A new Realtor.com report shows the income needed to afford a typical starter home in the US has surged by more than 80% since 2019, far outpacing wage growth and deepening concerns about housing affordability. The findings highlight how home prices have climbed sharply in recent years, pushing homeownership further out of reach for many first-time buyers even as some regions still offer relatively affordable options.

According to the report, prospective buyers now need an annual household income of roughly $78,000 (£61,000) to afford a typical starter home, up from about $43,000 (£34,000) in 2019. The report also identifies specific regions where starter homes remain more accessible, offering first-time buyers a wider selection of properties despite the broader nationwide affordability squeeze.