You now need a six-figure salary to buy a home in most of the US. Here are the 10 most and 10 least expensive cities to buy one.

• A study shows that the amount of money needed to own a home is increasing.
• A handful of cities require more than a quarter-million in salary to afford a home comfortably.
• In other cities, you can afford a home with less than the US median salary.

Americans searching for homes today are facing some of the harshest conditions yet. Some people are opting for extreme measures, like living in tiny homes in expensive neighborhoods, moving in with family members, or, sometimes, a combination of both.

A number of prospective homeowners have uprooted their lives and moved to different parts of the country — or even the world — in search of a more affordable lifestyle.

The South, in particular, saw a large influx of Northerners seeking lower home prices and a lower overall cost of living. The Midwest, too, has become a hot destination due to its growing affordability.

How much money you make plays a major role in where you can afford to live. A report from Consumer Affairs shows that the amount you need to make in order to buy a home doesn’t generally align with how much people are making.

The median household income in the US was $83,730 in 2024, according to the US Census Bureau. The Consumer Affairs report found that an annual income of $120,796 is needed for homeownership, assuming a 10% down payment. That number varies depending on where you live.

The report found that California is home to the most cities that require a handsome salary, with nine out of the 10 cities in the top 10 being in the Golden State. Meanwhile, the cities that support salaries on the lower end are scattered throughout the South and Midwest.

See what cities require the highest and lowest salaries to afford a home.

The 10 cities that require the least income to afford a home

10. Macon, Georgia

Income: $67,832

Median home-sale price: $197,500

Population: 157,056 (Macon-Bibb County)

9. Fort Smith, Arkansas

Income: $67,064

Median home-sale price: $196,000

Population: 90,507

8. Columbus, Georgia

Income: $66,245

Median home-sale price: $210,000

Population: 201,830

7. Mobile, Alabama

Income: $66,241

Median home-sale price: $232,250

Population: 201,367

6. Binghamton, New York

Income: $65,989

Median home-sale price: $175,000

Population: 46,773

5. Peoria, Illinois

Income: $65,486

Median home-sale price: $145,900

Population: 111,696

4. Flint, Michigan

Income: $63,535

Median home-sale price: $50,000

Population: 79,735

3. Shreveport, Louisiana

Income: $63,030

Median home-sale price: $185,000

Population: 176,578

2. Youngstown, Ohio

Income: $59,433

Median home-sale price: $90,000

Population: 59,123

1. Huntington, West Virginia

Income: $53,650

Median home-sale price: $144,450

Population: $44,942

The 10 cities that require the most income to afford a home

10. Honolulu, HI

Income needed: $255,280

Median sales price: $605,000

Population: 344,967

9. Salinas, CA

Income needed: $262,403

Median sales price: $699,000

Population: 160,783

8. Oxnard, CA

Income needed: $276,805

Median sales price: $797,500

Population: 200,616

7. San Luis Obispo, CA

Income needed: $280,591

Median sales price: $1,102,500

Population: 49,729

6. San Diego, CA

Income needed: $293,618

Median sales price: $950,000

Population: 1,404,452

5. Los Angeles, CA

Income needed: $301,221

Median sales price: $1,025,000

Population: 3,878,704

4. Santa Maria, CA

Income needed: $305,535

Median sales price: $617,500

Population: 111,346

3. Santa Cruz, CA

Income needed: $354,973

Median sales price: $1,352,000

Population: 62,581

2. San Francisco, CA

Income needed: $358,090

Median sales price: $1,687,500

Population: 827,526

1. San Jose, CA

Income needed: $501,012

Median sales price: $1,489,000

Population: 997,368