Home Affordability
28 articlesReaders can find loan examples, rate changes, eligibility notes and payment comparisons tied to mortgage servicers, mortgage rates and refinance options, with attention to home equity, closing costs and down payment when those details affect costs, rights, exposure or timing.
Houston, Texas: An Ideal Retirement Destination
Houston's median home price of $263,563 and no state income tax on retirement income make it a standout for retirees seeking affordability, tax relief, and access to world-class healthcare in a major U.S. metro area
Zillow Flags How Long It Now Takes to Afford a Home in America
Zillow warns that saving for a down payment and breaking even on a home purchase now takes nearly four years longer than before the pandemic, as high mortgage rates and a housing shortage reshape the financial math for buyers
Niles, MI: An Affordable and Active Retirement Destination
Niles, Michigan offers retirees below-average home prices, lower daily expenses, and tax breaks on Social Security, while providing walkable downtown amenities and access to major health care and cultural options in nearby South Bend
Homebuyers Gain Leverage as Sellers Outnumber Buyers in Key Cities
A sharp drop in active homebuyers has shifted the balance of power in many U.S. housing markets, giving buyers in select cities more room to negotiate on price, closing costs, and contingencies
Sioux Falls: A Top Retirement Destination in the Midwest
Sioux Falls stands out for retirees with home values below the national average, no state income tax, and access to major healthcare systems-factors that can stretch fixed incomes and reduce financial stress in retirement
Best Retirement Locations in the Southwestern United States
Retirees seeking lower living costs and tax advantages are increasingly looking to Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, where housing prices, property taxes, and daily expenses can be well below national averages
Iowa City: A Top Retirement Destination with Low Cost of Living and Rich Cultural Life
Retirees considering Iowa City can benefit from a cost of living 6% below the U.S. average, affordable healthcare, and tax breaks on Social Security and retirement income, all while enjoying a vibrant arts and cultural scene
Homosassa Springs: An Affordable and Nature-Filled Retirement Destination
With average home values around $234,000 and a cost of living 12% below the U.S. average, Homosassa Springs draws retirees seeking lower housing costs, no state income tax, and year-round access to Florida's waterways and wildlife
Lewes, Delaware: A Top Retirement Destination with Coastal Charm and Tax Advantages
Lewes, Delaware, stands out for retirees with its low property taxes, no state sales tax, and a walkable historic downtown near beaches-yet home prices and rents run above national averages, requiring careful budgeting for long-term residents
Where Your Dollar Goes Furthest: Comparing Cost of Living Across U.S. States
Oklahoma delivers the highest purchasing power for residents, with a cost of living index 15% below the U.S. average, while Hawaii's housing costs are nearly four times higher-reshaping where Americans can afford to live and save
Midwest Towns for Retirement: Affordable Living and Financial Benefits
Retirees considering the Midwest may benefit from lower home prices, varied state tax rules, and access to both urban and rural healthcare, but should weigh maintenance costs and local tax differences before relocating
Mortgage Rates Climb for Fifth Week, Squeezing Homebuyers' Budgets
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has reached 6.69%, the highest in over a year, making home loans more expensive and putting additional pressure on buyers already facing high housing costs
Retiring in Chicago: A Vibrant Urban Lifestyle for Seniors
Chicago's higher-than-average living costs and property taxes are offset by tax breaks on retirement income, walkable neighborhoods, and access to top hospitals, making it a compelling option for retirees seeking city life
Buffalo Niagara homeowners keep mortgage debt in check
Buffalo Niagara borrowers are not overextending on home loans, suggesting many households are keeping debt manageable even as higher borrowing costs and household expenses test budgets
Affluent Buyers Drive Uneven Rebound in U.S. Vacation-Home Market
Demand for vacation homes is rising for the first time since the pandemic, but the recovery is limited to high-income buyers as most Americans remain priced out by high mortgage rates and soaring property values
Amarillo: An Affordable and Comfortable Retirement Destination
With home values averaging $208,517 and no state income tax, Amarillo stands out for retirees seeking lower housing costs, manageable living expenses, and accessible healthcare in Texas
Small Cities Offer Affordable and Balanced Retirement Options
Retirees seeking lower housing costs and manageable daily expenses are increasingly looking to small U.S. cities, where home prices and taxes can be significantly below national averages but trade-offs in transportation and specialized healthcare remain
Homeowners' Net Worth Is Nearly 38 Times Higher
The median net worth of U.S. homeowners reached $396,500 in 2022, nearly 38 times that of renters, as rising home values and equity gains continue to widen the wealth gap between owners and renters across all age groups
How Much Couples Need to Retire in Each State
Median savings for Americans in their 30s and 40s fall far short of the typical down payment needed for a home, with high prices and closing costs widening the gap and forcing buyers to seek new strategies to build cash reserves
9 Top Places to Retire in the Western U.S.
Retirees seeking affordable living, tax advantages, and access to outdoor recreation are increasingly considering smaller Western cities like Casper, Evanston, and Pomeroy, where home prices can be over $50,000 below the national average
Home Sellers Rethink Pricing as U.S. Housing Market Slows in 2026
With more homes on the market and buyers taking their time, U.S. sellers are adjusting expectations-often pricing below recent highs and factoring in concessions to secure a deal in a slower real estate market
How Mason City Delivers Affordable Retirement Without Sacrificing Culture
Mason City, Iowa, offers retirees a cost of living 6% below the U.S. average, median home prices under $155,000, and a vibrant arts scene-raising the question of what trade-offs, if any, come with small-city retirement in 2026
Mortgage Rates Climb to 11-Month High, Squeezing Homebuyers
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has surged to 6.78%, the highest since last summer, making it even harder for buyers to afford homes as prices remain elevated and forecasts suggest little relief ahead
Congress Passes Sweeping Housing Law to Tackle Affordability Crisis
A major bipartisan housing bill aims to boost home supply and ease construction bottlenecks, but experts warn that relief for buyers and renters will take years to materialize
Sarasota's High Cost of Living vs. Florida's Tax Perks for Retirees
Retiring in Sarasota means paying above-average housing and food costs, but Florida's lack of state income tax and generous property exemptions can offset some expenses for retirees seeking an active lifestyle
Retiring in the South: Lower Costs, Tax Perks, and Key Trade-Offs
Southern cities attract retirees with affordable housing and no state income tax in places like Texas, but higher property taxes and car-dependent lifestyles can offset savings for those considering a move
How State-by-State Cost Gaps Reshape What Your Salary Can Buy
A $70,000 salary stretches much further in Oklahoma than in Hawaii or California. See how state-level cost differences can add or subtract thousands from your real spending power
US Home Prices Reach Record High as Affordability Worsens
The median price for existing homes in the US hit $440,660 in June, marking a new peak as affordability remains out of reach for many buyers and a major housing bill stalls in Washington