Housing Affordability Remains Historically Low

Housing affordability has declined in a majority of counties across the U.S. According to property data provider ATTOM’s Q-1 2026 Home Affordability Report, new and resale homes were less affordable than historical averages in 560, or 97%, of the 580 counties analyzed in the report. Still, housing affordability has improved slightly from the prior quarter when median-priced homes were less affordable than their historical averages in 567, or 98%, of those counties.

A majority of counties saw home-price increases in Q-1 2026

The national median home price remained unchanged from the previous quarter at $360,000. However, median home prices rose year-over-year in 358, or 61.7%, of the 580 counties analyzed.

Of those counties, the largest increases in median home prices were in Honolulu County, Hawaii, which saw a 12% increase; Cuyahoga County, Ohio, with a 5% increase; Tarrant County, Texas, with an increase of 5%; and Queens County, N.Y., and Franklin County, Ohio, which both saw increases of 4%.

Slow wage growth is also hindering housing affordability

Home prices have grown in recent years, but slow wage growth also is part of the challenge. In 401, or 69.1%, of the counties analyzed in this latest report, major monthly home expenses exceeded 28% of residents’ wages—making ownership unaffordable by standard guidelines.

In some counties, monthly housing expenses far surpassed 28% of residents’ wages. In Orange County, Calif., for instance, monthly housing costs accounted for 88.1% of the typical resident’s wages, and in Los Angeles County, those costs accounted for 66% of residents’ wages. In San Diego County, monthly housing expenses make up 65.7% of residents' wages.