economy

How much money you need to earn to afford a home in 49 U.S. cities

Updated on: May 27, 2026 / 3:08 PM EDT / CBS News

How much money you need to earn to afford a home in 49 U.S. cities

TL;DR

  • The median household income in the U.S. is approximately $88,000, a 4% increase this year.
  • Affording an average home, priced around $418,000, requires an annual income of $116,780.
  • Homeownership is unaffordable in 41 out of the 49 most populous U.S. cities.
  • San Francisco requires the highest income, nearly $444,000, to afford a home.
  • Detroit, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh are among the cities where the median income is sufficient to buy a home.
  • Housing affordability has slightly improved in the last six months due to rising pay, easing mortgage rates, and falling home prices.
  • Over 80% of Americans perceive homebuying as more difficult today than for previous generations.