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Housing Cost Burden by State (Homeowners vs. Renters)
Comparison of the percentage of median income spent on housing across selected US states.
Primary Sources
Where your state ranks on housing costs — The most and least expensive ...
Published April 22, 2026 10:22am CDT article Aerial view of single family homes line the streets on April 2, 2026 in Thousand Oaks, California. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images) According to a new analysis by WalletHub, the cost of buying a home in the United States has climbed sharply in recent years, rising much faster than inflation and pushing homeownership beyond the reach of many Americans. Even households that can afford steep mortgage payments are increasingly burdened by additional expenses, including high utility bills, further straining their finances. RELATED: US home sales hit 9-month low as rising mortgages, Iran conflict weigh on buyers The study examines mortgage and home energy expenses in all 50 states, combining them and comparing the totals to each state’s median household income to identify where Americans spend the most—and least—on housing. What they're saying: "Homeowners and home buyers have faced whiplash over the past few years, with housing prices soaring and interest rates fluctuating from historic lows back up to the highest rates in more than a decade," said Chip Lupo, a WalletHub writer and analyst. "In the most expensive state, housing costs can take up around 50% of the median income. In order to manage expensive mortgage payments and other key housing costs, it’s important for homeowners to budget effectively." Methodology: To identify the states where residents spend the most and least on housing, WalletHub analyzed three key cost components: rent, mortgage payments and home energy expenses across all 50 states. RELATED: Homebuyers are back despite rising rates — What to know The analysis combined these costs and adjusted the totals based on each state’s median monthly income. Those figures were then used to rank the states from highest to lowest housing cost burden. States where people spend the most Dig deeper: Hawaii Hawaii ranks as the most expensive state for housing relative to income, with residents spending about 50% of their earnings on mortgage payments and home energy costs. By contrast, residents in states like Iowa spend closer to 17% of their income on housing. Despite having the fourth-highest median household income in the nation at $100,389, Hawaii’s steep housing and energy costs force residents to devote a disproportionate share of their income to these expenses. The state has the highest mortgage payments and home energy costs in the country, driving its top ranking. California California ranks sec...
States Where People Spend the Most & Least on Housing - WalletHub
To highlight where Americans spend the most and least on housing, WalletHub analyzed mortgage and home energy payments across all 50 states. We then combined these costs and compared them with each state's median household income.
Severe Housing Cost Burdens are Common and Widespread for the Lowest ...
The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated to achieving racially and socially equitable public policy that ensures people with the lowest incomes have quality homes that are accessible and affordable in communities of their choice.
Map reveals states where Americans spending most on homes
People in one state are, on average, spending more than 50 percent of their monthly income on housing.
