Account

The Actual News

Just the Facts, from multiple news sources.

How much money you need to earn to afford a home in 49 U.S. cities

How much money you need to earn to afford a home in 49 U.S. cities

Summary

U.S. workers' pay has increased about 4% this year, with median household income around $88,000. However, to afford the average home, households need about $116,780 a year, making homeownership unaffordable for many in most large U.S. cities.

Key Facts

  • Median household income in the U.S. is roughly $88,000 as of April.
  • The average U.S. home costs about $418,000.
  • Households need an income of around $116,780 annually to afford the average home.
  • This needed income is down from a peak estimate of $122,000 in mid-2025.
  • In 41 of 49 big U.S. cities, the median salary is not enough to buy a home.
  • San Francisco is the most expensive city; a person would need nearly $444,000 a year to afford a home.
  • Some Midwest cities, like Detroit and Cleveland, have affordable housing where median incomes are enough to buy a home.
  • More than 80% of Americans find it harder to buy a home now compared to previous generations.
Read the Full Article

This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.