Strategies for Affording Housing as a Median Earner

A recent report published by the National Association of Realtors reveals that the housing shortage and affordability crisis in the U.S. would be alleviated if there were sufficient homes available for buyers at all income levels. Currently, 51% of American households have an income of $75,000 or less, meaning they can only afford houses that are priced at $250,000 or lower. Data shows that of the 1.1 million homes listed for sale, only 25% are listed within that price range. To balance the market, the report indicates that there needs to be an additional 319,460 listings priced under $250,000. 

The top five cities that have large supply shortages of affordable homes include El Paso, Texas; Boise, Idaho; Spokane, Washington; Cape Coral, Florida; and Lakeland, Florida. Conversely, Youngstown, Ohio-Pennsylvania is a region where buyers with an income of $75,000 can purchase 72% of the listings, exceeding the balanced market target rate of 66%.

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