The median household income in the U.S. — $77,719 — is no longer enough to afford a median-priced home. The median home price nationwide is now $438,000, which means you would need a household income of $123,226 to afford to buy a home if you make a 20% down payment.
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While there are some major cities where you can afford a typical home earning less than six figures, that has become the exception and not the rule, according to a new Clever Real Estate study. The study found the income needed to afford a home with a 20% down payment in the 50 largest cities, and it turns out you need a household income of at least $100,000 to afford it in 33 of them.
Here’s a look at the major cities where you need a six-figure household income to afford a typical home, ranked by affordability based on the local median income.
Also see cities where home values have increased the most.
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Median household income: $94,289
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Median home sales price (April 2025): $395,000
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Income needed with 20% down: $111,649
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Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $17,360
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Median household income: $95,102
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Median home sales price (April 2025): $400,000
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Income needed with 20% down: $117,547
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Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $22,445
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Median household income: $84,332
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Median home sales price (April 2025): $400,000
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Income needed with 20% down: $106,909
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Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $22,577
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Median household income: $77,006
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Median home sales price (April 2025): $347,000
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Income needed with 20% down: $100,075
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Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $23,069
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Median household income: $86,505
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Median home sales price (April 2025): $400,000
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Income needed with 20% down: $109,760
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Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $23,255
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Median household income: $96,096
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Median home sales price (April 2025): $441,000
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Income needed with 20% down: $120,069
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Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $23,973
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Median household income: $81,262
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Median home sales price (April 2025): $409,000
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Income needed with 20% down: $107,912
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Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $26,650
