In 2024, the median salary for the typical American home buyer has risen to $104,339—up from $88,000 just two years prior.
Despite record-high home prices, housing demand continues to outpace supply, even with mortgage rates at their highest in over a decade. As one bright spot, housing inventory is steadily increasing, with the number of homes for sale up almost 19% in May compared to the previous year. This growth in inventory could help ease the cost of home ownership looking ahead.
The Cost of Home Ownership in 2024
Below, we rank U.S. metro areas based on the salary needed to buy a median-priced home.
Note: These calculations determine the salary needed to afford the principal, interest, taxes, and insurance payments on a median-priced home in the corresponding metro area as of May 2024. Figures reflect homes with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and a 20% down payment.
| 2024 Ranking | Metro Area | State | Median Home Price | Salary Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | California | $1,840,000 | $463,886.5 |
| 2 | San Francisco | California | $1,300,000 | $336,170.4 |
| 3 | San Diego | California | $981,000 | $241,783.5 |
| 4 | Los Angeles | California | $823,000 | $207,030.2 |
| 5 | Seattle | Washington | $755,300 | $191,332.4 |
| 6 | New York City | New York | $659,200 | $186,122.8 |
| 7 | Boston | Massachusetts | $704,700 | $186,058.7 |
| 8 | Denver | Colorado | $651,000 | $160,874.3 |
| 9 | Miami | Florida | $625,000 | $159,528.2 |
| 10 | Washington, D.C. | N/A | $600,200 | $155,370.4 |
| National | $389,400 | $104,339.0 |
As the most expensive city overall, residents in San Jose require a salary of $463,887 for a median-priced home in 2024—more than quadruple the national average.
Since 2023, this required salary has skyrocketed almost $100,000, soaring to a monthly payment of $10,824 to own a home. One reason why San Jose prices are sky-high: it sits at the heart of Silicon Valley. On average, homes on the market sell in roughly nine days.
Like San Jose, the San Francisco metro area is highly unaffordable. In May, median home prices stood at $1.3 million. The metro area houses more billionaires than anywhere in the world, in addition to having among the most individuals with $100 million in investable wealth globally.
On the other hand, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis are the most affordable metro areas in the dataset, where a salary under $70,000 can buy a median-priced home.
