Home Value-to-Income Ratio
Compare median home value to median household income. A ratio of 3.0 means homes cost 3× annual income (more affordable), while 8.0 means homes cost 8× income (less affordable). Lower ratios = better affordability.
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Dollar Goes Furthest
Compare home affordability across 19,000+ US cities, towns, and ZIP codes. Find the most affordable places to live in America with data from Zillow and US Census.
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Data from Zillow & US Census
Zillow (current) + Census ACS 2018-2022
Updated monthly
How We Help You Compare
Three simple metrics to understand affordability anywhere in America
Cost-of-Living Basket
For select cities, we include essentials: groceries, utilities, transportation, and childcare for a complete picture.
Cities, Towns, ZIPs
Compare 50k+ cities, 10k-50k small cities, and towns under 10k. Also search by ZIP code for precise local insights.
Explore Rankings
Jump to city size:
Most Affordable Large Cities
Major metros (500,000+ population) where your money goes furthest
1
Memphis
TN
Top 10% Most Affordable
Most affordableScore: 94
Ratio: 2.8
Pop: 629,063
2
Detroit
MI
Top 10% Most Affordable
#2Score: 91
Ratio: 1.9
Pop: 636,644
3
Baltimore
MD
Top 25% Most Affordable
#3Score: 82
Ratio: 3.1
Pop: 577,193
4
Oklahoma City
OK
Top 25% Most Affordable
#4Score: 79
Ratio: 3.0
Pop: 688,693
5
Kansas City
MO
Above Average Affordability
#5Score: 64
Ratio: 3.6
Pop: 508,233
6
Philadelphia
PA
Above Average Affordability
#6Score: 53
Ratio: 3.8
Pop: 1,582,432
7
Jacksonville
FL
Above Average Affordability
#7Score: 52
Ratio: 4.2
Pop: 961,739
8
Columbus
OH
Above Average Affordability
#8Score: 52
Ratio: 3.7
Pop: 906,480
9
El Paso
TX
Below Average Affordability
#9Score: 45
Ratio: 3.9
Pop: 678,147
10
Seattle
WA
Below Average Affordability
Least affordableScore: 40
Ratio: 6.9
Pop: 741,440
| Percentile | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Memphis TN | 94 | 2.8 | Top 10% Most Affordable | 629,063 |
2 | Detroit MI | 91 | 1.9 | Top 10% Most Affordable | 636,644 |
3 | Baltimore MD | 82 | 3.1 | Top 25% Most Affordable | 577,193 |
4 | Oklahoma City OK | 79 | 3.0 | Top 25% Most Affordable | 688,693 |
5 | Kansas City MO | 64 | 3.6 | Above Average Affordability | 508,233 |
6 | Philadelphia PA | 53 | 3.8 | Above Average Affordability | 1,582,432 |
7 | Jacksonville FL | 52 | 4.2 | Above Average Affordability | 961,739 |
8 | Columbus OH | 52 | 3.7 | Above Average Affordability | 906,480 |
9 | El Paso TX | 45 | 3.9 | Below Average Affordability | 678,147 |
10 | Seattle WA | 40 | 6.9 | Below Average Affordability | 741,440 |
Most Affordable Mid-Size Cities
Cities (50,000-499,999 population) with great value
1
Youngstown
OH
Top 5% Most Affordable
Most affordableScore: 99
Ratio: 1.9
Pop: 59,605
2
Gary
IN
Top 5% Most Affordable
#2Score: 97
Ratio: 2.3
Pop: 68,604
3
Enid
OK
Top 10% Most Affordable
#3Score: 94
Ratio: 2.1
Pop: 50,821
4
Shreveport
LA
Top 10% Most Affordable
#4Score: 93
Ratio: 2.7
Pop: 183,483
5
Jackson
MS
Top 10% Most Affordable
#5Score: 93
Ratio: 1.9
Pop: 149,827
6
Flint
MI
Top 10% Most Affordable
#6Score: 91
Ratio: 1.7
Pop: 80,835
7
Port Arthur
TX
Top 10% Most Affordable
#7Score: 91
Ratio: 2.6
Pop: 55,779
8
Lawton
OK
Top 10% Most Affordable
#8Score: 90
Ratio: 2.6
Pop: 90,662
9
Montgomery
AL
Top 25% Most Affordable
#9Score: 89
Ratio: 2.6
Pop: 198,440
10
Anderson
IN
Top 25% Most Affordable
Least affordableScore: 89
Ratio: 2.8
Pop: 54,930
| Percentile | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Youngstown OH | 99 | 1.9 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 59,605 |
2 | Gary IN | 97 | 2.3 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 68,604 |
3 | Enid OK | 94 | 2.1 | Top 10% Most Affordable | 50,821 |
4 | Shreveport LA | 93 | 2.7 | Top 10% Most Affordable | 183,483 |
5 | Jackson MS | 93 | 1.9 | Top 10% Most Affordable | 149,827 |
6 | Flint MI | 91 | 1.7 | Top 10% Most Affordable | 80,835 |
7 | Port Arthur TX | 91 | 2.6 | Top 10% Most Affordable | 55,779 |
8 | Lawton OK | 90 | 2.6 | Top 10% Most Affordable | 90,662 |
9 | Montgomery AL | 89 | 2.6 | Top 25% Most Affordable | 198,440 |
10 | Anderson IN | 89 | 2.8 | Top 25% Most Affordable | 54,930 |
Most Affordable Small Cities
Smaller cities (10,000-49,999 population) with exceptional value
1
Borger
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
Most affordableScore: 99
Ratio: 1.7
Pop: 12,398
2
Big Spring
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
#2Score: 99
Ratio: 1.9
Pop: 24,769
3
Pampa
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
#3Score: 99
Ratio: 1.9
Pop: 16,735
4
Bogalusa
LA
Top 5% Most Affordable
#4Score: 98
Ratio: 2.2
Pop: 10,539
5
Sharon
PA
Top 5% Most Affordable
#5Score: 98
Ratio: 1.5
Pop: 13,019
6
Lovington
NM
Top 5% Most Affordable
#6Score: 98
Ratio: 2.6
Pop: 11,444
7
Fort Madison
IA
Top 5% Most Affordable
#7Score: 98
Ratio: 2.1
Pop: 10,221
8
Sweetwater
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
#8Score: 97
Ratio: 2.2
Pop: 10,484
9
Clarksburg
WV
Top 5% Most Affordable
#9Score: 97
Ratio: 2.4
Pop: 15,829
10
Portales
NM
Top 5% Most Affordable
Least affordableScore: 97
Ratio: 2.6
Pop: 12,023
| Percentile | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Borger TX | 99 | 1.7 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 12,398 |
2 | Big Spring TX | 99 | 1.9 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 24,769 |
3 | Pampa TX | 99 | 1.9 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 16,735 |
4 | Bogalusa LA | 98 | 2.2 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 10,539 |
5 | Sharon PA | 98 | 1.5 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 13,019 |
6 | Lovington NM | 98 | 2.6 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 11,444 |
7 | Fort Madison IA | 98 | 2.1 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 10,221 |
8 | Sweetwater TX | 97 | 2.2 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 10,484 |
9 | Clarksburg WV | 97 | 2.4 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 15,829 |
10 | Portales NM | 97 | 2.6 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 12,023 |
Most Affordable Towns
Small towns (under 10,000 population) with low costs
1
Freer
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
Most affordableScore: 100
Ratio: 0.9
Pop: 2,524
2
Morton
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
#2Score: 100
Ratio: 1.1
Pop: 1,510
3
Electra
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
#3Score: 100
Ratio: 1.1
Pop: 2,259
4
Rotan
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
#4Score: 100
Ratio: 1.2
Pop: 1,232
5
Sterling City
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
#5Score: 100
Ratio: 1.3
Pop: 1,173
6
Ralls
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
#6Score: 100
Ratio: 1.4
Pop: 1,524
7
Kermit
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
#7Score: 100
Ratio: 1.3
Pop: 5,681
8
Coahoma
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
#8Score: 100
Ratio: 1.5
Pop: 1,519
9
Wellington
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
#9Score: 100
Ratio: 1.6
Pop: 2,008
10
Benavides
TX
Top 5% Most Affordable
Least affordableScore: 100
Ratio: 1.6
Pop: 1,399
| Percentile | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Freer TX | 100 | 0.9 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 2,524 |
2 | Morton TX | 100 | 1.1 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 1,510 |
3 | Electra TX | 100 | 1.1 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 2,259 |
4 | Rotan TX | 100 | 1.2 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 1,232 |
5 | Sterling City TX | 100 | 1.3 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 1,173 |
6 | Ralls TX | 100 | 1.4 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 1,524 |
7 | Kermit TX | 100 | 1.3 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 5,681 |
8 | Coahoma TX | 100 | 1.5 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 1,519 |
9 | Wellington TX | 100 | 1.6 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 2,008 |
10 | Benavides TX | 100 | 1.6 | Top 5% Most Affordable | 1,399 |
Least Affordable Large Cities
Major metros (500,000+ population) with highest costs
1
New York
NY
Bottom 25% Affordability
Most affordableScore: 10
Ratio: 10.0
Pop: 8,516,202
2
Los Angeles
CA
Bottom 25% Affordability
#2Score: 14
Ratio: 11.5
Pop: 3,857,897
3
Boston
MA
Bottom 25% Affordability
#3Score: 16
Ratio: 8.2
Pop: 663,972
4
Portland
OR
Bottom 25% Affordability
#4Score: 19
Ratio: 5.9
Pop: 642,715
5
Houston
TX
Bottom 25% Affordability
#5Score: 20
Ratio: 4.2
Pop: 2,300,419
6
Tucson
AZ
Bottom 25% Affordability
#6Score: 22
Ratio: 5.9
Pop: 543,348
7
Denver
CO
Bottom 25% Affordability
#7Score: 22
Ratio: 5.7
Pop: 713,734
8
Dallas
TX
Bottom 25% Affordability
#8Score: 22
Ratio: 4.5
Pop: 1,299,553
9
San Diego
CA
Bottom 25% Affordability
#9Score: 22
Ratio: 9.3
Pop: 1,385,061
10
Las Vegas
NV
Bottom 25% Affordability
Least affordableScore: 22
Ratio: 6.0
Pop: 650,873
| Percentile | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New York NY | 10 | 10.0 | Bottom 25% Affordability | 8,516,202 |
2 | Los Angeles CA | 14 | 11.5 | Bottom 25% Affordability | 3,857,897 |
3 | Boston MA | 16 | 8.2 | Bottom 25% Affordability | 663,972 |
4 | Portland OR | 19 | 5.9 | Bottom 25% Affordability | 642,715 |
5 | Houston TX | 20 | 4.2 | Bottom 25% Affordability | 2,300,419 |
6 | Tucson AZ | 22 | 5.9 | Bottom 25% Affordability | 543,348 |
7 | Denver CO | 22 | 5.7 | Bottom 25% Affordability | 713,734 |
8 | Dallas TX | 22 | 4.5 | Bottom 25% Affordability | 1,299,553 |
9 | San Diego CA | 22 | 9.3 | Bottom 25% Affordability | 1,385,061 |
10 | Las Vegas NV | 22 | 6.0 | Bottom 25% Affordability | 650,873 |
Least Affordable Mid-Size Cities
Cities (50,000-499,999 population) with higher costs
1
Santa Barbara
CA
Bottom 10% Affordability
Most affordableScore: 1
Ratio: 17.2
Pop: 88,024
2
Lakewood
NJ
Bottom 10% Affordability
#2Score: 1
Ratio: 9.7
Pop: 69,884
3
Newark
NJ
Bottom 10% Affordability
#3Score: 1
Ratio: 9.8
Pop: 307,188
4
Paterson
NJ
Bottom 10% Affordability
#4Score: 2
Ratio: 9.6
Pop: 157,660
5
Passaic
NJ
Bottom 10% Affordability
#5Score: 2
Ratio: 9.5
Pop: 69,651
6
Union City
NJ
Bottom 10% Affordability
#6Score: 2
Ratio: 8.5
Pop: 66,375
7
Elizabeth
NJ
Bottom 10% Affordability
#7Score: 2
Ratio: 8.3
Pop: 135,887
8
Watsonville
CA
Bottom 10% Affordability
#8Score: 2
Ratio: 10.9
Pop: 51,968
9
Bellingham
WA
Bottom 10% Affordability
#9Score: 2
Ratio: 9.9
Pop: 92,367
10
Perth Amboy
NJ
Bottom 10% Affordability
Least affordableScore: 2
Ratio: 8.3
Pop: 55,278
| Percentile | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Santa Barbara CA | 1 | 17.2 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 88,024 |
2 | Lakewood NJ | 1 | 9.7 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 69,884 |
3 | Newark NJ | 1 | 9.8 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 307,188 |
4 | Paterson NJ | 2 | 9.6 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 157,660 |
5 | Passaic NJ | 2 | 9.5 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 69,651 |
6 | Union City NJ | 2 | 8.5 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 66,375 |
7 | Elizabeth NJ | 2 | 8.3 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 135,887 |
8 | Watsonville CA | 2 | 10.9 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 51,968 |
9 | Bellingham WA | 2 | 9.9 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 92,367 |
10 | Perth Amboy NJ | 2 | 8.3 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 55,278 |
Least Affordable Small Cities
Smaller cities (10,000-49,999 population) with higher costs
1
Isla Vista
CA
Bottom 10% Affordability
Most affordableScore: 0
Ratio: 59.6
Pop: 13,717
2
Monsey
NY
Bottom 10% Affordability
#2Score: 0
Ratio: 24.3
Pop: 27,787
3
Nantucket
MA
Bottom 10% Affordability
#3Score: 0
Ratio: 26.8
Pop: 10,837
4
Spring Valley
NY
Bottom 10% Affordability
#4Score: 0
Ratio: 15.0
Pop: 32,995
5
Jackson
WY
Bottom 10% Affordability
#5Score: 0
Ratio: 17.0
Pop: 10,746
6
Opa-locka
FL
Bottom 10% Affordability
#6Score: 0
Ratio: 14.5
Pop: 16,097
7
Greenwich
CT
Bottom 10% Affordability
#7Score: 0
Ratio: 15.4
Pop: 14,528
8
Hillsborough
CA
Bottom 10% Affordability
#8Score: 1
Ratio: 19.8
Pop: 11,122
9
Key Largo
FL
Bottom 10% Affordability
#9Score: 1
Ratio: 13.2
Pop: 12,069
10
San Luis Obispo
CA
Bottom 10% Affordability
Least affordableScore: 1
Ratio: 15.9
Pop: 48,039
| Percentile | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Isla Vista CA | 0 | 59.6 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 13,717 |
2 | Monsey NY | 0 | 24.3 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 27,787 |
3 | Nantucket MA | 0 | 26.8 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 10,837 |
4 | Spring Valley NY | 0 | 15.0 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 32,995 |
5 | Jackson WY | 0 | 17.0 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 10,746 |
6 | Opa-locka FL | 0 | 14.5 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 16,097 |
7 | Greenwich CT | 0 | 15.4 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 14,528 |
8 | Hillsborough CA | 1 | 19.8 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 11,122 |
9 | Key Largo FL | 1 | 13.2 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 12,069 |
10 | San Luis Obispo CA | 1 | 15.9 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 48,039 |
Least Affordable Towns
Small towns (under 10,000 population) with premium pricing
1
Wilson
WY
Bottom 10% Affordability
Most affordableScore: 0
Ratio: 30.5
Pop: 1,255
2
Oak Bluffs
MA
Bottom 10% Affordability
#2Score: 0
Ratio: 20.4
Pop: 1,357
3
Medina
TX
Bottom 10% Affordability
#3Score: 0
Ratio: 16.8
Pop: 4,073
4
Aspen
CO
Bottom 10% Affordability
#4Score: 0
Ratio: 41.6
Pop: 6,862
5
Harwich Port
MA
Bottom 10% Affordability
#5Score: 0
Ratio: 16.0
Pop: 2,011
6
Mountain Village
CO
Bottom 10% Affordability
#6Score: 0
Ratio: 34.5
Pop: 1,713
7
Atherton
CA
Bottom 10% Affordability
#7Score: 0
Ratio: 30.0
Pop: 7,021
8
Meredith
NH
Bottom 10% Affordability
#8Score: 0
Ratio: 12.6
Pop: 2,887
9
Big Sky
MT
Bottom 10% Affordability
#9Score: 0
Ratio: 17.6
Pop: 2,388
10
Sea Isle City
NJ
Bottom 10% Affordability
Least affordableScore: 0
Ratio: 14.2
Pop: 2,079
| Percentile | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Wilson WY | 0 | 30.5 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 1,255 |
2 | Oak Bluffs MA | 0 | 20.4 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 1,357 |
3 | Medina TX | 0 | 16.8 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 4,073 |
4 | Aspen CO | 0 | 41.6 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 6,862 |
5 | Harwich Port MA | 0 | 16.0 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 2,011 |
6 | Mountain Village CO | 0 | 34.5 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 1,713 |
7 | Atherton CA | 0 | 30.0 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 7,021 |
8 | Meredith NH | 0 | 12.6 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 2,887 |
9 | Big Sky MT | 0 | 17.6 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 2,388 |
10 | Sea Isle City NJ | 0 | 14.2 | Bottom 10% Affordability | 2,079 |
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Our methodology combines Zillow home values with US Census income data. No paywalls, no gimmicks—just real affordability insights.