ATTOM Report Finds Homes Remain Largely Unaffordable in US Counties in Q1 2026

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ATTOM's Q1 2026 U.S. Home Affordability Report found homes less affordable than historical averages in 97% of counties analyzed. The national median home price rose 8% from $333,438 to $360,000 since Q1 2024, while average wages increased 6.4%. 69.1% of counties had major monthly home expenses exceeding 28% of typical wages, making ownership unaffordable by standard guidelines.

Why it matters

The report highlights the ongoing challenges of housing affordability across the U.S., with many markets requiring an outsized portion of residents' incomes to cover major home expenses. This trend has significant implications for homeownership rates, household budgets, and economic mobility.

The details

The report found that major monthly expenses for median-priced single-family homes and condos exceeded historic norms in 560 out of the 580 counties included in the analysis. This is a slight improvement over the previous quarter, when median-priced homes were less affordable than their historical averages in 98% of the counties. Mortgage rates declined throughout 2025 but rose in March 2026, reaching 6.22%, putting additional pressure on home buyers.

• The Q1 2026 report was released on March 27, 2026.
• The national median home price held steady between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 at $360,000.
• Median home prices rose year-over-year in 61.7% of the 580 counties analyzed.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The report's findings are likely to spur ongoing discussions about housing affordability policies and potential solutions to address the widening gap between home prices and wages in many U.S. markets.