When people talk about affordable housing, they usually mean low prices. What they don’t talk about is whether anyone who actually lives there can afford those homes on a local salary. These cities stand out because housing costs and incomes are closer to balance. You don’t need perfect timing or a miracle loan for it to make sense.
1. Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore sits in a rare middle zone where prices aren’t bargain-basement, but wages aren’t getting completely outrun either. Realtor.com’s affordability benchmark put Baltimore’s typical housing costs around one-third of the local median household income (about 33.6%) using its May 2025 assumptions. People still complain about prices, but you’re not automatically priced out the way you would be in nearby coastal hotspots. That “I could actually do this” feeling is more common here than people expect.
You’ll see it in the housing stock: more normal starter homes, more rowhouse inventory, and fewer listings that feel horrifying. Neighborhoods vary massively, so the city punishes lazy research, but it rewards people who do their homework. A lot of buyers here aren’t chasing a dream house—they’re chasing a manageable monthly payment.
2. Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville has a way of feeling livable even when you’re not making tech money. The housing market isn’t frozen in time, but it also hasn’t turned into a bidding-war. People can still find homes that don’t require a family bailout or a second job. That alone makes it stand out in 2026.
The city’s appeal is that it has “real city” amenities without the constant price escalation. You’ll find solid neighborhoods where the houses look normal, and the commutes don’t eat your life. It’s also a place where renting doesn’t feel like throwing money into an endless pit.
3. Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is one of those places where the housing still behaves like it remembers what wages are. Realtor.com’s affordability benchmark had Buffalo’s typical housing costs at roughly a third of local median household income. That’s not “cheap,” but it’s not the modern version of impossible either. You can look at a listing and not feel personally insulted.
The city also has something a lot of “affordable” places don’t: real housing supply with actual character. It’s not all new builds, and it’s not all investor flips with gray floors and a suspicious smell. Winters are the obvious tradeoff, but plenty of people decide the math is worth it. Buffalo’s affordability isn’t a rumor—it shows up when you compare incomes to monthly costs.
4. Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota
The Twin Cities are a good example of how “affordable” can still mean “high quality of life.” Prices are higher than in smaller Midwest markets, but the income base is also stronger, so the ratio doesn’t collapse as fast. It’s not a place where you expect miracles—you expect functioning systems and a housing market that isn’t pure chaos.
You’ll feel it in the range of options: condos, starter homes, older neighborhoods, and suburbs that aren’t priced like gated resorts. It’s also a market where being a normal professional doesn’t automatically make you the poorest person in the room. Renting can still be pricey, but it’s not always predatory in the way it is in hotter metros.
5. San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio has stayed closer to wage reality than many other large Texas metros. Realtor.com’s affordability benchmark put the typical housing cost share at about 37.1% of local median household income under its May 2025 assumptions. That’s not under the classic 30% rule, but it’s still far less brutal than places where the number starts with a 5. The city’s growth hasn’t completely severed the link between earnings and housing.
It also helps that San Antonio’s housing stock is broad, not just luxury new builds and “starter homes.” People can still buy into decent areas without needing a Silicon Valley salary. The market isn’t immune to spikes, but it doesn’t feel permanently untethered.
6. Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is practical in a way that makes financial sense. Housing costs have risen, but the city still offers a lot of “normal house, normal neighborhood” options. It’s not built around scarcity the way many coastal markets are. Buyers can still shop.
The city’s mix of industries helps keep incomes steadier than people assume. Neighborhoods vary a lot, but that variety also creates entry points for different budgets. Renters aren’t living in a permanent emergency, and buyers aren’t forced into extremes. It’s a place where you can make a plan and have it remain relevant for more than six months.
7. Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is one of the few places where the affordability numbers still look like they belong in this decade. Realtor.com’s affordability benchmark had Birmingham’s typical housing costs at about 33.5%. That means households aren’t automatically spending half their income just to own a basic home. The pressure is present, but it’s not constant suffocation.
You’ll see more homes priced for locals, not just for remote workers. The city isn’t immune to investor activity, but it still has neighborhoods where prices track what people actually earn. For buyers who don’t need a coastal brand name, it can feel surprisingly workable. It’s the kind of place where “affordability” isn’t a fantasy.
8. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is interesting because it’s a major city that still has real affordability pockets. Prices vary wildly by neighborhood, but the city hasn’t become a single-price market where everything is out of reach. That creates options, especially for buyers who can be flexible with zip code. It’s one of the few big East Coast metros where the math sometimes works.
The rowhome inventory helps because it offers a different entry point than endless single-family competition. People can still buy without automatically needing suburban sprawl. The tradeoff is that you have to choose carefully, because blocks change fast. If you’re willing to learn the city, it can still reward you.
9. Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis has grown, but it hasn’t fully turned into a “rich people only” housing market. It still offers a lot of mid-priced inventory relative to what locals earn. That keeps it in the conversation for buyers who want a city job market without city-level housing pain. =
It’s also a market where newer housing exists without being automatically luxury-coded. Suburbs and neighborhoods offer different price points, and the spectrum is wider than in many similar metros. Renting can be competitive, but it’s not always wildly detached from incomes.
10. Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland’s affordability is less about being trendy and more about being structurally possible. Housing prices have risen, but they’re still not performing the same acrobatics as hotter markets. That creates room for buyers who aren’t bringing outside money. The market can feel refreshingly normal.
It also helps that the city has a lot of existing housing stock, which keeps supply from feeling permanently strangled. Buyers can still find starter homes that look like starter homes. Renters also have more leverage than in ultra-tight cities. Cleveland isn’t everyone’s dream, but it’s often people’s most realistic option.
11. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is expensive in a lot of ways, but housing isn’t always the worst part of the equation. Compared to other major metros, there are still neighborhoods and housing types that don’t require top-1% income. Condos and two-flats create paths that don’t exist in markets dominated by single-family scarcity. You can build a plan around it.
The key is that the city isn’t one uniform market. Some areas are brutally priced, while others are still within reach for regular professionals. Taxes and fees can sting, so the monthly math needs honesty, not optimism. But for a city of its size, Chicago still gives more workable entry points than people assume.
12. Detroit, Michigan
Detroit’s affordability story is uneven, but the wage-to-housing relationship is still more favorable than in many places. Certain neighborhoods are pricey and competitive, while others remain accessible in a way that feels rare. You can still find homes that aren’t priced astronomically. That changes what’s possible for buyers who are starting from scratch.
The city also has a lot of housing stock, which matters. It means not every listing is a feeding frenzy. For households tired of being told to “just move somewhere cheaper,” this is one of the places where that advice actually aligns with real options.
13. St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis has its expensive pockets, but the overall range still includes realistic options. People can buy without feeling like they’re competing with permanent outside demand. That shifts the entire experience.
It’s also a city where your money can still buy space, not just a tightly staged box. Neighborhood choice matters a lot, but the menu is broader than in many metros. Renting is also less punishing than in hotter markets, which helps people save and plan.
14. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is a large metro where prices have stayed comparatively restrained, which keeps it in the affordability top tier. The housing stock is diverse, and a lot of it is still priced for locals rather than for speculative demand. That’s a big deal in 2026.
It also helps that Pittsburgh has multiple employment anchors, so incomes aren’t as fragile as in some low-cost markets. Neighborhoods vary, but the overall experience feels less like a race. Buyers still get outbid sometimes, but they’re not fighting a market that’s permanently out of scale with wages.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Consult a financial professional before making investment or other financial decisions. The author and publisher make no warranties of any kind.
