The best states to buy a home ranked by true affordability — factoring in property taxes, not just sticker price. Higher scores mean your income goes further after accounting for both mortgage and tax costs.
| # | State | Avg BTI | True Afford. | Med. Home Value | Med. Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Alabama (27) | 49 | 9.6 | $165,600 | $58,119 |
| 02 | West Virginia (11) | 57 | 9.5 | $146,900 | $56,184 |
| 03 | Oklahoma (14) | 66 | 9.2 | $190,500 | $64,165 |
| 04 | Indiana (28) | 67 | 9.0 | $195,100 | $66,854 |
| 05 | Arkansas (13) | 65 | 8.7 | $169,600 | $56,702 |
| 06 | Kentucky (19) | 50 | 8.3 | $207,700 | $64,136 |
| 07 | Louisiana (21) | 37 | 8.2 | $193,300 | $61,381 |
| 08 | Ohio (49) | 73 | 8.2 | $164,900 | $63,130 |
| 09 | Mississippi (15) | 62 | 8.1 | $172,900 | $55,211 |
| 10 | Missouri (22) | 65 | 8.1 | $201,700 | $66,564 |
| 11 | Kansas (10) | 72 | 8.1 | $181,700 | $65,372 |
| 12 | South Carolina (24) | 42 | 8.1 | $196,600 | $61,343 |
| 13 | Michigan (36) | 81 | 7.9 | $181,100 | $65,531 |
| 14 | North Carolina (51) | 37 | 7.7 | $196,800 | $60,941 |
| 15 | New Mexico (11) | 51 | 7.6 | $184,400 | $56,246 |
| 16 | Georgia (41) | 27 | 7.5 | $221,800 | $68,999 |
| 17 | Iowa (11) | 58 | 7.5 | $210,300 | $72,977 |
| 18 | Illinois (28) | 85 | 7.5 | $172,900 | $71,653 |
| 19 | Tennessee (33) | 35 | 7.4 | $211,100 | $60,633 |
| 20 | Texas (68) | 32 | 7.4 | $186,200 | $66,713 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania (44) | 56 | 7.3 | $200,200 | $67,194 |
| 22 | Wyoming (2) | 75 | 7.1 | $295,800 | $76,282 |
| 23 | Minnesota (18) | 54 | 7.0 | $299,800 | $92,595 |
| 24 | Maine (9) | 49 | 6.8 | $198,300 | $62,118 |
| 25 | Wisconsin (29) | 89 | 6.8 | $226,400 | $72,658 |
| 26 | Delaware (3) | 35 | 6.7 | $312,000 | $75,406 |
| 27 | Nebraska (5) | 59 | 6.6 | $227,400 | $70,387 |
| 28 | South Dakota (3) | 41 | 6.6 | $247,800 | $73,110 |
| 29 | Maryland (18) | 31 | 6.5 | $380,500 | $108,332 |
| 30 | Virginia (37) | 47 | 6.5 | $308,300 | $82,424 |
| 31 | New York (45) | 74 | 6.5 | $192,800 | $70,443 |
| 32 | Alaska (4) | 72 | 6.5 | $296,900 | $86,435 |
| 33 | North Dakota (4) | 81 | 6.4 | $270,300 | $78,143 |
| 34 | Arizona (11) | 25 | 6.3 | $233,700 | $58,421 |
| 35 | Nevada (6) | 50 | 5.8 | $368,800 | $70,026 |
| 36 | Florida (41) | 10 | 5.8 | $284,300 | $67,543 |
| 37 | Idaho (7) | 58 | 5.7 | $306,200 | $68,473 |
| 38 | Utah (9) | 59 | 5.5 | $351,700 | $82,291 |
| 39 | New Hampshire (8) | 59 | 5.4 | $300,200 | $83,212 |
| 40 | Vermont (5) | 37 | 5.2 | $263,200 | $73,633 |
| 41 | Montana (6) | 46 | 5.2 | $382,400 | $71,967 |
| 42 | Rhode Island (5) | 71 | 5.0 | $436,000 | $96,319 |
| 43 | Colorado (15) | 17 | 5.0 | $488,300 | $87,199 |
| 44 | Washington (21) | 39 | 4.9 | $353,600 | $77,581 |
| 45 | New Jersey (21) | 67 | 4.8 | $372,300 | $92,697 |
| 46 | Massachusetts (12) | 55 | 4.8 | $475,500 | $88,524 |
| 47 | Oregon (18) | 26 | 4.7 | $365,100 | $70,926 |
| 48 | California (43) | 31 | 4.1 | $549,100 | $84,010 |
| 49 | District of Columbia (1) | 1 | 3.7 | $705,000 | $101,722 |
| 50 | Hawaii (4) | 17 | 3.4 | $800,100 | $95,379 |