Proven Foam party jeff bezos lauren sanchez Guide 2025 | Scholarship Region
Proven tips for foam party jeff bezos lauren sanchez. Discover professional home-accessories strategies, expert advice, ...
Top 10 Most Affordable Cities to Buy a Home in 2026, According to New Data
Purchasing a home in one of these metro areas is still a possibility.
For younger generations, buying a home has often felt like a pipe dream—but affordable options still exist, and they’re not all tiny towns you’ve never heard of. According to Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's resident home trends expert, 24 large metro areas are actually more affordable than the national average. "In these metros, home values have fallen over the past year (more deals for buyers!), and the typical monthly mortgage payment is well below $3,000," she tells House Beautiful.
So, where should you start your search for an attainable home in 2026? The data points to the Midwest and along the East Coast. "As a rule of thumb, for a home to be considered 'affordable,' it should cost 30 percent or less of your pre-tax income," Pendleton adds. Each of the 10 cities highlighted on this list meets that standard, with mortgage payments requiring less than 30 percent of a typical household’s income. For comparison, the national average household burden is currently 32.4 percent.
The list includes a diverse mix of cities in Ohio, New York, Alabama, and Michigan. If one location doesn’t feel like the right fit, keep scrolling—you just might find the perfect place to settle down.
Additional copy by Kate McGregor.
For more on real estate:
- 10 Cities People in Their 50s Are Flocking to in 2026, According to Real Estate Experts
- THESE Are the Hottest Real Estate Markets of 2026, According to New Data
- This Is How Much a Starter Home Costs in Your Area, According to Real Estate Experts
1
Getty Images
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Typical monthly mortgage payment: $2,020
Known as the "Steel City" thanks to its 446 bridges (the city is surrounded by rivers), Pittsburgh is great for those looking for city life without the need to pack their entire lives into an apartment. Pittsburgh has the lowest homeowner burden, requiring only 22.2 percent of one's income, with an annual income of about $60,400 needed to afford the typical home.
2
Jacob Boomsma//Getty Images
Birmingham, Alabama
Typical monthly mortgage payment: $1,590
The second largest city in the state, Birmingham is known as the "Magic City" due to its rapid industrial growth and its role in the Civil Rights Movement. Here, you'd have to make an annual income of $63,600 to afford a typical home, with only 24 percent going toward your mortgage.
3
Getty Images
St. Louis, Missouri
Typical monthly mortgage payment: $1,826
Home of fiercely loyal sports fans and a thriving blues music scene, St. Louis is a city for the passionate. Here, your home payments will only take up 25.6 percent of your valuable income on average, and your household would need to make about $73,000 to afford the typical home.
4
Getty Images
Detroit, Michigan
Typical monthly mortgage payment: $1,725
Detroit is on the up and up thanks to its booming automobile industry and music scene. Here, mortgages require a 25.9 percent share of annual income, which should be about $69,000 to afford the typical house.
5
Sean Pavone//Getty Images
Buffalo, New York
Typical monthly mortgage payment: $1,660
Want a perfect mix of urban jungle and nature in your city? Buffalo, New York, might be the place for you. Off of Lake Erie and the American side of Niagara Falls, Buffalo is a place where passionate sports fans, architecture buffs, art lovers, and outdoorspeople can all meet. To afford a typical home here, you'd need to make about $66,400 annually, and the average share of that income that would go to a new home is 26.3 percent.
6
Getty Images
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Typical monthly mortgage payment: $1,717
With a surprising musical theater scene, Oklahoma City is a great city for those looking for a strong arts environment. When buying a home here, you can expect to need to make about $68,700 per year to afford the typical mortgage payment of $1,717, which equates to a 26.8 percent of your annual income.
7
Getty Images
Indianapolis, Indiana
Typical monthly mortgage payment: $1,863
Indianapolis is a great city for young professionals and racing fans alike. You'd need to make about $74,500 to afford the typical home here, which would leave you with a household burden of 26.9 percent for your mortgage payment.
8
Getty Images
Louisville, Kentucky
Typical monthly mortgage payment: $1,746
Home of the Kentucky Derby, Louisville is the state's largest city. This is a great place for young families to settle down, and the average homeowner burden is just 27 percent—and the amount you'd need to make annually for a typical home is $69,800.
9
Sean Pavone//Getty Images
Memphis, Tennessee
Typical monthly mortgage payment: $1,639
Memphis is known for its great music scene and incredible barbecue. It's off the west side of the Mississippi River and has plenty of parks and outdoor areas to explore, making it great for both city dwellers and nature lovers alike. To afford the typical home, you'd need a household income of about $65,600 with a household burden of 27.5 percent towards your mortgage.
10
Getty Images
Cleveland, Ohio
Typical monthly mortgage payment: $1,707
Located at the northern tip of Ohio, Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And the city "rocks" in more ways than one, as the homeowner burden lies just above 27.8 percent with an annual income of about $68,300 for a typical abode.
Watch Next
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Readers Also Read
10 Cities People in Their 50s Are Flocking To
The 20 Most Affordable Beach Towns in the U.S.
The 10 Cities with the Best Quality of Life
These Will Be the Most Popular U.S. Cities for Families in 2026
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below