The 5 most affordable subways in America – where you get the most bang for your buck

Home affordability is top of mind for most Americans—but, even with mortgage rates trending higher, there are still cities where it’s possible to own a home without stretching your income too far.

In evaluating the nation’s largest metros, Realtor.com found that there were five cities where fewer than 30% of households could afford a home. Los Angeles, Oxnard, San Diego and San Jose in California and New York City were the least affordable in the country.

But in five cities – Pittsburgh, Akron, OH, Baltimore, Detroit and St. Louis – nearly 60% of households can afford a home. And the income needed to buy a home there is less than $84,000 a year.

In Akron, for example, where the median list price is $228,200, 68.5% of households can afford to buy a home. The median household income required to buy a home is just $55,732.

Akron was also ranked No. 9 on the list of Realtor.com’s hottest housing markets in October.

“It’s affordable in Akron, which makes a really big difference,” says real estate agent Ali Whitley, of Re/Max Crossroads in Akron. “Gen Z is becoming first-time homebuyers here. It’s a great place to shop in a great area for a reasonable price.â€

Affordability is the name of the game in the five money-saving measures below.

• Average List Price: $244,000
• Percentage of households that can afford to buy an average-priced home: 69.6%
• Median household income required to purchase a median-priced home: 58697 dollars
  

• Average List Price: $228,200
• Percentage of households that can afford to buy an average-priced home: 68.5%
• Median household income required to purchase a median-priced home: $55,732

• Average List Price: $369,995
• Percentage of households that can afford to buy an average-priced home: 64.1%
• Median household income required to purchase a median-priced home: $83,948

• Average List Price: $271,200
• Percentage of households that can afford to buy an average-priced home: 62.6%
• Median household income required to purchase a median-priced home: $64,888

• Average List Price: $299,450
• Percentage of households that can afford to buy an average-priced home: 62.4%
• Median household income required to purchase a median-priced home: $72,101