Homes were less affordable than historical averages in almost every county with sufficient data to analyze for the fourth quarter of 2025, according to a new report from ATTOM.
Out of the 594 counties analyzed for the report, 99% (586) of the counties had median-priced single-family homes and condos that were less affordable than historical averages in the final quarter of the year. That continued the trend from the previous two quarters, as the national median home price has hovered around a record high of $365,000. ATTOM added the median sales price of a home has risen 54% over the past five years while typical wages only increased by 29%.
On the flip side, homes were more affordable in the fourth quarter than the third quarter in 86% (511) of the 594 counties analyzed.
“Many Americans were priced out of buying a home in 2025, and affordability remains worse than historic norms in most markets,” said Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM. “Still, modest, quarter-over-quarter affordability improvements in many markets at the end of the year offered some encouragement. Over the past five years, home price growth has nearly doubled wage growth, meaning home buying power in 2026 will depend not only on whether prices level off or decline, but also on mortgage rates and broader economic conditions.”
