Real Estate
Less Than 40% Of U.S. Households Can Afford A Starter Home, Study Finds
Another recent study found that 242 cities across the U.S. now have starter homes that cost at least $1 million.
July 1, 2026
Buying a first home remains out of reach for many Americans, with fewer than 4 in 10 non-homeowner households able to afford a typical starter home, a new LendingTree analysis found.
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A typical starter home costs $200,000, with LendingTree defining entry-level homes as owner-occupied properties valued at the 25th percentile of the housing market. The analysis found that only 38% of households that don't already own a home could afford one.
Starter homes tend to be smaller and require more repairs or updates than higher-priced homes, but they often provide buyers with their first opportunity to build equity. Without access to entry-level homes, some Americans may be missing out on what is considered to be one of the biggest wealth-building opportunities.
Find out what's happening in San Franciscofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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