Affordable Family-Home Markets
States ranked by affordability of a 3-bedroom family home, using Zillow's by-bedroom home value index. This is the family-home affordability gap in action.
| # | State | Est. home value | Est. payment | Income needed | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | $241,013 | $1,819 | $77,957 | 45 |
| 2 | Kansas | $238,013 | $1,797 | $77,014 | 45 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | $217,741 | $1,644 | $70,457 | 42 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $197,230 | $1,489 | $63,814 | 42 |
| 5 | Ohio | $241,658 | $1,824 | $78,171 | 41 |
| 6 | Texas | $268,828 | $2,029 | $86,957 | 40 |
| 7 | Indiana | $252,920 | $1,909 | $81,814 | 38 |
| 8 | Louisiana | $215,289 | $1,625 | $69,643 | 38 |
| 9 | Illinois | $303,562 | $2,292 | $98,229 | 36 |
| 10 | Nebraska | $277,955 | $2,098 | $89,914 | 36 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $282,356 | $2,132 | $91,371 | 36 |
| 12 | Alabama | $237,175 | $1,790 | $76,714 | 34 |
| 13 | Maryland | $388,797 | $2,935 | $125,786 | 34 |
| 14 | Michigan | $270,374 | $2,041 | $87,471 | 34 |
| 15 | Mississippi | $209,090 | $1,578 | $67,629 | 34 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $289,939 | $2,189 | $93,814 | 34 |
| 17 | Georgia | $291,219 | $2,198 | $94,200 | 33 |
| 18 | Missouri | $268,395 | $2,026 | $86,829 | 33 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $346,103 | $2,613 | $111,986 | 32 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $251,401 | $1,898 | $81,343 | 31 |
| 21 | Virginia | $369,320 | $2,788 | $119,486 | 30 |
| 22 | Arkansas | $243,604 | $1,839 | $78,814 | 29 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $307,210 | $2,319 | $99,386 | 27 |
| 24 | Delaware | $364,427 | $2,751 | $117,900 | 25 |
| 25 | New York | $372,737 | $2,814 | $120,600 | 25 |
| 26 | South Carolina | $298,886 | $2,256 | $96,686 | 24 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $339,875 | $2,566 | $109,971 | 24 |
| 28 | Alaska | $410,705 | $3,100 | $132,857 | 23 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $317,236 | $2,395 | $102,643 | 23 |
| 30 | Connecticut | $437,669 | $3,304 | $141,600 | 22 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $330,178 | $2,493 | $106,843 | 19 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $368,571 | $2,782 | $119,229 | 19 |
| 33 | Arizona | $403,470 | $3,046 | $130,543 | 16 |
| 34 | Florida | $377,634 | $2,851 | $122,186 | 16 |
| 35 | Utah | $481,525 | $3,635 | $155,786 | 16 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $333,471 | $2,517 | $107,871 | 15 |
| 37 | Colorado | $504,129 | $3,806 | $163,114 | 14 |
| 38 | Nevada | $421,611 | $3,183 | $136,414 | 13 |
| 39 | New Hampshire | $535,736 | $4,044 | $173,314 | 13 |
| 40 | New Jersey | $559,912 | $4,227 | $181,157 | 13 |
| 41 | Vermont | $432,047 | $3,262 | $139,800 | 13 |
| 42 | District of Columbia | $638,285 | $4,819 | $206,529 | 10 |
| 43 | Oregon | $481,228 | $3,633 | $155,700 | 10 |
| 44 | Rhode Island | $509,863 | $3,849 | $164,957 | 10 |
| 45 | Idaho | $456,858 | $3,449 | $147,814 | 9 |
| 46 | Maine | $441,180 | $3,331 | $142,757 | 9 |
| 47 | Washington | $571,106 | $4,311 | $184,757 | 9 |
| 48 | Massachusetts | $632,476 | $4,775 | $204,643 | 8 |
| 49 | Montana | $491,993 | $3,714 | $159,171 | 3 |
| 50 | California | $727,693 | $5,493 | $235,414 | 1 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $911,452 | $6,881 | $294,900 | 0 |
Sources — Home values & rent: Zillow Research, 2026-09 · Income: U.S. Census ACS. Zillow does not endorse this site.
How this ranking is built
Uses Zillow 3-bedroom ZHVI (falling back to 4-bedroom or mid-tier where unavailable). Every figure is an educational estimate. See the full methodology, then customize the math on the Home Payment Atlas mortgage calculator.
Explore more rankings
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Frequently asked questions
Where does this ranking's data come from?
Home values and rent are from Zillow Research (ZHVI/ZORI), 2026-09; income is from the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-year 2023). Figures are estimates, not appraisals.
How is the ranking calculated?
Uses Zillow 3-bedroom ZHVI (falling back to 4-bedroom or mid-tier where unavailable). Full details are on the methodology page.
How do I adjust the assumptions?
Open the Home Payment Atlas calculator to set your own down payment, rate, taxes, insurance, and PMI.
About these estimates & data sources
Home values and rents reflect Zillow Research data (ZHVI and ZORI, 2026-09). Household income reflects U.S. Census ACS data. All figures are estimates for general comparison, not appraisals or quotes — confirm details before relying on them.
Home values and rent: Zillow Research (ZHVI, ZORI), 2026-09. Geography and FIPS codes: U.S. Census Bureau (Cartographic Boundary Files). Household income: U.S. Census ACS. Detailed payment math: Home Payment Atlas. Zillow does not endorse this site.
Figures are educational estimates only and are not financial, legal, tax, mortgage, or real-estate advice, and not a loan offer. Verify every number with lenders, agents, tax authorities, and official sources. See our methodology and terms & disclaimer.