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 | $242,697 | $1,832 | $78,514 | 44 |
| 2 | Kansas | $240,925 | $1,819 | $77,957 | 44 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | $219,739 | $1,659 | $71,100 | 41 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $199,643 | $1,507 | $64,586 | 41 |
| 5 | Ohio | $244,312 | $1,844 | $79,029 | 40 |
| 6 | Texas | $271,111 | $2,047 | $87,729 | 39 |
| 7 | Louisiana | $216,409 | $1,634 | $70,029 | 38 |
| 8 | Indiana | $255,444 | $1,928 | $82,629 | 37 |
| 9 | Illinois | $305,244 | $2,304 | $98,743 | 36 |
| 10 | Nebraska | $280,099 | $2,115 | $90,643 | 36 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $284,536 | $2,148 | $92,057 | 36 |
| 12 | Alabama | $238,477 | $1,800 | $77,143 | 34 |
| 13 | Maryland | $390,607 | $2,949 | $126,386 | 34 |
| 14 | Michigan | $272,938 | $2,060 | $88,286 | 34 |
| 15 | Mississippi | $209,968 | $1,585 | $67,929 | 34 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $289,485 | $2,185 | $93,643 | 34 |
| 17 | Georgia | $293,165 | $2,213 | $94,843 | 32 |
| 18 | Missouri | $270,411 | $2,041 | $87,471 | 32 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $348,120 | $2,628 | $112,629 | 31 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $252,761 | $1,908 | $81,771 | 30 |
| 21 | Virginia | $371,390 | $2,804 | $120,171 | 30 |
| 22 | Arkansas | $244,584 | $1,846 | $79,114 | 29 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $308,911 | $2,332 | $99,943 | 27 |
| 24 | Delaware | $365,756 | $2,761 | $118,329 | 25 |
| 25 | New York | $375,163 | $2,832 | $121,371 | 25 |
| 26 | South Carolina | $300,116 | $2,266 | $97,114 | 24 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $341,824 | $2,580 | $110,571 | 24 |
| 28 | Alaska | $411,575 | $3,107 | $133,157 | 23 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $319,512 | $2,412 | $103,371 | 23 |
| 30 | Connecticut | $440,865 | $3,328 | $142,629 | 21 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $332,368 | $2,509 | $107,529 | 19 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $369,178 | $2,787 | $119,443 | 19 |
| 33 | Arizona | $404,328 | $3,052 | $130,800 | 16 |
| 34 | Florida | $377,539 | $2,850 | $122,143 | 16 |
| 35 | Utah | $482,198 | $3,640 | $156,000 | 16 |
| 36 | Colorado | $507,643 | $3,832 | $164,229 | 14 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $334,678 | $2,527 | $108,300 | 14 |
| 38 | Nevada | $422,702 | $3,191 | $136,757 | 13 |
| 39 | New Jersey | $561,883 | $4,242 | $181,800 | 13 |
| 40 | Vermont | $436,933 | $3,298 | $141,343 | 13 |
| 41 | New Hampshire | $539,906 | $4,076 | $174,686 | 12 |
| 42 | Rhode Island | $512,342 | $3,868 | $165,771 | 10 |
| 43 | District of Columbia | $642,419 | $4,850 | $207,857 | 9 |
| 44 | Idaho | $457,004 | $3,450 | $147,857 | 9 |
| 45 | Oregon | $484,160 | $3,655 | $156,643 | 9 |
| 46 | Washington | $574,967 | $4,341 | $186,043 | 9 |
| 47 | Maine | $444,804 | $3,358 | $143,914 | 8 |
| 48 | Massachusetts | $637,485 | $4,812 | $206,229 | 8 |
| 49 | Montana | $495,662 | $3,742 | $160,371 | 3 |
| 50 | California | $729,201 | $5,505 | $235,929 | 1 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $910,699 | $6,875 | $294,643 | 0 |
Sources — Home values & rent: Zillow Research, 2026-08 · 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), 2026-08; 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, 2026-08). 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), 2026-08. 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.