Overview

• Median-priced homes were less affordable than historical norms in 99% of the 580 counties ATTOM analyzed.
• A typical buyer now needs just over $90,000 in annual income to comfortably afford the nationwide median-priced home.
• Typical monthly ownership costs reached $2,123 in Q3 2025, consuming 33.3% of a typical wage, and in 34% of counties those costs took 43% or more.
• Affordability worsened quarter over quarter in 44.7% of counties, while median prices rose year over year in roughly 75%.
• Affordability stress is concentrated in parts of California and New York, led by San Mateo County’s $399,827 income requirement and Brooklyn where expenses equaled 113% of typical wages, while several Midwest counties remained relatively affordable.