Ten U.S. metros where a median household spends under 30% of income on a home

Redfin examined sale-price data and median household incomes for the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, using figures up to June 2026, to determine how much of a typical earners’ paycheck goes toward a mortgage. The study assumes a 20% down payment, a 30-year loan and standard taxes and fees, and it flags any market where the monthly payment stays at or under 30% of median monthly earnings. Little Rock, Arkansas leads the ranking with a 25.4% housing cost burden and a median home price of $259,224, while Gary, Indiana ranks tenth at 27.5% of income.

The other cities—Oklahoma City, Indianapolis, Baton Rouge, Dayton, Louisville, St. Louis, Des Moines, and Pittsburgh—show housing cost shares between 25.7% and 27.4%, with median home prices ranging from $274,179 to $324,030 and median incomes from $73,170 to $93,984. All ten metros keep mortgage payments below the 30% guideline, offering more disposable income than the national average, where buyers typically spend close to 40% of earnings on housing.