For most likely homebuyers , the tangible estate market is looking grim . Mortgage rates havedoubledfrom3 percentage loansin early 2022 to over 6 percent in 2023 ; a want of inventory can result to bid wars in spicy markets .
Is there sound news show for anyone other than real estate agents ? In some market , yes — but you ’ve receive to be willing to relocate .
A new data analytic thinking by mortgage lenderRocket HomesandBestPlaces.netexamined 383 metropolitan area and assessed quality - of - life chemical element like crime rates , unemployment rates , and environmental issues . Next , investigator looked at their various literal estate mart , finding the median menage price and expected monthly mortgage payment that would demonstrate well-heeled for buyers score $ 65,000 annually . commonwealth income and gross revenue taxes were also factored . The idea was to find 10 metro country demonstrating affordable trapping potential , with mortgage defrayal not to surpass 30 percent of gross monthly income — a common prescript of thumb .

The overall success : the Midwest .
Rank
Location
Median Home Price
Est . Monthly Mortgage Payment
1
Wausau , WI
$ 228,770
$ 1482
2
Lafayette , IN
$ 240,078
$ 1347
3
Columbia , MO
$ 274,592
$ 1603
4
Grand Forks , ND
$ 255,143
$ 1531
5
Morgantown , WV
$ 212,961
$ 1162
6
Bangor , ME
$ 244,145
$ 1525
7
Pittsburgh , PA
$ 208,446
$ 1330
8
Chambersburg , PA
$ 252,282
$ 1537
9
Syracuse , NY
$ 204,402
$ 1501
10
Lansing , MI
$ 222,711
$ 1441
Wausau , Wisconsin land in first place , with a median family terms of just over $ 228,000 and heap of outdoor activity ( skiing , hiking ) . Lafayette , Indiana gives those earning $ 65,000 a little bit of a financial shock , as it ’s well above the area ’s median income of $ 54,490 . Others , like Columbia , Missouri , and Syracuse , New York , have plentiful amusement and shopping options thanks to nearby universities .
The count on mortgage payment was calculated using a 6.5 pct sake charge per unit and a 20 percent down payment , along with average attribute taxation for the arena . It does n’t let in dwelling insurance policy premiums .
While this data is useful , “ affordable ” is always a relative terminal figure . In high - demand housing markets , it ’s not uncommon for buyers to payabovea dwelling ’s list asking cost , an amount that may or may not be financed by a lender count on the attribute ’s appraised value . You might , for illustration , bear $ 275,000 for a home listed at $ 250,000 . If it only appraises for $ 250,000 , you must pen a confirmation for the down payment ( $ 50,000 ) plus the additional $ 25,000 .
Nor does this leaning take into consideration home inventory , which can commute day by day . As of this penning , Wausau has just 26 individual - family line homesfor sales agreement .
The bottom line ? It ’s still hard to purchase a theater , but these mart may give you a better starting side .
[ h / tThe New York Times ]