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 | $245,441 | $1,853 | $79,414 | 43 |
| 2 | Kansas | $244,154 | $1,843 | $78,986 | 43 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | $221,768 | $1,674 | $71,743 | 41 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $202,625 | $1,530 | $65,571 | 40 |
| 5 | Ohio | $247,211 | $1,866 | $79,971 | 39 |
| 6 | Louisiana | $217,633 | $1,643 | $70,414 | 38 |
| 7 | Texas | $274,645 | $2,073 | $88,843 | 38 |
| 8 | Indiana | $257,795 | $1,946 | $83,400 | 37 |
| 9 | Illinois | $307,621 | $2,322 | $99,514 | 35 |
| 10 | Nebraska | $283,935 | $2,143 | $91,843 | 35 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $288,644 | $2,179 | $93,386 | 35 |
| 12 | Mississippi | $211,486 | $1,597 | $68,443 | 34 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $289,761 | $2,187 | $93,729 | 34 |
| 14 | Alabama | $240,607 | $1,816 | $77,829 | 33 |
| 15 | Maryland | $397,250 | $2,999 | $128,529 | 33 |
| 16 | Michigan | $277,268 | $2,093 | $89,700 | 33 |
| 17 | Georgia | $297,007 | $2,242 | $96,086 | 31 |
| 18 | Missouri | $274,017 | $2,069 | $88,671 | 31 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $354,620 | $2,677 | $114,729 | 30 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $256,126 | $1,934 | $82,886 | 29 |
| 21 | Virginia | $376,329 | $2,841 | $121,757 | 29 |
| 22 | Arkansas | $246,031 | $1,857 | $79,586 | 28 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $313,125 | $2,364 | $101,314 | 26 |
| 24 | Delaware | $371,569 | $2,805 | $120,214 | 24 |
| 25 | New York | $377,176 | $2,847 | $122,014 | 24 |
| 26 | South Carolina | $303,672 | $2,292 | $98,229 | 23 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $346,089 | $2,613 | $111,986 | 23 |
| 28 | Alaska | $412,964 | $3,118 | $133,629 | 22 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $324,958 | $2,453 | $105,129 | 22 |
| 30 | Connecticut | $445,889 | $3,366 | $144,257 | 21 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $370,399 | $2,796 | $119,829 | 19 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $336,759 | $2,542 | $108,943 | 18 |
| 33 | Arizona | $409,243 | $3,089 | $132,386 | 15 |
| 34 | Florida | $380,542 | $2,873 | $123,129 | 15 |
| 35 | Utah | $489,214 | $3,693 | $158,271 | 15 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $338,526 | $2,556 | $109,543 | 14 |
| 37 | Colorado | $518,437 | $3,914 | $167,743 | 13 |
| 38 | New Jersey | $566,286 | $4,275 | $183,214 | 13 |
| 39 | Nevada | $428,193 | $3,233 | $138,557 | 12 |
| 40 | New Hampshire | $548,056 | $4,137 | $177,300 | 12 |
| 41 | Vermont | $444,092 | $3,353 | $143,700 | 12 |
| 42 | Rhode Island | $518,684 | $3,916 | $167,829 | 10 |
| 43 | Oregon | $492,331 | $3,717 | $159,300 | 9 |
| 44 | District of Columbia | $655,135 | $4,946 | $211,971 | 8 |
| 45 | Idaho | $461,277 | $3,482 | $149,229 | 8 |
| 46 | Washington | $587,431 | $4,435 | $190,071 | 8 |
| 47 | Maine | $453,447 | $3,423 | $146,700 | 7 |
| 48 | Massachusetts | $648,818 | $4,898 | $209,914 | 7 |
| 49 | Montana | $500,814 | $3,781 | $162,043 | 3 |
| 50 | California | $740,899 | $5,593 | $239,700 | 0 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $917,768 | $6,928 | $296,914 | 0 |
Sources — Home values & rent: Zillow Research, 2026-06 · 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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- Best Cities for First-Time Buyers
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- Least Competitive Housing Markets
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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), 2026-06; 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, 2026-06). 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), 2026-06. 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.