News (US:NWS) Prnewswire·2025-06-25 10:00Core Insights - The affordability of housing in major U.S. metros is severely constrained, with the typical household needing to spend 44.6% of their income to afford a median-priced home as of May 2025, significantly above the recommended 30% threshold [1][8] - Only three major metropolitan areas—Pittsburgh, Detroit, and St. Louis—allow median-income earners to purchase a median-priced home without exceeding 30% of their income [3][4] - High mortgage rates and home prices are the primary factors contributing to the lack of affordability in most large metros, with the average mortgage rate at 6.82% as of May 2025 [3][7] Affordability Analysis - In Pittsburgh, the median listing price is $249,900, requiring 27.4% of household income; in Detroit, it's $270,000 (29.8%); and in St. Louis, $299,900 (30.0%) [4][6] - Conversely, in Los Angeles, the median home price is $1,195,000, necessitating over 104% of the area's median income, indicating extreme unaffordability [5][6] - Other high-cost metros include San Diego, San Jose, New York, and Boston, all with affordability ratios exceeding 60% [5][6] Market Dynamics - Demand for affordable homes is increasing, particularly in the Midwest, where some markets still offer pathways to homeownership for median-income households [2][5] - The coastal markets, particularly in California, are experiencing a significant affordability crisis, with a high percentage of renters compared to homeowners [5][6] - The overall national median home price is $440,000, with a monthly payment of $2,930, reflecting the broader affordability challenges across the country [8] Potential Solutions - To improve housing affordability, strategies could include raising incomes or lowering housing costs through reduced mortgage rates or home prices [7] - Increasing the supply of affordable homes is critical, as many markets face a growing home supply gap, which has kept prices high [7]