Finding a reasonably priced home in the U.S. can be tough, regardless of your location. However, a new study from Zillow reveals that some larger markets are showing signs of more affordable options.
The term “affordable” is a bit relative. For instance, national mortgage payments have skyrocketed, more than doubling in the past five years. Yet, it appears there are more homes now within reach for those earning the median income in the U.S.
This trend is particularly evident in many cities east of the Mississippi River, where, in several major areas, over half of the available homes are deemed affordable for typical income households.
Buffalo, New York tops the list, with around 55% of homes being classified as affordable. St. Louis follows closely at 54.5%, according to Zillow.
Here’s a rundown of the top 10 cities where more affordable homes are becoming available:
| Rank | City | Percentage of homes considered affordable for median income residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Buffalo, New York | 55.1% |
| 2. | St. Louis | 54.5% |
| 3. | Pittsburgh | 54.3% |
| 4. | Detroit | 52.8% |
| 5. | Cleveland | 50.1% |
| 6. | Indianapolis | 48.5% |
| 7. | Baltimore | 48.1% |
| 8. | Cincinnati | 46.1% |
| 9. | Birmingham | 45.1% |
| 10. | Minneapolis | 43.2% |
In contrast, folks in the western U.S., especially in California, are struggling to find affordable homes.
Zillow reports that merely 3% of homes in the Los Angeles area fit the criteria for median-income earners. San Diego isn’t far behind, with just 6.4%.
While eastern parts of the country have managed to unearth more affordable options, the New England area seems to be facing its own set of challenges.
In Providence, Rhode Island, only 9.1% of homes are affordable for middle-income residents, while Boston is close at 11.9%.
This leaves many residents feeling quite frustrated in their search for affordable housing in the U.S.
| Rank | City | Percentage of homes affordable to median income residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Los Angeles | 3% |
| 2. | San Diego | 6.4% |
| 3. | Providence, RI | 9.1% |
| 4. | Sacramento, California | 11.3% |
| 5. | San Jose, California | 11.4% |
| 6. | Boston | 11.9% |
| 7. | New York | 12.5% |
| 8. | Riverside, California | 13.2% |
| 9. | San Francisco | 13.6% |
| 10. | Seattle | 15.5% |





