | $120,958 | $624,643 | 5.2 | $208,214 |
| Fresno | California | $74,491 | $384,885 | 5.2 | $128,295 |
| Washington, DC | District of Columbia | $109,707 | $566,961 | 5.2 | $188,987 |
| Ogden | Utah | $74,449 | $390,773 | 5.2 | $130,258 |
| Colorado Springs | Colorado | $83,672 | $439,542 | 5.3 | $146,514 |
| Springfield, Massachusetts | Massachusetts | $57,384 | $301,926 | 5.3 | $100,642 |
| Tucson | Arizona | $60,483 | $318,760 | 5.3 | $106,253 |
| Lancaster | California | $87,324 | $460,943 | 5.3 | $153,648 |
| Las Vegas | Nevada | $78,556 | $417,475 | 5.3 | $139,158 |
| Nashville | Tennessee | $80,090 | $425,889 | 5.3 | $141,963 |
| Alexandria | Virginia | $124,593 | $662,843 | 5.3 | $220,948 |
| Grand Junction | Colorado | $78,788 | $419,825 | 5.3 | $139,942 |
| Madison | Wisconsin | $79,254 | $424,543 | 5.4 | $141,514 |
| Stockton | California | $78,627 | $422,451 | 5.4 | $140,817 |
| Salem | Oregon | $79,638 | $432,418 | 5.4 | $144,139 |
| West Palm Beach | Florida | $74,478 | $404,711 | 5.4 | $134,904 |
| Austin | Texas | $90,430 | $491,960 | 5.4 | $163,987 |
| Roseville | California | $116,323 | $643,854 | 5.5 | $214,618 |
| Modesto | California | $79,211 | $439,988 | 5.6 | $146,663 |
| Medford | Oregon | $72,324 | $404,082 | 5.6 | $134,694 |
| Tacoma | Washington | $86,328 | $482,647 | 5.6 | $160,882 |
| Fort Lauderdale | Florida | $90,734 | $509,743 | 5.6 | $169,914 |
| Yakima | Washington | $63,781 | $358,493 | 5.6 | $119,498 |
| Asheville | North Carolina | $78,996 | $444,478 | 5.6 | $148,159 |
| Denver | Colorado | $92,504 | $520,947 | 5.6 | $173,649 |
| Meridian | Idaho | $95,088 | $535,629 | 5.6 | $178,543 |
| New Haven | Connecticut | $59,705 | $337,417 | 5.7 | $112,472 |
| Savannah | Georgia | $55,907 | $318,893 | 5.7 | $106,298 |
| Richmond | Virginia | $63,390 | $361,844 | 5.7 | $120,615 |
| Fayetteville, Arkansas | Arkansas | $66,237 | $379,367 | 5.7 | $126,456 |
| Portland, Oregon | Oregon | $91,478 | $524,318 | 5.7 | $174,773 |
| Billings | Montana | $69,112 | $401,071 | 5.8 | $133,690 |
| Charleston, SC | South Carolina | $98,085 | $587,511 | 6.0 | $195,837 |
| Arlington, Virginia | Virginia | $133,582 | $801,809 | 6.0 | $267,270 |
| Vancouver | Washington | $82,928 | $498,160 | 6.0 | $166,053 |
| Worcester | Massachusetts | $71,042 | $432,708 | 6.1 | $144,236 |
| Stamford | Connecticut | $117,627 | $717,654 | 6.1 | $239,218 |
| St. George | Utah | $83,984 | $516,153 | 6.1 | $172,051 |
| Boise | Idaho | $81,102 | $500,215 | 6.2 | $166,738 |
| Bloomington | Indiana | $50,545 | $312,287 | 6.2 | $104,096 |
| Hollywood | Florida | $71,067 | $442,331 | 6.2 | $147,444 |
| Simi Valley | California | $132,408 | $829,804 | 6.3 | $276,601 |
| Gainesville | Florida | $46,165 | $291,789 | 6.3 | $97,263 |
| Santa Clarita | California | $123,011 | $786,149 | 6.4 | $262,050 |
| Ann Arbor | Michigan | $80,603 | $517,346 | 6.4 | $172,449 |
| Knoxville | Tennessee | $57,298 | $368,965 | 6.4 | $122,988 |
| Vallejo | California | $80,115 | $517,277 | 6.5 | $172,426 |
| Athens | Georgia | $52,264 | $338,623 | 6.5 | $112,874 |
| Jersey City | New Jersey | $100,751 | $656,649 | 6.5 | $218,883 |
| Wilmington, North Carolina | North Carolina | $63,165 | $416,464 | 6.6 | $138,821 |
| Allentown | Pennsylvania | $47,463 | $315,694 | 6.7 | $105,231 |
| Eugene | Oregon | $70,781 | $471,485 | 6.7 | $157,162 |
| Reno | Nevada | $85,605 | $571,562 | 6.7 | $190,521 |
| Concord | California | $107,318 | $720,907 | 6.7 | $240,302 |
| Portland, Maine | Maine | $82,059 | $554,454 | 6.8 | $184,818 |
| Palmdale | California | $73,517 | $498,854 | 6.8 | $166,285 |
| College Station | Texas | $50,523 | $344,129 | 6.8 | $114,710 |
| Fort Collins | Colorado | $81,199 | $554,735 | 6.8 | $184,912 |
| Seattle | Washington | $118,745 | $822,572 | 6.9 | $274,191 |
| Bend | Oregon | $104,031 | $721,430 | 6.9 | $240,477 |
| Oakland | California | $102,235 | $710,647 | 7.0 | $236,882 |
| Providence | Rhode Island | $61,797 | $431,740 | 7.0 | $143,913 |
| Santa Fe | New Mexico | $82,121 | $576,890 | 7.0 | $192,297 |
| Ontario | California | $94,020 | $662,006 | 7.0 | $220,669 |
| Santa Rosa | California | $99,681 | $708,056 | 7.1 | $236,019 |
| Riverside | California | $90,004 | $641,514 | 7.1 | $213,838 |
| Corona | California | $103,507 | $750,756 | 7.3 | $250,252 |
| Napa | California | $118,732 | $861,798 | 7.3 | $287,266 |
| San Bernardino | California | $67,753 | $492,859 | 7.3 | $164,286 |
| Salt Lake City | Utah | $77,186 | $568,970 | 7.4 | $189,657 |
| Thousand Oaks | California | $138,411 | $1,027,863 | 7.4 | $342,621 |
| Franklin | Tennessee | $122,014 | $913,277 | 7.5 | $304,426 |
| Oxnard | California | $101,184 | $758,052 | 7.5 | $252,684 |
| Boston | Massachusetts | $97,791 | $761,236 | 7.8 | $253,745 |
| Provo | Utah | $60,139 | $478,876 | 8.0 | $159,625 |
| Chula Vista | California | $105,101 | $845,328 | 8.0 | $281,776 |
| Missoula | Montana | $69,832 | $563,970 | 8.1 | $187,990 |
| Scottsdale | Arizona | $104,893 | $851,746 | 8.1 | $283,915 |
| Fremont | California | $175,816 | $1,439,805 | 8.2 | $479,935 |
| Escondido | California | $102,145 | $839,152 | 8.2 | $279,717 |
| Oceanside | California | $104,809 | $865,182 | 8.3 | $288,394 |
| Salinas | California | $87,837 | $747,683 | 8.5 | $249,228 |
| Yonkers | New York | $81,868 | $701,827 | 8.6 | $233,942 |
| Bellevue | Washington | $161,194 | $1,386,450 | 8.6 | $462,150 |
| Flagstaff | Arizona | $74,417 | $650,175 | 8.7 | $216,725 |
| Miami | Florida | $66,337 | $583,705 | 8.8 | $194,568 |
| San Diego | California | $111,032 | $980,490 | 8.8 | $326,830 |
| Bellingham | Washington | $74,220 | $657,528 | 8.9 | $219,176 |
| Honolulu | Hawaii | $86,169 | $774,710 | 9.0 | $258,237 |
| Santa Ana | California | $95,118 | $858,641 | 9.0 | $286,214 |
| Santa Clara | California | $180,631 | $1,642,638 | 9.1 | $547,546 |
| San Jose | California | $148,226 | $1,353,869 | 9.1 | $451,290 |
| Anaheim | California | $101,145 | $941,684 | 9.3 | $313,895 |
| Long Beach | California | $91,318 | $852,391 | 9.3 | $284,130 |
| Torrance | California | $113,095 | $1,100,115 | 9.7 | $366,705 |
| Irvine | California | $145,731 | $1,481,490 | 10.2 | $493,830 |
| New York City | New York | $81,228 | $825,854 | 10.2 | $275,285 |
| San Francisco | California | $139,801 | $1,441,021 | 10.3 | $480,340 |
| Boulder | Colorado | $85,761 | $937,901 | 10.9 | $312,634 |
| Sunnyvale | California | $181,022 | $2,007,452 | 11.1 | $669,151 |
| Los Angeles | California | $82,263 | $927,891 | 11.3 | $309,297 |
| Pasadena | California | $105,048 | $1,186,459 | 11.3 | $395,486 |
| Huntington Beach | California | $118,105 | $1,344,725 | 11.4 | $448,242 |
| Berkeley | California | $103,727 | $1,442,475 | 13.9 | $480,825 |
| Santa Barbara | California | $106,800 | $1,805,649 | 16.9 | $601,883 |
Median household income: table B19013, Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates for 2024 (data.census.gov). Value of a typical home: Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026 (Zillow Research data).
These places are missing from the table because the Census 1-year survey does not cover them: Annapolis, Carson City, Bentonville, Chapel Hill, Bozeman, Cleveland, Tennessee, Branson, Coeur d'Alene, Burlington, Destin, Hilton Head Island, Casper, Durango, Jackson, Wyoming, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Lake Havasu City, Galveston, Myrtle Beach, Harrisburg, Naples, Hilo, Palm Springs, Hoboken, Panama City, Hot Springs, Park City, Kalispell, Pensacola, San Luis Obispo, Katy, Santa Cruz, Prescott, Sarasota, South Padre Island, Sedona, St. Augustine, Olympia, Traverse City, Twin Falls.
Most affordable cities
In 15 cities, the fewest years of local median income are needed to buy a typical home. Jackson, Mississippi comes in at 1.9 years, compared with 4.5 for the US.
| City | Price to income | Typical home value | Median household income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, Mississippi | 1.9 | $83,517 | $44,516 |
| Detroit | 1.9 | $74,742 | $39,209 |
| Peoria | 2.1 | $136,279 | $65,078 |
| Montgomery | 2.5 | $149,943 | $59,292 |
| Toledo | 2.6 | $131,766 | $50,562 |
| Birmingham | 2.6 | $134,165 | $51,355 |
| Cleveland, Ohio | 2.7 | $115,810 | $43,383 |
| Sioux City | 2.7 | $200,738 | $74,972 |
| Baltimore | 2.9 | $184,804 | $64,778 |
| Akron | 2.9 | $138,865 | $48,521 |
| Memphis | 2.9 | $151,794 | $52,679 |
| Shreveport | 2.9 | $145,457 | $50,291 |
| Oklahoma City | 2.9 | $204,979 | $70,040 |
| Davenport | 3.0 | $194,286 | $64,686 |
| Lansing | 3.0 | $166,379 | $55,366 |
Housing markets that are least affordable
The 15 cities where a typical home takes the most years of local earnings. In Santa Barbara, a typical home is worth 16.9 years of what the median household earns.
| City | Price to income | Typical home value | Median household income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara | 16.9 | $1,805,649 | $106,800 |
| Berkeley | 13.9 | $1,442,475 | $103,727 |
| Huntington Beach | 11.4 | $1,344,725 | $118,105 |
| Pasadena | 11.3 | $1,186,459 | $105,048 |
| Los Angeles | 11.3 | $927,891 | $82,263 |
| Sunnyvale | 11.1 | $2,007,452 | $181,022 |
| Boulder | 10.9 | $937,901 | $85,761 |
| San Francisco | 10.3 | $1,441,021 | $139,801 |
| New York City | 10.2 | $825,854 | $81,228 |
| Irvine | 10.2 | $1,481,490 | $145,731 |
| Torrance | 9.7 | $1,100,115 | $113,095 |
| Long Beach | 9.3 | $852,391 | $91,318 |
| Anaheim | 9.3 | $941,684 | $101,145 |
| San Jose | 9.1 | $1,353,869 | $148,226 |
| Santa Clara | 9.1 | $1,642,638 | $180,631 |
Home price to income ratio by city
Census income figures are available for 252 cities. Of those, 13 put the typical home at no more than three years of income, and 105 sit at less than the US ratio of 4.5.
Price to income by city
| Years of income | Cities |
|---|---|
| 3 or under | 13 |
| Over 3 to 4 | 54 |
| Over 4 to 5 | 68 |
| Over 5 to 7 | 74 |
| Over 7 to 10 | 33 |
| Over 10 | 10 |
Largest cities
| City | Price to income |
|---|---|
| New York City | 10.2 |
| Los Angeles | 11.3 |
| Chicago | 4.1 |
| Houston | 4.0 |
| Phoenix | 4.7 |
| Philadelphia | 3.8 |
| San Antonio | 3.7 |
| San Diego | 8.8 |
| Dallas | 4.1 |
| Fort Worth | 3.6 |
| Jacksonville | 3.9 |
| San Jose | 9.1 |
By state and over time: the home price to income ratio. Compare rent, prices, and pay together in this cost of living comparison.
How the needed income is worked out
For the income column, the typical home value for the city, which comes from Zillow, is divided by three. The arithmetic comes from a widely used rule of thumb: a home should not cost more than three years of household income. That is a convention, and not a lender's test. A lender considers mortgage rates, down payments, taxes, insurance, and any other debts you have, though the figure includes none of these.
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey provides the ACS 1-year estimate for 2024, which shows the middle income among city households. Only areas of 65,000 people or more get 1-year estimates from the Census Bureau, so the smaller cities above have no row. Home value comes from the September 2026 Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), which is what a typical home in the market's middle third is worth, so the ratio sets a 2024 income against a 2026 price.
The 65,000 threshold is set out in Census Bureau, ACS estimates guidance. Sources explained further in the methodology.