Market Trends & ResearchRealtyHop Housing Affordability Index: December 2024

RealtyHop Housing Affordability Index: December 2024

Map of the least and most affordable housing markets nationwide
In this December 2024 edition of the RealtyHop Housing Affordability Index, we examine what American households across the 100 largest cities need to spend on housing to find out:

Is homeownership affordable or possible for the average American family?

Despite slight decreases in mortgage interest rates, homeowners nationwide still struggle to afford the cost of homeownership. In most cities, prospective buyers must expect to spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs. With interest rates around 6.78% this month, buyers must still adjust their expectations and wish lists to find a home they can afford.

Key Findings

  • Homebuyers in 85 out of the 100 major cities we analyzed would have to spend over 30% of their annual income on homeownership – that’s three more than last month.
  • In the 25 most unaffordable housing markets nationwide, homeowners spend at least 46% of their income on homeownership costs.
  • The median list price decreased by 2.73% year over year nationwide.
  • California remains unaffordable for average Americans. Six of the ten least affordable markets are in California.
  • One of the five least affordable housing markets — Miami, FL — became less affordable this month.
  • The median home price increased in two of the most affordable housing markets: Detroit, MI, and Buffalo, NY.

The 5 Least Affordable Housing Markets

1. Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles remains the country’s least affordable housing market. With a median list price of $1,133,000, households with a median income can now expect to spend a massive 96.62% of their income on mortgage payments and property taxes.

2. Irvine, CA

Irvine is still the second least affordable market this month. Households with a median income of $130,135 can expect to spend $10,155.65 monthly on housing costs.

3. Miami, FL

Miami held onto its spot as the third least affordable housing market. With a median list price of $699,000, households will direct 86.41% of their monthly income toward the cost of homeownership.

4. New York, NY

New York City is still the fourth least affordable housing market. Families can expect to spend $4,976.68 of their monthly income on mortgage payments and property taxes.

5. Anaheim, CA

Anaheim remains the fifth least affordable housing market this month. The median list price in this city is $899,900, and households with a median income can expect to spend 66.40% of it on their monthly mortgage payments and property taxes.

The 5 Most Affordable Housing Markets

1. Detroit, MI

Detroit is, yet again, the most affordable housing market this month. The median list price increased slightly to $100,000, and households with a median income can expect to direct $640.87 monthly toward mortgage payments and property taxes.

2. Toledo, OH

Toledo held onto its spot as the second most affordable housing market. With a median list price of $122,450, households can expect to direct 20.27% of their income toward housing costs.

3. Buffalo, NY

Buffalo remains the third most affordable housing market this month. Households with a median income of $48,883 will have to direct $1,115.44 monthly toward the cost of homeownership.

4. St. Louis, MO

St. Louis also maintained its spot in the rankings. The median list price in this city decreased to $212,500, and households will spend 27.48% of their income on their mortgage payments and property taxes.

5. Cleveland, OH

Cleveland is still the fifth most affordable housing market list this month. Households with a median income of $39,450 can expect to spend $907.70 monthly on their housing costs.

Housing Markets to Watch

The following housing markets witnessed significant changes this month.

Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Wayne became more expensive for buyers this month and jumped six spots in the rankings. As the 89th least affordable housing market, the city has a median list price of $249,900. Homeowners can expect to direct 28.81% of their monthly income toward housing.

Chicago, IL

Chicago became more affordable for prospective buyers this month. The median list price decreased by 3.98% to $350,000, and households with a median income will spend $2,242.23 on their monthly mortgage payments and property taxes.

Atlanta, GA

Atlanta dropped three spots to become the 72nd least affordable housing market this month. The median list price decreased by 2.51% to $389,000. While lower sales activity matches the city’s historical seasonal trends, high mortgage rates may continue to dissuade buyers from purchasing.

Methodology

The RealtyHop Housing Affordability Index analyzes proprietary and ACS Census data to provide an index of housing affordability and homeownership burden across the 100 most populous cities in the country. Median home prices are calculated using over 800,000 listings in the RealtyHop database over the month prior to publication.

To calculate the index, the following statistics are used:

1) Projected median household income

2) Median for-sale home listing prices via RealtyHop data

3) Local property taxes via ACS Census data

4) Mortgage expenses, assuming a 30-year mortgage, a 678% mortgage interest rate based on reported weekly averages in the past four weeks, and a 20% down payment.

See below for previous RealtyHop Housing Affordability Studies:

Full Data

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