U.S. Home Affordability Hits Historical Lows Amid Rising Mortgage Rates
The ATTOM U.S. Home Affordability Report for Q3 2026 reveals that homes were less affordable than historical norms in 98% of analyzed counties. Despite a slight decline in the national median home sales price to $368,000, rising mortgage rates—with the 30-year fixed rate reaching 7.3%—and persistent inflation have kept monthly ownership costs high for most Americans. While wage growth outpaced price growth in many areas, it was insufficient to offset the impact of elevated interest rates and insurance costs. Significant regional disparities exist: while Texas counties like Travis and Dallas saw massive year-over-year price surges, major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles and Orange County remain severely unaffordable, with ownership expenses consuming a vast majority of typical wages.