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 | West Virginia (11) | 59 | 9.1 | $166,200 | $60,943 |
| 02 | Alabama (27) | 57 | 8.8 | $199,100 | $62,656 |
| 03 | Arkansas (13) | 50 | 8.3 | $194,300 | $62,873 |
| 04 | Oklahoma (15) | 68 | 8.3 | $222,900 | $66,679 |
| 05 | Indiana (28) | 62 | 8.3 | $230,600 | $71,493 |
| 06 | Mississippi (15) | 48 | 8.0 | $199,500 | $59,479 |
| 07 | Louisiana (21) | 40 | 7.8 | $212,900 | $63,071 |
| 08 | Ohio (49) | 61 | 7.8 | $186,800 | $67,934 |
| 09 | Kansas (10) | 66 | 7.7 | $217,600 | $69,365 |
| 10 | Missouri (22) | 62 | 7.5 | $230,500 | $72,758 |
| 11 | Kentucky (19) | 36 | 7.5 | $244,400 | $68,214 |
| 12 | South Carolina (24) | 46 | 7.3 | $234,500 | $66,880 |
| 13 | Michigan (36) | 67 | 7.3 | $216,500 | $70,518 |
| 14 | Iowa (11) | 57 | 7.3 | $237,300 | $77,630 |
| 15 | New Mexico (11) | 63 | 7.2 | $212,600 | $58,933 |
| 16 | Illinois (28) | 68 | 7.1 | $189,200 | $75,357 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania (44) | 58 | 7.0 | $227,600 | $71,089 |
| 18 | North Carolina (51) | 49 | 6.8 | $242,400 | $65,873 |
| 19 | Wyoming (2) | 84 | 6.7 | $348,700 | $80,173 |
| 20 | Georgia (41) | 50 | 6.6 | $289,000 | $77,179 |
| 21 | Tennessee (33) | 42 | 6.5 | $261,900 | $66,552 |
| 22 | Texas (71) | 25 | 6.5 | $239,600 | $71,536 |
| 23 | Minnesota (18) | 44 | 6.5 | $346,500 | $97,653 |
| 24 | Nebraska (5) | 37 | 6.5 | $266,100 | $75,911 |
| 25 | Wisconsin (29) | 60 | 6.4 | $257,900 | $77,884 |
| 26 | Maine (9) | 37 | 6.4 | $238,200 | $67,873 |
| 27 | North Dakota (4) | 47 | 6.4 | $298,000 | $78,238 |
| 28 | Maryland (18) | 25 | 6.3 | $426,000 | $112,826 |
| 29 | New York (45) | 75 | 6.3 | $222,900 | $74,506 |
| 30 | Alaska (4) | 59 | 6.3 | $346,600 | $94,031 |
| 31 | Virginia (37) | 39 | 6.3 | $353,000 | $88,783 |
| 32 | Delaware (3) | 56 | 6.2 | $352,200 | $81,497 |
| 33 | Arizona (11) | 52 | 6.0 | $281,000 | $62,876 |
| 34 | South Dakota (3) | 67 | 6.0 | $302,200 | $76,880 |
| 35 | Nevada (6) | 63 | 5.5 | $431,000 | $80,812 |
| 36 | Florida (41) | 45 | 5.3 | $351,200 | $73,533 |
| 37 | Vermont (5) | 25 | 5.2 | $306,700 | $81,313 |
| 38 | New Hampshire (8) | 48 | 5.1 | $374,900 | $92,783 |
| 39 | Idaho (8) | 69 | 5.1 | $414,800 | $76,488 |
| 40 | Utah (9) | 68 | 5.0 | $444,400 | $90,005 |
| 41 | Rhode Island (5) | 69 | 4.8 | $510,800 | $103,514 |
| 42 | Montana (6) | 64 | 4.8 | $472,100 | $76,570 |
| 43 | New Jersey (21) | 50 | 4.7 | $434,600 | $100,869 |
| 44 | Colorado (15) | 30 | 4.7 | $569,100 | $94,718 |
| 45 | Washington (21) | 28 | 4.6 | $421,800 | $83,270 |
| 46 | Massachusetts (12) | 33 | 4.6 | $556,000 | $95,631 |
| 47 | Oregon (18) | 41 | 4.5 | $430,200 | $77,351 |
| 48 | California (43) | 43 | 4.0 | $617,700 | $92,175 |
| 49 | District of Columbia (1) | 16 | 3.8 | $737,100 | $109,870 |
| 50 | Hawaii (4) | 41 | 3.3 | $897,500 | $97,668 |