Homes were less affordable than historical averages in 97% of counties with sufficient data to analyze for the first quarter of this year, according to a new data report from ATTOM.
The new report found major monthly expenses for median-priced single-family homes and condos exceeded historic norms in 560 out of the 580 counties included in ATTOM’s analysis. Still, this is slightly better than the fourth quarter of 2025 data that found median priced homes were less affordable than their historical averages in 98% (567) of the 580 counties. One year earlier, that figure was 564 out of 580 counties.
ATTOM determines affordability for average wage earners by calculating the amount of income needed to meet major monthly homeownership expenses on a median-priced single-family home and condo, assuming a 20% down payment and a 28% maximum “front-end” debt-to-income ratio.
ATTOM noted the national median home price rose over the past two years by 8% from $333,438 to $360,000, but average weekly wages only increased by 6.4%.
California’s Los Angeles County was the least affordable market in ATTOM’s report – home expenses required 66% of a typical resident’s wages. Pennsylvania’s Philadelphia County was the most affordable county – only 17.3% of a typical resident’s wages were needed to cover home expenses.
“Over the last several years, wages haven’t kept up with rising home prices in many markets,” said Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM. “Mortgage rates dropped throughout last year, which offset some of that growing affordability gap, but shifts in the broader economic environment can still influence rates and home purchasing power.”
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