A perfect storm of factors has a housing crisis brewing in rural America. Here's why country living is costing more

Core Insights - The cost of living, particularly housing, is rising significantly in rural America, with median home prices increasing by 61.5% from Q3 2019 to Q3 2025, reaching $280,900, while median household income only rose by 33.3% during the same period [2] - The estimated income required for rural homebuyers to afford housing has surged by 105.8%, from $36,206 pre-pandemic to $74,508 currently, based on the traditional 30% rule for housing costs [3] Group 1: Housing Affordability - Rural communities are facing severe challenges in housing affordability, exacerbated by a significant increase in home prices compared to income growth [2][3] - The supply of new housing in rural areas has not kept pace with the increased demand, leading to further price increases [6] Group 2: Migration Trends - The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a notable migration from urban areas to rural regions, particularly among high earners seeking remote work opportunities, which has intensified competition for housing [5] - The influx of buyers with larger budgets from out-of-state has contributed to driving up prices in rural markets [6] Group 3: Demographic Factors - The percentage of the population over 65 in rural areas is higher (19.2%) compared to non-rural areas (15.7%), which may influence housing affordability and demand dynamics [7] - The age of housing stock in rural regions has declined, with only 2.9% of houses being five years old or newer in 2023, down from 9.4% in 2000, indicating a lack of new development [7]