Over the past two decades, housing affordability has worsened. In the United States, median house prices are now six times the median income. Homeowners are advised to spend no more than 28% of their wages on a home; anything above that is considered unaffordable. And in 80% of larger US counties, most homes are unaffordable. The good news is that home affordability has improved in the past two quarters, according to real estate data company ATTOM. The bad news is that affordability remains near the worst levels in 15 years as home prices remain close to all-time highs.
Further, major expenses on median-priced homes accounted for 32.3% of the average national wage in the first quarter, well above the common 28% lending guidelines, ATTOM notes. This means that homeownership remains difficult for average workers. Still, some housing markets are quite affordable.
To find the most affordable housing markets in the U.S., 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from ATTOM’s 2024 U.S. Home Affordability Report. ATTOM analyzed median home prices and average wage data (from the Bureau of Labor Statistics) in 590 U.S. counties to find the percentage of average wages needed to pay for major expenses on a median-priced home with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and a 20% down payment. 24/7 Wall St. listed the 50 counties with the lowest percentage of wages required to afford a median-priced home.
Where are these counties? Well, no county on this list is in the West region. However, 23 are in the South (including five in Alabama and four in Louisiana), 16 are in the Midwest (including six in Michigan and five in Illinois), and 11 are in the Northeast (including eight in Pennsylvania). While home prices in these counties tend to be among the lowest, annualized wages are not necessarily as low.
What Is This Important?
The most populous counties on the list are home to over 1 million residents and include such metro areas as Detroit, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. Other large metros in the counties on the list include Memphis, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; Baltimore; Toledo, Ohio; Mobile, Alabama; Flint, Michigan; and St. Louis. Among the 50 most affordable counties, major expenses on median-priced homes account for as low as 11.9% of the local average wage to as high as 19.9% — considerably lower than the 32.3% of wages home expenses account for nationwide. In 26 of these affordable counties, home prices are not outpacing wages.
50. Genesee, Michigan
- County seat: Flint
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 19.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $146,000 (#40 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -3%
- Annualized weekly wages: $53,144 (#143 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 405,280
49. Jackson, Michigan
- County seat: Jackson
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 19.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $168,000 (#61 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +19%
- Annualized weekly wages: $59,436 (#272 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 160,637
48. Oneida, New York
- County seat: Utica
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 19.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $169,161 (#63 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +13%
- Annualized weekly wages: $58,253 (#283 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +6%
- County population: 231,055
47. Trumbull, Ohio
- County seat: Warren
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 19.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $134,943 (#20 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +2%
- Annualized weekly wages: $48,607 (#41 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 201,749
46. Bibb, Georgia
- County seat: Macon
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 19.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $145,000 (#37 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +23%
- Annualized weekly wages: $52,481 (#122 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 156,554
45. Midland, Texas
- County seat: Midland
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 19.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $271,910 (#235 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -15%
- Annualized weekly wages: $91,611 (#18 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +7%
- County population: 169,393
44. Houston, Alabama
- County seat: Dothan
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 19.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $161,041 (#53 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +1%
- Annualized weekly wages: $51,467 (#94 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 107,040
43. Rapides, Louisiana
- County seat: Alexandria
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 19.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $142,750 (#31 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -8%
- Annualized weekly wages: $49,023 (#50 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 129,536
42. Sangamon, Illinois
- County seat: Springfield
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 19.10%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $155,000 (#43 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +16%
- Annualized weekly wages: $64,415 (#186 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 196,122
41. Aiken, South Carolina
- County seat: Aiken
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 19.00%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $179,950 (#76 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: 0%
- Annualized weekly wages: $59,904 (#255 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +4%
- County population: 169,865
40. Blair, Pennsylvania
- County seat: Hollidaysburg
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 18.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $133,950 (#17 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +6%
- Annualized weekly wages: $50,583 (#75 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 122,640
39. Potter, Texas
- County seat: Amarillo
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 18.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $146,519 (#41 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +9%
- Annualized weekly wages: $57,525 (#266 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 117,905
38. La Salle, Illinois
- County seat: Ottawa
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 18.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $135,000 (#21 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +15%
- Annualized weekly wages: $55,016 (#188 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 109,495
37. Jefferson, Texas
- County seat: Beaumont
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 18.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $161,250 (#54 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -4%
- Annualized weekly wages: $65,611 (#170 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +4%
- County population: 254,942
36. Sumter, South Carolina
- County seat: Sumter
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 18.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $141,500 (#28 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -8%
- Annualized weekly wages: $50,063 (#65 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +5%
- County population: 105,199
35. Ingham, Michigan
- County seat: Mason
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 18.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $161,000 (#52 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +11%
- Annualized weekly wages: $65,650 (#169 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 282,540
34. Washington, Pennsylvania
- County seat: Washington
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 18.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $173,000 (#68 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -4%
- Annualized weekly wages: $69,303 (#113 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 209,631
33. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- County seat: Philadelphia
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 18.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $210,000 (#127 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +8%
- Annualized weekly wages: $79,924 (#50 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 1,593,208
32. Baltimore City, Maryland
- County seat: Baltimore
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 18.30%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $195,000 (#95 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +3%
- Annualized weekly wages: $79,989 (#49 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 584,548
31. Mercer, Pennsylvania
- County seat: Mercer
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 18.30%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $134,190 (#18 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +28%
- Annualized weekly wages: $51,597 (#98 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 110,600
30. Allen, Ohio
- County seat: Lima
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 18.10%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $142,500 (#30 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +2%
- Annualized weekly wages: $55,016 (#188 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 102,087
29. Comanche, Oklahoma
- County seat: Lawton
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 18.00%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $124,000 (#8 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -1%
- Annualized weekly wages: $47,970 (#34 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 121,777
29. Lucas, Ohio
- County seat: Toledo
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 16.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $133,000 (#16 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +11%
- Annualized weekly wages: $59,384 (#274 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 430,014
28. Muscogee, Georgia
- County seat: Columbus
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 17.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $136,750 (#24 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -2%
- Annualized weekly wages: $52,299 (#115 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: 0%
- County population: 204,572
27. Delaware, Indiana
- County seat: Muncie
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 17.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $128,847 (#13 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +3%
- Annualized weekly wages: $49,660 (#61 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: 0%
- County population: 112,156
26. Calhoun, Alabama
- County seat: Anniston
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 17.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $135,562 (#23 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +7%
- Annualized weekly wages: $48,984 (#46 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +6%
- County population: 116,162
25. Cuyahoga, Ohio
- County seat: Cleveland
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 17.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $160,000 (#50 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: 0%
- Annualized weekly wages: $70,928 (#96 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 1,256,620
24. Calcasieu, Louisiana
- County seat: Lake Charles
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 17.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $164,751 (#57 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -6%
- Annualized weekly wages: $60,515 (#241 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 210,770
23. Terrebonne, Louisiana
- County seat: Houma
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 17.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $160,980 (#51 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +5%
- Annualized weekly wages: $59,774 (#260 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +4%
- County population: 108,862
22. Shelby, Tennessee
- County seat: Memphis
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 17.30%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $166,666 (#60 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -6%
- Annualized weekly wages: $68,614 (#123 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 926,440
21. Allegheny, Pennsylvania
- County seat: Pittsburgh
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 17.30%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $175,000 (#71 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -2%
- Annualized weekly wages: $75,192 (#64 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 1,245,310
20. Chautauqua, New York
- County seat: Mayville
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 17.20%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $122,500 (#7 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +3%
- Annualized weekly wages: $50,206 (#68 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 127,440
18. Fayette, Pennsylvania
- County seat: Uniontown
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 16.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $114,500 (#5 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: 0%
- Annualized weekly wages: $49,010 (#48 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 128,417
17. Caddo, Louisiana
- County seat: Shreveport
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 16.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $132,500 (#15 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: 0%
- Annualized weekly wages: $55,900 (#221 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 236,259
16. Calhoun, Michigan
- County seat: Marshall
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 16.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $142,000 (#29 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +4%
- Annualized weekly wages: $61,932 (#218 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +1%
- County population: 134,011
15. Kanawha, West Virginia
- County seat: Charleston
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 16.20%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $140,500 (#27 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -1%
- Annualized weekly wages: $57,915 (#274 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 179,895
14. Saginaw, Michigan
- County seat: Saginaw
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 15.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $125,000 (#10 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +8%
- Annualized weekly wages: $56,979 (#250 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 189,821
13. Richmond, Georgia
- County seat: Augusta
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 15.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $128,304 (#12 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -18%
- Annualized weekly wages: $56,381 (#234 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 206,153
12. Montgomery, Alabama
- County seat: Montgomery
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 15.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $134,500 (#19 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +3%
- Annualized weekly wages: $58,188 (#279 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +4%
- County population: 228,132
11. Mobile, Alabama
- County seat: Mobile
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 15.40%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $138,100 (#25 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -18%
- Annualized weekly wages: $58,695 (#292 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 413,878
10. Saint Louis City, Missouri
- County seat: St. Louis
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 15.00%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $162,000 (#55 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +1%
- Annualized weekly wages: $75,400 (#63 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +4%
- County population: 298,018
9. Rock Island, Illinois
- County seat: Rock Island
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 14.80%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $125,000 (#10 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +10%
- Annualized weekly wages: $67,977 (#133 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: 0%
- County population: 143,819
8. Oswego, New York
- County seat: Oswego
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 14.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $124,250 (#9 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +4%
- Annualized weekly wages: $59,579 (#265 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +5%
- County population: 118,037
7. Robeson, North Carolina
- County seat: Lumberton
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 14.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $96,020 (#3 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -6%
- Annualized weekly wages: $43,979 (#3 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 117,573
6. Wayne, Michigan
- County seat: Detroit
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 13.30%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $135,000 (#21 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +2%
- Annualized weekly wages: $73,203 (#83 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 1,781,641
5. Peoria, Illinois
- County seat: Peoria
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 12.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $115,750 (#6 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +13%
- Annualized weekly wages: $71,591 (#90 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 181,186
4. Cambria, Pennsylvania
- County seat: Ebensburg
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 12.70%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $85,000 (#1 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +42%
- Annualized weekly wages: $47,281 (#26 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +3%
- County population: 133,263
3. Jefferson, Alabama
- County seat: Birmingham
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 12.50%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $129,000 (#14 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: -24%
- Annualized weekly wages: $68,510 (#125 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 672,265
2. Schuylkill, Pennsylvania
- County seat: Pottsville
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 12.10%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $86,000 (#2 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +9%
- Annualized weekly wages: $52,052 (#109 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +2%
- County population: 143,201
1. Macon, Illinois
- County seat: Decatur
- Pct. of annualized wage needed to buy a median-priced home: 11.90%
- Median home sales price, Q1 2024: $99,000 (#4 lowest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in sales price: +12%
- Annualized weekly wages: $67,327 (#143 highest of 590 counties)
- Year-over-year change in wages: +5%
- County population: 103,542
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