News -Americans Need to Earn 70.1% More Today Than Six Years Ago to Afford the Median-priced Home

Core Insights - The annual income required for a U.S. household to afford a median-priced home has increased to $114,000, marking a 70.1% rise from$ 67,000 six years ago [1][4][8] - Despite affordability challenges, the housing market is showing signs of rebalancing, with increasing inventory and more flexible pricing from sellers [2][9] Housing Metrics - The median listing price in April 2025 is $431,250, reflecting a 1.5% increase from March 2025 and a 36.9% increase from April 2019 [3] - Active listings have risen to 959,251, a 30.6% increase year-over-year, although still 16.3% below the 2017-2019 norms [3][10] - The share of active listings with price reductions is at 18.0%, indicating sellers are adjusting prices to attract buyers [3][9] Required Income Analysis - The income required to afford a median-priced home has increased by$ 47,000 since 2019, driven by rising home prices and elevated mortgage rates [4] - Specific metro areas have significantly higher required incomes, with San Jose at $370,069, an increase of 54.3% since April 2019 [5] Pending Home Sales Trends - Pending home sales have declined for four consecutive months, with a 3.2% decrease in April 2025 compared to the previous year [6][7][8] - The rise in mortgage rates is a key factor contributing to the slowdown in pending home sales [6][9] Market Dynamics - The West and South regions have seen substantial growth in active listings, with San Diego and San Jose experiencing increases of 70.1% and 67.6%, respectively [10] - The current market conditions suggest that buyers may have more options and leverage, as sellers are becoming more accommodating [2][9]