Few topics spark debate quite like home prices, and with good reason. Since 1980, home values in the US have soared 544%, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
As of mid-2025, the typical home value in the US is around US$371,133. While household incomes have risen over the decades, they haven’t kept pace with this dramatic increase. In some states, the affordability gap is especially wide, making it increasingly difficult for many Americans to buy a home.
To better understand how affordable housing is across the country, we compared the median household income in each state to the cost of a typical home. This percentage offers a snapshot of how much home a typical income can afford. For example, if a household earns $60,000 per year and a home costs $240,000, that income covers 25% of the home’s value—a balanced ratio. But in states where the figure drops to 17% or lower, buyers may be under more financial strain.
Curious to know which states are more affordable—and which are priced out of reach? Click through to find out where your state ranks.