Most Affordable U.S. Cities to Buy a Home in 2026

Unlike the last several years, 2026 looks to be a great year for homebuyers who have been forced to the sidelines by rising prices, high interest rates, and other affordability concerns. As of mid-January, interest rates had dropped to a three-year low of 6.06%, marking the third consecutive month where interest rates declined.

On the heels of ongoing interest-rate declines, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has published multiple guides for homebuyers to begin the new year. One of these lists involves how much money you need to make to purchase a home in some of America’s biggest cities.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer who is getting ready to jump into the market or you want to sell your home and move to a new city, the five cities discussed below are excellent, affordable options.

Pittsburgh, PA

As we go into 2026, Pittsburgh is the most affordable metro to buy a home in. With a median listing price of around $245,000, households with moderate incomes can afford to make the Steel City home. Based on the recent NAR report, homebuyers need an annual salary of $65,000 to purchase a home in Pittsburgh.

That salary requirement is particularly notable given the broader national context: to afford the U.S. median listing price of roughly $415,000, buyers would need to earn about 70 % more than in Pittsburgh. The local economy is stabilized by a variety of industries, including healthcare, tech, and education, which makes prices approachable, even for homebuyers who fall into the middle-income bracket.

Cleveland, OH