Where Can America's Middle Class Afford to Live?

Though owning a home may be easier today than during the housing bubble due to lower interest rates and prices, in many cities across the U.S. the middle class is widely excluded from homeownership. Trulia crunches the numbers.

2 minute read

October 10, 2013, 11:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"For the middle class today, homeownership is well within reach in some parts of the country, but in others, it’s more of a pipe dream than the American Dream," writes Jed Kolko, Trulia's chief economist. "Even after taking income differences into account, homeownership affordability varies hugely across the country."

To determine middle class affordability across the country, Kolko and his colleagues examined what percent of the housing market in a metro area is within reach of a household earning the area's median income. What they found will be heartening to those looking to live in the Midwest, and discouraging to those who would prefer San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York. 

"In Akron, OH – the most affordable of the 100 largest metros – 86% of the homes for sale are within reach of the typical household," notes Kolko. "Including Akron, the six most affordable metros are in Ohio (Dayton, Toledo, Cincinnati) and Indiana (Gary, Indianapolis)."

"The least affordable housing market in the U.S. is San Francisco," he adds. "Even though the median household income is 60% higher in San Francisco than in Akron – which means San Franciscans can afford more expensive homes – the median price per square foot in San Francisco is close to seven times higher than in Akron. As a result, just 14% of the homes for sale in San Francisco are within reach of its relatively well-paid middle class."

Thursday, October 10, 2013 in Trulia Trends Blog

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

5 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

6 hours ago - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

7 hours ago - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square