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    How Much More Money You Need to Make to Afford a Home in Every US State

    Press RoomBy No Comments7 Mins Read

    Nearly every state in the US experienced a bump in household income last year, yet it’s still not enough to afford the typical home.

    States like Rhode Island and Virginia saw fairly large increases in income from 2024 to 2025 — 9.02% and 7.85%, respectively — but an additional five figures is needed to afford a median-priced home in each state, according to data from the US Census and Realtor.com.

    Realtor.com senior economist Hannah Jones said that even though households are bringing in more money, an increase in mortgage rates since last year isn’t helping.

    “Mortgage rates are more than one percentage point higher than a year ago, which cuts into buyer budgets and offsets the affordability gains from softening home prices and rising incomes,” Jones said. “Nationally, the median household income is not enough to afford the median-priced home in any state.”

    The national median household income was $84,780 in 2025 — a roughly 3.8% increase from the previous year. However, with the national median listing price at $419,250 in September 2026, that’s $31,136 short of the recommended income to buy, assuming a mortgage rate of 7.32% and a 10% down payment, according to Realtor.

    Realtor calculated the additional amount needed above the median income to afford the typical home in each state, and found that some require a couple thousand dollars, while others require nearly six figures.

    See how much more money you need to afford an average home in each state. States in ascending order of the additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home.

    Iowa


    Historic brick storefronts line a quiet downtown street at dusk with lampposts, trees, and empty parking spaces.

    Iowa.

    DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

    Median household income: $76,483

    2024-2025 change in income: 1.30%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $2,287

    Illinois


    Downtown Chicago skyscrapers and bascule bridges line the Chicago River on a sunny day.

    Illinois.

    Jeremy Poland/Getty Images

    Median household income: $86,676

    2024-2025 change in income: 4.16%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $3,168

    Ohio


    Downtown Cleveland skyline rises beside the Cuyahoga River with Terminal Tower and waterfront parks in warm light.

    Ohio.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Median household income: $74,804

    2024-2025 change in income: 3.59%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $3,718

    Pennsylvania


    Downtown Pittsburgh skyline rises beyond Point State Park and yellow bridges at the river confluence.

    Pennsylvania.

    sdominick/Getty Images

    Median household income: $81,473

    2024-2025 change in income: 5.07%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $3,961

    Kansas


    Aerial panorama of Topeka, Kansas.

    Kansas.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Median household income: $77,824

    2024-2025 change in income: 3.06%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $4,015

    Michigan


    Detroit skyline and Renaissance Center glow at sunset beside the Detroit River with a docked riverboat in foreground.

    Michigan.

    pawel.gaul/Getty Images

    Median household income: $75,832

    2024-2025 change in income: 4.76%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $7,086

    Missouri


    Aerial view of the Missouri State Capitol beside the Missouri River and downtown Jefferson City under a partly cloudy sky.

    Missouri.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Median household income: $75,485

    2024-2025 change in income: 5.44%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $7,460

    Indiana


    Downtown Fort Wayne skyline with office towers, streets, trees, and the Allen County Courthouse at sunset.

    Indiana.

    Nicholas Klein/Getty Images

    Median household income: $74,516

    2024-2025 change in income: 3.55%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $8,153

    Louisiana


    Historic New Orleans street with wrought-iron balconies and St. Louis Cathedral rising in the background.

    Louisiana.

    Jeremy Poland/Getty Images

    Median household income: $65,139

    2024-2025 change in income: 6.81%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $9,512

    Maryland


    Aerial view of a small town with a red-brick clock tower, church steeple, river, and wooded hills.

    Maryland.

    halbergman/Getty Images

    Median household income: $107,700

    2024-2025 change in income: 4.66%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $9,806

    West Virginia


    Aerial view of the West Virginia State Capitol with a gold dome beside the Kanawha River in autumn.

    West Virginia.

    Wirestock/Getty Images

    Median household income: $61,340

    2024-2025 change in income: 0.89%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $10,545

    Nebraska


    Aerial view of the Nebraska State Capitol and surrounding downtown Lincoln streets under a partly cloudy sky.

    Nebraska.

    halbergman/Getty Images

    Median household income: $81,614

    2024-2025 change in income: 6.86%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $11,008

    Minnesota


    Downtown skyline reflects in a calm river at dusk with illuminated buildings, bridges, trees, and cloudy sky.

    Minnesota.

    RudyBalasko/Getty Images

    Median household income: $92,297

    2024-2025 change in income: 5.95%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $12,739

    Oklahoma


    Downtown Oklahoma City skyline glows at dusk behind low-rise buildings and streets in the foreground.

    Oklahoma.

    RudyBalasko/Getty Images

    Median household income: $68,441

    2024-2025 change in income: 3.47%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $13,576

    Texas


    Downtown Dallas skyline with Reunion Tower, high-rises, rail tracks, and convention center buildings under a cloudy blue sky.

    Texas.

    Jeremy Poland/Getty Images

    Median household income: $82,625

    2024-2025 change in income: 3.64%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $15,738

    Kentucky


    Aerial view of a riverside downtown with a white church steeple, brick buildings, autumn trees, and a suspension bridge.

    Kentucky.

    Posnov/Getty Images

    Median household income: $66,447

    2024-2025 change in income: 2.98%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $18,648

    North Dakota


    Illuminated bridge crosses a river through a city at dusk with buildings and streetlights in the background.

    North Dakota.

    halbergman/Getty Images

    Median household income: $81,545

    2024-2025 change in income: 4.72%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $20,948

    Mississippi


    Aerial view of downtown Jackson with the Mississippi State Capitol dome and surrounding office buildings.

    Mississippi.

    Dennis MacDonald/Getty Images

    Median household income: $59,346

    2024-2025 change in income: 0.37%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $21,457

    Alabama


    Aerial view of a downtown riverfront skyline with a faint rainbow over high-rise buildings and a riverboat dock.

    Alabama.

    Kruck20/Getty Images

    Median household income: $67,663

    2024-2025 change in income: 1.51%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $22,194

    Arkansas


    White arch bridge crosses a river toward a downtown skyline in late afternoon light.

    Arkansas.

    halbergman/Getty Images

    Median household income: $65,588

    2024-2025 change in income: 5.61%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $22,539

    South Dakota


    Aerial view of Rapid City, South Dakota.

    South Dakota.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Median household income: $80,506

    2024-2025 change in income: 4.72%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $23,176

    Alaska


    Colorful hillside homes sit among evergreen trees at the edge of a dense forest.

    Alaska.

    Sophia Zayas/Getty Images

    Median household income: $95,220

    2024-2025 change in income: -0.47%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $25,051

    South Carolina


    Downtown buildings surround the domed South Carolina State House in a warm aerial city view.

    South Carolina.

    Alex Potemkin/Getty Images

    Median household income: $73,672

    2024-2025 change in income: 1.83%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $25,847

    Georgia


    Downtown Atlanta skyline with high-rise buildings, roads, and autumn trees under a clear sky.

    Georgia.

    halbergman/Getty Images

    Median household income: $81,847

    2024-2025 change in income: 2.32%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $25,913

    Virginia


    Downtown Roanoke skyline at sunset with high-rises, brick buildings, and Blue Ridge mountains under cloudy sky.

    Virginia.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Median household income: $99,322

    2024-2025 change in income: 7.85%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $26,742

    Wisconsin


    Downtown Milwaukee skyline rises beside the Milwaukee River with bridges, boats, and Lake Michigan in the distance.

    The Milwaukee skyline sits behind the view of the Milwaukee River

    Jon Mattrisch/Getty Images

    Median household income: $80,213

    2024-2025 change in income: 3.52%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $27,588

    Florida


    Aerial view of a brick-paved downtown intersection surrounded by low-rise buildings, parked cars, trees, and a cloudy sky.

    Florida.

    Dmitry Vinogradov/Getty Images

    Median household income: $80,846

    2024-2025 change in income: 4.00%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $32,499

    North Carolina


    Aerial view of downtown Charlotte, North Carolina.

    North Carolina.

    Kruck20/Getty Images

    Median household income: $77,638

    2024-2025 change in income: 4.98%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $32,956

    District of Columbia


    Washington Monument rises above the National Mall and surrounding autumn trees in an aerial view of Washington, D.C.

    District of Columbia.

    halbergman/Getty Images

    Median household income: $109,505

    2024-2025 change in income: -0.18%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $36,341

    New Mexico


    Downtown Albuquerque skyline glows in warm sunset light with residential neighborhoods and mountains in the background.

    New Mexico.

    GummyBone/Getty Images

    Median household income: $70,342

    2024-2025 change in income: 3.72%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $40,107

    Delaware


    Historic streetscape with a brick clock tower, row houses, stop signs, and bare trees under a clear sky.

    Delaware.

    DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

    Median household income: $92,520

    2024-2025 change in income: 5.70%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $41,574

    Maine


    Rocky shoreline with coastal houses overlooking blue water under a partly cloudy sky.

    Maine.

    peeterv/Getty Images

    Median household income: $81,760

    2024-2025 change in income: 6.96%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $42,658

    Tennessee


    Nashville skyline glows at dusk with downtown towers reflected in the Cumberland River.

    Tennessee.

    Sky Noir Photography by Bill Dickinson/Getty Images

    Median household income: $75,875

    2024-2025 change in income: 5.39%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $42,861

    Arizona


    Desert cityscape with red rock buttes and distant mountains under warm sunset light.

    Arizona.

    Beata Whitehead/Getty Images

    Median household income: $82,940

    2024-2025 change in income: 1.78%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $44,215

    Connecticut


    Hartford skyline at dusk with illuminated downtown towers, highways, trees, and a cloudy blue sky.

    Connecticut.

    f11photo/Getty Images

    Median household income: $100,056

    2024-2025 change in income: 4.17%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $44,407

    New Jersey


    Aerial view of a downtown skyline beside a river with autumn trees under a partly cloudy sky.

    New Jersey.

    halbergman/Getty Images

    Median household income: $107,797

    2024-2025 change in income: 3.36%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $46,896

    Nevada


    Las Vegas skyline with The STRAT tower rising above hotels and desert mountains in the background.

    Nevada.

    Nisian Hughes/Getty Images

    Median household income: $85,198

    2024-2025 change in income: 5.01%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $47,515

    Vermont


    Montpelier’s downtown and Vermont State House sit among autumn-colored hills under a cloudy sky.

    Vermont.

    halbergman/Getty Images

    Median household income: $86,018

    2024-2025 change in income: 3.97%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $52,072

    Colorado


    Downtown Denver skyline glows at dusk with the Colorado State Capitol and Rocky Mountains in the background.

    Colorado.

    Jon Paciaroni/Getty Images

    Median household income: $99,729

    2024-2025 change in income: 2.69%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $56,208

    New Hampshire


    Manchester, New Hampshire skyline rises above riverside mill buildings and trees along the Merrimack River.

    New Hampshire.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Median household income: $106,759

    2024-2025 change in income: 6.99%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $56,367

    Wyoming


    Snow-dusted mountains rise behind a city skyline under pink clouds at sunset.

    Wyoming.

    DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

    Median household income: $80,894

    2024-2025 change in income: 7.10%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $56,381

    Utah


    Downtown Provo glows at dusk with the illuminated Provo City Center Temple and mountains in the background.

    Utah.

    Dee Liu/Getty Images

    Median household income: $99,311

    2024-2025 change in income: 2.74%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $60,774

    Oregon


    Aerial View of Portland, Oregon at Dusk.

    Portland, Oregon.

    Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images

    Median household income: $86,953

    2024-2025 change in income: 2.03%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $65,113

    Rhode Island


    Downtown Providence skyline and riverwalk reflect in a calm canal at sunset with bridges and high-rise buildings.

    Rhode Island.

    Sanghwan Kim/Getty Images

    Median household income: $91,039

    2024-2025 change in income: 9.02%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $66,529

    Washington


    Seattle skyline at sunset with the Space Needle and snowcapped Mount Rainier in the distance.

    Washington.

    Luis Hernandez / 500px/Getty Images

    Median household income: $101,946

    2024-2025 change in income: 2.57%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $74,859

    New York


    City skyline and waterfront at sunset with bright sun, trees, shoreline, and reflections on calm water.

    New York.

    LD/Getty Images

    Median household income: $89,210

    2024-2025 change in income: 3.95%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $78,063

    Idaho


    Boise, Idaho, skyline panorama with fall colors

    Boise, Idaho.

    Darwin Fan/Getty Images

    Median household income: $84,234

    2024-2025 change in income: 3.78%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $79,721

    Massachusetts


    Autumn trees and riverside buildings reflect in calm water beneath a cloudy sky in a small town.

    Massachusetts.

    DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

    Median household income: $106,539

    2024-2025 change in income: 1.63%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $90,940

    Hawaii


    High-rise residential buildings fill a coastal cityscape with green mountains and clouds in the distance.

    Hawaii.

    aaaaimages/Getty Images

    Median household income: $105,013

    2024-2025 change in income: 4.24%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $97,498

    California


    Spanish-style buildings line a palm-filled street with blooming flowers and mountains in warm evening light.

    California.

    DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

    Median household income: $102,159

    2024-2025 change in income: 2.01%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $98,292

    Montana


    Historic brick storefronts with illuminated windows line a quiet urban street at dusk.

    Montana.

    DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

    Median household income: $77,099

    2024-2025 change in income: 2.33%

    Additional household income needed to afford the median-priced home: $98,469

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