Home prices vary enormously across the United States. A median-priced home in West Virginia costs less than a down payment on a median home in Hawaii. Here’s the complete state-by-state breakdown.
Table of Contents
Median Home Price by State (2026)
| Rank | State | Median Home Price | YoY Change | Price-to-Income Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $890,000 | +3.2% | 10.1x |
| 2 | California | $785,000 | +4.1% | 8.5x |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $620,000 | +5.2% | 6.4x |
| 4 | Washington | $595,000 | +3.8% | 6.5x |
| 5 | Colorado | $570,000 | +2.9% | 6.2x |
| 6 | New Jersey | $530,000 | +6.1% | 5.5x |
| 7 | New York | $525,000 | +4.5% | 6.5x |
| 8 | Oregon | $510,000 | +3.0% | 6.4x |
| 9 | Connecticut | $485,000 | +7.2% | 5.4x |
| 10 | Utah | $480,000 | +2.5% | 5.6x |
| 11 | Montana | $475,000 | +1.8% | 7.2x |
| 12 | Nevada | $460,000 | +3.5% | 6.5x |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $455,000 | +6.8% | 5.8x |
| 14 | Maryland | $438,000 | +4.0% | 4.5x |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $435,000 | +5.5% | 5.0x |
| 16 | Idaho | $430,000 | +1.2% | 6.2x |
| 17 | Arizona | $425,000 | +2.8% | 5.8x |
| 18 | Virginia | $420,000 | +4.2% | 4.7x |
| 19 | Maine | $395,000 | +6.5% | 5.7x |
| 20 | Florida | $390,000 | +1.5% | 5.5x |
| 21 | Delaware | $380,000 | +5.0% | 4.8x |
| 22 | Vermont | $375,000 | +5.8% | 5.3x |
| 23 | Alaska | $370,000 | +2.0% | 4.2x |
| 24 | Minnesota | $355,000 | +3.5% | 4.2x |
| 25 | Illinois | $290,000 | +5.0% | 3.7x |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $285,000 | +5.5% | 3.9x |
| 27 | North Carolina | $345,000 | +4.5% | 5.0x |
| 28 | Tennessee | $340,000 | +3.8% | 5.0x |
| 29 | South Carolina | $330,000 | +4.2% | 5.2x |
| 30 | Georgia | $325,000 | +3.5% | 4.6x |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $310,000 | +4.8% | 4.2x |
| 32 | Texas | $305,000 | +1.0% | 4.0x |
| 33 | New Mexico | $295,000 | +3.5% | 5.0x |
| 34 | North Dakota | $280,000 | +2.0% | 3.8x |
| 35 | Nebraska | $275,000 | +4.5% | 3.6x |
| 36 | South Dakota | $285,000 | +3.2% | 4.0x |
| 37 | Missouri | $260,000 | +4.0% | 3.8x |
| 38 | Wyoming | $310,000 | +2.5% | 4.5x |
| 39 | Michigan | $255,000 | +5.2% | 3.7x |
| 40 | Indiana | $250,000 | +5.0% | 3.8x |
| 41 | Alabama | $235,000 | +4.8% | 4.0x |
| 42 | Ohio | $230,000 | +5.5% | 3.5x |
| 43 | Kansas | $235,000 | +4.2% | 3.4x |
| 44 | Louisiana | $225,000 | +2.0% | 3.7x |
| 45 | Iowa | $220,000 | +4.0% | 3.2x |
| 46 | Kentucky | $218,000 | +4.5% | 3.6x |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $210,000 | +3.0% | 3.4x |
| 48 | Arkansas | $185,000 | +3.5% | 3.2x |
| 49 | Mississippi | $180,000 | +3.0% | 3.5x |
| 50 | West Virginia | $148,000 | +4.0% | 2.8x |
Most Affordable States to Buy a Home
| State | Median Home Price | Median Income | Price-to-Income | Mortgage Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $148,000 | $52,500 | 2.8x | $780/mo |
| Iowa | $220,000 | $68,700 | 3.2x | $1,160/mo |
| Arkansas | $185,000 | $57,300 | 3.2x | $975/mo |
| Kansas | $235,000 | $68,900 | 3.4x | $1,240/mo |
| Oklahoma | $210,000 | $61,500 | 3.4x | $1,107/mo |
Mortgage payment assumes 20% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed.
Most Expensive States to Buy a Home
| State | Median Home Price | Median Income | Price-to-Income | Mortgage Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $890,000 | $88,200 | 10.1x | $4,500/mo |
| California | $785,000 | $92,000 | 8.5x | $3,970/mo |
| Montana | $475,000 | $66,000 | 7.2x | $2,400/mo |
| Washington | $595,000 | $91,600 | 6.5x | $3,010/mo |
| Massachusetts | $620,000 | $97,000 | 6.4x | $3,135/mo |
Home Price Growth by State (5-Year Change)
| Fastest Growing | 5-Year Change | Slowest Growing | 5-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | +72% | Illinois | +28% |
| Maine | +68% | Louisiana | +18% |
| Connecticut | +65% | North Dakota | +22% |
| New Hampshire | +62% | Alaska | +20% |
| Rhode Island | +60% | Texas | +15% |
Income Required to Afford a Home by State
Based on the 28% housing ratio rule with 20% down and a 6.5% rate:
| State | Median Price | Income Needed | Median Income | Affordable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $890,000 | $192,000 | $88,200 | No |
| California | $785,000 | $169,500 | $92,000 | No |
| Massachusetts | $620,000 | $134,000 | $97,000 | No |
| Colorado | $570,000 | $123,000 | $92,000 | No |
| Ohio | $230,000 | $49,700 | $66,000 | Yes |
| Iowa | $220,000 | $47,500 | $68,700 | Yes |
| West Virginia | $148,000 | $32,000 | $52,500 | Yes |
For a detailed look at what you can afford, use our mortgage affordability calculator or see the income needed to afford a home.
Home Prices vs Income Over Time
| Year | Median Home Price | Median Household Income | Price-to-Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | $165,300 | $42,000 | 3.9x |
| 2005 | $240,900 | $46,300 | 5.2x |
| 2010 | $221,800 | $49,400 | 4.5x |
| 2015 | $270,200 | $56,500 | 4.8x |
| 2020 | $329,000 | $67,500 | 4.9x |
| 2026 | $429,000 | $78,000 | 5.5x |
Homes are less affordable relative to income than at any point in modern history — even more stretched than the 2005 housing bubble peak for many markets.
Bottom Line
Home prices vary by more than 6x across states, making location the single biggest factor in affordability. If homeownership is a priority, consider markets where the price-to-income ratio is under 4x, or explore first-time buyer programs and down payment assistance to bridge the gap.
For city-level data, see our average home price by city guide, and for the national picture, see median home price.
