ZipMarketData tracks the housing affordability index (HAI) for 900+ US metro areas using Census ACS income data, Redfin median home prices, and current mortgage rate assumptions.
How to Access Affordability Data
GET https://zipmarketdata.com/affordability?metro=Columbus-OH
{
"metro": "Columbus, OH",
"median_home_price": 275000,
"median_household_income": 70000,
"affordability_index": 118,
"qualifying_income": 59200,
"interpretation": "median household can comfortably qualify for median-priced home"
}
National Affordability Landscape 2025
As of 2025, the national housing affordability index sits near historic lows due to the combination of elevated home prices (post-2020 appreciation) and higher mortgage rates. The national median HAI is approximately 85 — meaning the median US household earns only 85% of what's needed to qualify for the national median-priced home.
Most vs Least Affordable Metro Tiers
| Tier | HAI Range | Example Metros |
|---|---|---|
| Very Affordable | > 130 | Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Memphis |
| Affordable | 100–130 | Indianapolis, Kansas City, Columbus |
| Moderately Unaffordable | 70–100 | Nashville, Atlanta, Dallas |
| Unaffordable | 50–70 | Seattle, Boston, Denver |
| Severely Unaffordable | < 50 | San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu |