Coastal states prepared the ground – with a number of shocking exceptions
Housing is more and more unaffordable for a lot of People. Home costs have risen for months on finish, and mortgage charges are nonetheless nicely above pandemic-era lows, pushing housing funds to near-record ranges. Wages haven’t saved up, both, resulting in a serious affordability hole and pushing extra folks right into a pricey rental market. By many metrics, housing has by no means been extra out of attain. A provide scarcity is the first perpetrator.
Rising residing bills had been a serious cause why folks flocked to extra inexpensive elements of the nation in the course of the pandemic. Areas in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and the Rust Belt blossomed, whereas coastal cities noticed inhabitants declines.
Though this pattern has principally normalized in the present day, it leaves us with an necessary query: in a market the place so many are in search of affordability, the place are properties nonetheless the costliest? What are the costliest states to purchase a home? Whether or not you’re searching for one thing costly or wish to know which states to keep away from, this Redfin article is for you.
U.S. housing market at a look
Median sale worth:
$428,000
Median family revenue:
$78,538
Median month-to-month housing fee: $1,902
The ten costliest states to purchase a home
1. California
Median sale worth: $785,000
Median family revenue: $96,334
Median month-to-month housing fee: $2,865
California is the costliest state to purchase a home within the U.S. Excessive home costs – pushed by a serious provide scarcity – paired with excessive month-to-month funds, gasoline prices, and taxes make it an costly place to stay. The state’s median family revenue can be excessive however typically inadequate to comfortably afford housing. It’s no marvel a big share of Californians are cost-burdened.
California is dwelling to seven of the ten costliest cities within the nation, principally situated within the Bay Space and SoCal. Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Francisco are among the many priciest. Importantly, local weather dangers and insurance coverage struggles are taking part in a rising position in each day life, with dwelling insurance coverage changing into costlier and even unavailable for a lot of California householders.
That mentioned, the Golden State stays a dreamlike place to name dwelling. With greater than 3,400 miles of protected shoreline, world-famous nationwide parks, and wildly various climates, California provides an unmatched mix of out of doors journey, financial alternative, and group. Essentially the most inexpensive cities in California are Porterville and Tulare.
California properties on the market | California homes for lease | California flats for lease
2. Hawaii
Median sale worth: $779,000
Median family revenue: $98,317
Median month-to-month housing fee: $2,863
Identified for its idyllic seashores, volcanic landscapes, and Native tradition, Hawaii is usually thought of paradise on earth. The climate is fantastic, residents are pleasant, and facilities are plentiful. Individuals love the variety and lifestyle throughout its six main islands. Nonetheless, this paradise comes at a steep value.
Hawaii is the second-most costly state to purchase a home within the U.S. Not like California, the place some cities stay inexpensive, Hawaii is persistently costly throughout its many islands – particularly in O’ahu, dwelling to Honolulu. Hawaii’s solely city with home costs close to the nationwide median is Waianae.
Past housing, Hawaii’s value of residing is among the many highest within the U.S. The value of utilities (particularly electrical energy) and on a regular basis items are the best within the nation. Pair that with low wages and a tourist-heavy financial system that makes it unaffordable for a lot of locals to stay there, and Hawaii appears much more costly. In brief, whereas shopping for a house is pricey in Hawaii, residing there might value much more.
Hawaii properties on the market | Hawaii homes for lease | Hawaii flats for lease
3. Massachusetts
Median sale worth: $622,000
Median family revenue: $101,341
Median month-to-month housing fee: $2,659
Massachusetts is wealthy with historical past and East Coast persona, dwelling to thriving tech industries, famend higher-ed, and gorgeous coastlines. Simply be able to shell out for the privilege of residing within the Bay State; its walkable cities and excessive paying jobs come at a worth. Home costs are the third-highest within the nation, with many cities passing the million greenback mark.
Boston isn’t even the costliest metropolis; surrounding suburbs and smaller cities truly include the heftiest worth tags. Edgartown, West Tisbury, and Duxbury, coastal respites, are the costliest locations in Massachusetts. If you happen to’re searching for affordability, cities like Springfield and New Bedford are your finest guess.
Add in excessive taxes and vitality prices, and your pockets may really feel the squeeze. There are efforts to enhance entry to inexpensive housing statewide, which can assist these struggling to enter the market.
Massachusetts properties on the market | Massachusetts homes for lease | Massachusetts flats for lease
4. Colorado
Median sale worth: $607,000
Median family revenue: $92,470
Median month-to-month housing fee: $2,231
Colorado, the Mile Excessive State dwelling to 300 days of sunshine, is the fourth-most costly U.S. state. A various mixture of mountain vistas, raging rivers, hip cities, and industrial cities makes it a terrific place to stay.
Regardless of little inhabitants progress in recent times, demand nonetheless outpaces provide, driving costs increased. Denver’s craft beer scene is prospering, Boulder’s tech sector continues to develop, and ritzy mountain cities like Aspen and Avon frequently see a few of the nation’s costliest dwelling gross sales. Essentially the most inexpensive cities are Pueblo and Greeley, within the flat northeast.
Colorado properties on the market | Colorado homes for lease | Colorado flats for lease
5. Washington
Median sale worth: $606,000
Median family revenue: $94,952
Median month-to-month housing fee: $2,358
Washington is the fifth-most costly state within the nation to purchase a home. The median home worth is almost $200,000 over the nationwide common, and paired with comparatively excessive taxes, residing within the Evergreen State doesn’t come low-cost. Seattle’s suburbs prime the checklist of the costliest cities, whereas Jap Washington cities like Yakima are among the many most inexpensive. Nonetheless, discovering a house under the nationwide median wherever in Washington is usually a problem.
That’s to not say it isn’t value it if you happen to can afford it. Identified for its iconic mountain ranges, tech scene, and legendary espresso tradition, Washington uniquely combines pure magnificence with big-city buzz. From the misty forests of the Olympic Peninsula to the skyscrapers of downtown Seattle, the state brims with alternative.
Washington properties on the market | Washington homes for lease | Washington flats for lease
6. New York
Median sale worth: $571,000
Median family revenue: $84,579
Median month-to-month housing fee: $2,501
New York is a famously ritzy and gritty state. Most individuals affiliate it with its namesake metropolis – the most important within the nation – however a majority of the state is definitely rural. Beautiful, forested mountains, meandering canals, giant lakes, and extra outline the panorama, with famously industrial cities offering nice locations to stay.
Manhattan simply leads the pack as the costliest place to stay within the Empire State, with neighborhoods like TriBeCa and SoHo commanding multimillion greenback costs. The price of residing is a outstanding 131% increased than the nationwide common, however personalities might even outsize the funds it’s essential stay there. Outdoors of NYC, excessive costs prolong to luxurious retreats just like the Hamptons, in addition to prosperous areas in Westchester County and elements of Lengthy Island. In the meantime, costs drop significantly in industrial cities like Rochester and Syracuse, which have gotten in style refuges of affordability.
New York properties on the market | New York homes for lease | New York flats for lease
7. Utah
Median sale worth: $567,000
Median family revenue: $91,750
Median month-to-month housing fee: $1,927
Utah may shock you with regards to housing prices. Due to a thriving job market, regular stream of recent residents, gorgeous surroundings, and long-term housing scarcity, dwelling costs right here have been on a gradual climb. The median sale worth has risen over $220,000 up to now 5 years.
The Wasatch Entrance – highlighted by Salt Lake Metropolis – is on the heart of all of it, with tech corporations sprouting alongside the “Silicon Slopes” and close by suburbs rising quickly. Nonetheless, smaller cities near world-class ski resorts and nationwide parks demand the best costs. The most costly cities within the state are Park Metropolis and Hideout; probably the most inexpensive are Ogden and Logan.
That mentioned, there’s lots to like about residing within the Beehive State – like easy accessibility to the outside, a thriving arts scene, and loads of universities and hip cities. If you happen to can deal with paying a premium, Utah may simply be value each penny.
Utah properties on the market | Utah homes for lease | Utah flats for lease
8. Montana
Median sale worth: $541,000
Median family revenue: $69,922
Median month-to-month housing fee: $1,736
1000’s of coastal homebuyers flocked to Montana’s mountain cities in the course of the pandemic, searching for extensive open landscapes and an inexpensive place to stay. Whereas progress has slowed, the consequence has been quickly spiking housing prices, particularly in fashionable, upscale cities like Bozeman and Whitefish. Statewide, home costs have risen by 55% since 2020, however in Bozeman, they’ve greater than doubled.
Locals have struggled with the growing prices, particularly as a result of wages haven’t saved up. In accordance with NAR, Montana truly has the least inexpensive housing within the nation when evaluating native wages and home costs.
Nonetheless, for many who can afford to settle below Montana’s “Big Sky,” the payoff could be large. There’s an infinite provide of out of doors adventures – climbing, fishing, and snowboarding amongst them – plus a powerful sense of group that’s powerful to seek out in larger city hubs.
Montana properties on the market | Montana homes for lease | Montana flats for lease
9. New Jersey
Median sale worth: $538,000
Median family revenue: $101,050
Median month-to-month housing fee: $2,787
New Jersey is the ninth-most costly state to purchase a home, even earlier than factoring in its famously excessive property taxes. Fortunately, it additionally has a few of the highest median wages within the nation, serving to offset the steep value of residing. Its proximity to NYC and Philadelphia performs a serious position, with cities in northern New Jersey – similar to Hoboken, Jersey Metropolis, and Montclair – commanding significantly excessive costs resulting from easy accessibility to Manhattan. Coastal areas like Cape Could and elements of the Jersey Shore additionally see premium dwelling values, particularly in sought-after seaside communities.
That mentioned, New Jersey is usually a excellent place to stay. The Backyard State’s various neighborhoods – starting from buzzing city hubs to quiet suburbia – supply a bit little bit of every part. If you happen to can deal with the excessive value, you’ll discover a state that’s filled with nature, stable profession alternatives, and easy accessibility to big-city life by way of an enormous rail community.
New Jersey properties on the market | New Jersey homes for lease | New Jersey flats for lease
10. Oregon
Median sale worth: $508,000
Median family revenue: $80,426
Median month-to-month housing fee: $2,080
Oregon is a lush state filled with pure marvel, progressive tradition, and down-to-earth cities. It’s most likely finest recognized for its rugged coastlines and hipster-friendly espresso retailers, nevertheless it’s additionally one of many pricier locations to calm down. The median dwelling worth sits ~$100,000 above the nationwide common, and classy cities like Bend have seen a $280,000 rise in costs.
Toss in a comparatively excessive revenue tax (although there’s no gross sales tax) and also you’ll discover that residing within the Beaver State can value a fairly penny. The most costly locations in Oregon are Stafford and Sunriver; probably the most inexpensive cities are Medford and Springfield.
Nonetheless, loads of of us are comfortable to pay for Oregon’s laid-back vibe and pure magnificence. Whether or not you’re climbing round Mount Hood, exploring the brewery scene in Bend, or having fun with a scenic drive alongside the Pacific coast, there’s at all times one thing gorgeous to expertise.
Oregon properties on the market | Oregon homes for lease | Oregon flats for lease
Full median sale worth rankings by state
Rank
State
Median Sale Value
1
California
$785,200
2
Hawaii
$779,000
3
Massachusetts
$622,100
4
Colorado
$607,300
5
Washington
$606,000
6
New York
$571,300
7
Utah
$566,800
8
Montana
$540,700
9
New Jersey
$538,300
10
Oregon
$507,900
11
Rhode Island
$506,600
12
New Hampshire
$487,700
13
Idaho
$480,500
14
Nevada
$455,000
15
Arizona
$454,600
16
Virginia
$425,600
17
Maine
$415,800
18
Connecticut
$415,500
19
Vermont
$414,400
20
Maryland
$411,000
21
Florida
$410,600
22
Wyoming
$409,600
23
Alaska
$388,700
24
Tennessee
$383,400
25
South Carolina
$377,600
26
North Carolina
$367,600
27
Georgia
$359,900
28
New Mexico
$345,100
29
Delaware
$343,300
30
Minnesota
$342,400
31
Texas
$335,600
32
South Dakota
$317,400
33
Wisconsin
$302,700
34
Pennsylvania
$287,400
35
Illinois
$284,000
36
North Dakota
$278,800
37
Alabama
$277,900
38
Nebraska
$275,100
39
Kentucky
$265,200
40
Kansas
$262,500
41
Arkansas
$256,100
42
Indiana
$255,100
43
Louisiana
$252,600
44
Missouri
$251,900
45
Mississippi
$249,700
46
Michigan
$248,000
47
West Virginia
$243,100
48
Oklahoma
$236,700
49
Ohio
$231,400
50
Iowa
$227,500
Methodology
States had been ranked by median sale costs in March 2025, in response to Redfin knowledge. Median family revenue and median month-to-month housing fee knowledge (together with mortgage) is from the U.S. Census Bureau. Value of residing knowledge comes from Redfin and the Council for Group and Financial Analysis by way of the Missouri Financial Analysis and Data Middle. Tax charges come from the Tax Basis.