If you’ve been feeling like housing costs are getting out of control lately, you’re not alone. And while many people are talking about the unaffordability crisis facing both renters and homeowners, a new study has found that things are far more serious than many people may have expected.
That’s because the moving company HireAHelper just released its findings from a June 2026 study, in which the company determined that there are only three states in the U.S. where people can afford to live. The study is going viral, with publications like The Independent covering the news.
The company says it reached these findings by looking at a combination of household incomes, median home prices, and five-year projections.
And the bad news is that some regions will likely become completely out of reach for potential buyers by 2031.
Only Three States Meet Affordability Requirements for Homeowners
As the U.S. housing crisis continues to grow, HireAHelper says that only three states offer affordable options for people looking to buy a home: Louisiana, Minnesota, and Iowa. These are the only three locations where the median cost of homeownership (which currently sits at $25,082 a year) is less than 30 percent of the average income in the state ($75,246).
Additionally, the report found that the average time it takes to save for a 20 percent down payment is now 10.2 years when you’re able to put 10 percent of your annual income aside to purchase a house. While some states take less time to reach this milestone, Iowans average 7.3 years at that rate, and Texans average 8.1 years. Most states take even longer, including California, Hawaii, New York, and Washington state.
The Median Home Price is Expected to Climb
According to the study, the median U.S. home price is expected to reach $527,525 by 2031. That will amount to a 35.1 percent increase over the next five years. Unfortunately, HireAHelper doesn’t believe that wages will follow suit, which means that homeownership may become completely out of reach for people living in certain states by 2031, including California, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
It may feel hard to look for a silver lining in light of this news, but some will benefit from the rising home values. For instance, those who already own a home will continue to build their equity at a staggering rate, especially in those states where values are increasing rapidly.
Additionally, retirees or those who are looking to downsize will also benefit, since they will likely be able to sell their property at a great profit, especially if they purchased their home prior to 2020.