37 U.S. States Fall Short of Homebuying Income Threshold, Led by Hawaii's $116,053 Gap
Updated
Updated · Visual Capitalist · Aug 15
37 U.S. States Fall Short of Homebuying Income Threshold, Led by Hawaii's $116,053 Gap
2 articles · Updated · Visual Capitalist · Aug 15
Summary
Median household income trails the estimated income needed to comfortably buy a median-priced home in 37 states, showing affordability pressure has spread well beyond the priciest coastal markets.
Hawaii posts the widest gap at $116,053, with households earning $100,389 versus the $216,442 needed; California follows at $74,928.
Montana ranks third with a $53,307 shortfall despite median household income of just $72,509, while Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Oregon and several other states also show large gaps.
Illinois stands out on the other side, with income exceeding the homebuying threshold by $20,002; West Virginia and Maryland also post surpluses, though Arkansas, Alabama and Virginia are barely above break-even.
The state-by-state comparison underscores how rising housing costs have outpaced typical earnings across much of the U.S., leaving only a limited affordability cushion in many markets.