Most Affordable Starter-Home Markets
States ranked by starter-home affordability, using Zillow's bottom-tier home value index against income. Ideal for first-time and budget-focused buyers.
| # | State | Est. home value | Est. payment | Income needed | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois · IL | $153,966 | $1,162 | $49,800 | 100 |
| 2 | Iowa · IA | $131,287 | $991 | $42,471 | 100 |
| 3 | Kansas · KS | $121,950 | $921 | $39,471 | 100 |
| 4 | Louisiana · LA | $114,413 | $864 | $37,029 | 100 |
| 5 | Mississippi · MS | $99,536 | $751 | $32,186 | 100 |
| 6 | Oklahoma · OK | $120,874 | $912 | $39,086 | 100 |
| 7 | West Virginia · WV | $89,313 | $674 | $28,886 | 100 |
| 8 | Alabama · AL | $121,090 | $914 | $39,171 | 99 |
| 9 | Arkansas · AR | $116,679 | $881 | $37,757 | 96 |
| 10 | Kentucky · KY | $126,126 | $952 | $40,800 | 94 |
| 11 | Ohio · OH | $141,036 | $1,065 | $45,643 | 94 |
| 12 | Michigan · MI | $144,630 | $1,092 | $46,800 | 93 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $159,111 | $1,201 | $51,471 | 90 |
| 14 | North Dakota · ND | $166,250 | $1,255 | $53,786 | 84 |
| 15 | Missouri · MO | $152,265 | $1,149 | $49,243 | 83 |
| 16 | Indiana · IN | $157,087 | $1,186 | $50,829 | 82 |
| 17 | Nebraska · NE | $170,086 | $1,284 | $55,029 | 80 |
| 18 | Texas · TX | $186,551 | $1,408 | $60,343 | 72 |
| 19 | Minnesota · MN | $223,763 | $1,689 | $72,386 | 67 |
| 20 | South Dakota · SD | $188,389 | $1,422 | $60,943 | 66 |
| 21 | Maryland | $265,716 | $2,006 | $85,971 | 65 |
| 22 | South Carolina · SC | $175,199 | $1,323 | $56,700 | 65 |
| 23 | Georgia · GA | $199,132 | $1,503 | $64,414 | 63 |
| 24 | Virginia | $243,078 | $1,835 | $78,643 | 63 |
| 25 | Alaska · AK | $251,971 | $1,902 | $81,514 | 58 |
| 26 | North Carolina · NC | $197,657 | $1,492 | $63,943 | 58 |
| 27 | Wisconsin · WI | $216,297 | $1,633 | $69,986 | 57 |
| 28 | New York · NY | $243,400 | $1,837 | $78,729 | 56 |
| 29 | Tennessee · TN | $193,019 | $1,457 | $62,443 | 56 |
| 30 | Wyoming · WY | $235,277 | $1,776 | $76,114 | 49 |
| 31 | Connecticut · CT | $306,112 | $2,311 | $99,043 | 46 |
| 32 | District of Columbia · DC | $346,035 | $2,612 | $111,943 | 46 |
| 33 | Florida · FL | $233,915 | $1,766 | $75,686 | 46 |
| 34 | New Mexico · NM | $200,957 | $1,517 | $65,014 | 46 |
| 35 | Vermont · VT | $260,385 | $1,966 | $84,257 | 44 |
| 36 | Delaware · DE | $278,545 | $2,103 | $90,129 | 43 |
| 37 | Maine · ME | $251,091 | $1,896 | $81,257 | 40 |
| 38 | New Jersey · NJ | $364,216 | $2,750 | $117,857 | 38 |
| 39 | New Hampshire · NH | $350,941 | $2,649 | $113,529 | 37 |
| 40 | Arizona · AZ | $298,157 | $2,251 | $96,471 | 33 |
| 41 | Colorado · CO | $362,532 | $2,737 | $117,300 | 32 |
| 42 | Montana · MT | $283,241 | $2,138 | $91,629 | 30 |
| 43 | Washington · WA | $396,672 | $2,995 | $128,357 | 28 |
| 44 | Massachusetts · MA | $435,652 | $3,289 | $140,957 | 27 |
| 45 | Nevada · NV | $322,105 | $2,432 | $104,229 | 27 |
| 46 | Utah · UT | $393,070 | $2,967 | $127,157 | 27 |
| 47 | Oregon · OR | $355,418 | $2,683 | $114,986 | 25 |
| 48 | Rhode Island · RI | $383,776 | $2,897 | $124,157 | 25 |
| 49 | Hawaii · HI | $452,076 | $3,413 | $146,271 | 23 |
| 50 | Idaho · ID | $340,086 | $2,567 | $110,014 | 23 |
| 51 | California · CA | $473,542 | $3,575 | $153,214 | 19 |
Sources — Home values & rent: Zillow Research, 2026-05 · Income: U.S. Census ACS. Zillow does not endorse this site.
How this ranking is built
Uses Zillow bottom-tier ZHVI (entry-level homes) rather than the mid-tier typical home. 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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- Most Affordable Starter-Home Markets
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- Best Cities for First-Time Buyers
- Best Buyer-Opportunity Markets
- Markets With the Most Price Cuts
- 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), 2026-05; income is from the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-year 2023). Figures are estimates, not appraisals.
How is the ranking calculated?
Uses Zillow bottom-tier ZHVI (entry-level homes) rather than the mid-tier typical home. 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, 2026-05). 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), 2026-05. 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.