Median incomes, by definition, don’t reflect the full range of individual financial situations. That’s why Zoocasa calculated the maximum affordability for both the lower and upper bounds of middle-class incomes, using data from SmartAsset’s income ranges, to better capture the full spectrum of housing affordability for middle-class Americans.
Who is middle class in America?
- 51% of Americans are in the middle class (Pew Research Center).
- The median national income is $80,610.
- A middle-class income ranges from two-thirds to twice the median income, resulting in a national range of $53,740 to $161,220.
Not All Middle-Class Buyers Have the Same Shot at Homeownership
Middle-class Americans are hard to define. They make up the largest share of the population, but their range in income creates a wide gap in lifestyle, well-being, and buying power. Those in the upper bounds of the middle class might be able to afford homes priced over $1 million, while those on the lower bounds may struggle to afford their rent.
Take this example of the middle-class affordability gap: In 100 cities, people earning a lower middle-class income cannot afford a home at the median price. In contrast, upper-middle-class earners can purchase a median-priced home in 85 cities.
This affordability gap reflects a broader economic strain. At a time when more Americans than ever are working multiple jobs, with 50.2% of college graduates having a side gig, maintaining middle-class status has become less about upward mobility and more about affording basic needs, like housing.
Not surprisingly, cities with lower median home prices offer middle-class Americans at the lower end of the income range the best shot at homeownership.
Pittsburgh, Wichita, and Toledo have the smallest gap between what these middle-class Americans can afford and what a median home actually costs. However, Pittsburgh homebuyers will still be $27,000 short of the median home price, while buyers in Toledo will be $45,000 short.
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In 33 cities, home buyers at the lower end of the middle-class income range can only afford a home priced under $200,000—a rarity in today’s real estate market, especially given the current national median home price of $402,300. This includes buyers from Baltimore and Buffalo to Tucson and San Antonio.
These findings align with recent estimates from the National Association of Home Builders, which show that 76.4 million households cannot afford a $300,000 home. If incomes don’t rise and more affordable housing isn’t built, homeownership may increasingly become reserved for the upper-middle and upper classes.
Still, higher incomes don’t always translate to greater affordability. New York, Los Angeles, and Miami each have an over $400,000 gap between what those in the lower end of the middle class can afford and the median home price.
Meanwhile, several California cities have over $1 million gaps, including San Jose and Anaheim. This is despite the fact that Americans in the lower bounds of the middle class in San Jose earn $90,810—higher than the upper bounds of Detroit’s middle class.
Some High-Earning Middle-Class Buyers Could Afford Two Median Homes
Being able to afford one median-priced home is a financial feat in and of itself, but some middle-class Americans earn enough to afford two. In 16 cities, including Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Omaha, and Virginia Beach, the upper bounds of the middle class income can buy two median-priced homes.
While high-earning middle-class buyers cannot quite afford a second home in every city, they come pretty close in many of them. For instance, in Arlington, Virginia, a home buyer at the upper end of the middle-class income range can afford a home priced up to $1.2 million. With the median home price at just $630,900, they’re only about $2,000 short of being able to buy a second median-priced home.
Similarly, home buyers in Fort Worth, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Louisville, and St. Louis are less than $50,000 short of being able to buy a second home with their income.
But even for high-earning middle-class buyers, homeownership isn’t easily attainable in every city. In 15 cities, the middle class is completely priced out of the median-priced housing market, suggesting that only those in the upper income bracket can afford to buy a home in places like Scottsdale, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York.
Could middle-class Americans eventually get squeezed out of the housing market? While it might feel like everything is getting more expensive (and in some cases, it is), the number of lower-income households that own homes has actually increased. According to the U.S. Census, 48.1% of households with family incomes below the median owned a home in 1994, and by Q1 2025, that number increased to 52.1%. For households with family incomes at or above the median, the homeownership rate has hardly changed over the past 30 years, decreasing slightly from 78.5% in 1994 to 78.1% in 2025.
So while middle-class Americans are not currently priced out of the market, depending on their income tier, they may need to get creative with their pursuit of homeownership. Adopting strategies like co-buying or rentvesting can help make monthly housing costs more affordable, while government home buying assistance programs can also help first-time buyers save for a down payment or get a loan.
Regardless of income, prospective home buyers should work with a qualified real estate agent to find opportunities within their budget. Not sure where to start? Contact an agent today to take the first step toward homeownership.
