Home Affordability by City & State 2026 | Wealthvieu

The same $100,000 salary buys a $370,000 home in the national average — but only $130,000 in San Francisco and over $500,000 in Memphis. Location is the single biggest variable in home affordability. This hub covers what your salary buys in every major market. Salary to Buy a Home: State Comparison Approximate salary needed to buy the median-priced home in each state with 10% down: State Median Home Price Salary Needed State Guide California ~$750,000 ~$205,000 Full guide Colorado ~$520,000 ~$142,000 Full guide Washington ~$570,000 ~$155,000 Full guide New York ~$430,000 ~$117,000 Full guide Virginia ~$400,000 ~$109,000 Full guide Arizona ~$390,000 ~$106,000 Full guide Florida ~$380,000 ~$104,000 Full guide North Carolina ~$330,000 ~$90,000 Full guide Georgia ~$320,000 ~$87,000 Full guide Texas ~$300,000 ~$82,000 Full guide Salary needed uses 28% front-end rule, 10% down, 6.5% rate, state-average property taxes. City Median Home Price Min Household Income Can I Afford? San Francisco ~$1,300,000 ~$355,000 Full guide New York City ~$800,000 ~$218,000 Full guide Los Angeles ~$900,000 ~$245,000 Full guide Chicago ~$360,000 ~$98,000 Full guide Dallas ~$350,000 ~$95,000 Full guide Houston ~$290,000 ~$79,000 Full guide Why Location Changes Affordability So Much Three location-specific factors adjust your real buying power beyond just home prices: 1. Property tax rates — Texas has no income tax but ~1.6% property tax rates (adding ~$400/month on a $300K home). California caps property tax at 1% under Prop 13 but has high state income tax. New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation (~2.2%). 2. State income tax — States with no income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada) give you ~5–10% more take-home pay, which translates directly into buying power. On $100K salary, moving from California (~9.3% state tax) to Texas saves $7,000–$9,000/year. 3. HOA and condo fees — Urban condos and newer planned communities often carry $400–$800/month in HOA fees. This directly reduces the loan payment you can afford. A $600/month HOA on a $100K income leaves you roughly $80,000–$100,000 less buying power. Location Guides by State Salary to Buy a House in Arizona Salary to Buy a House in California Salary to Buy a House in Colorado Salary to Buy a House in Florida Salary to Buy a House in Georgia Salary to Buy a House in New York Salary to Buy a House in North Carolina Salary to Buy a House in Texas Salary to Buy a House in Virginia Salary to Bu...