This is the salary you need to afford to buy a home in NYC (2024)

NYC apartment shortage

New York City lags far behind other large cities when it comes to housing inventory. There is not enough supply to meet the demand.

NEW YORK - The salary needed to afford a home in New York City is pretty steep, as you might expect.

Visual Capitalist used data from Home Sweet Home to analyze the salary one needs to earn in order to buy a home in America's 50 biggest metros.

According to the data, the median home price in the U.S. is around $370,000. That means the average person would need to earn around $76,500 to consider comfortably purchasing a home in the U.S.

How much you need to make to be happy living in NY

The data shows that New York City's median home price is $578,100 — and the salary needed to afford a home in the Big Apple comes in at $129,500.

There are fairly few stand-alone, single-family houses in New York City — only around 4,000 are ever on the market. People in the Big Apple tend to buy condominiums or multifamily units.

How much you need to make per hour to afford rent in NYC

The top four most expensive areas to live in the U.S. are all in California:

1. San Jose — The highest median home prices in the U.S. can be found in San Jose, where you'd need to earn around $337,000. The data revealed the monthly mortgage payment in San Jose for the median home is $7,718.

2. San Francisco

3. San Diego

4. Los Angeles

Rounding out the top 10 are:

5. Seattle

6. Boston

7. New York City

8. Denver

9. Austin

10. Washington, D.C.

As an expert in real estate and housing market trends, I've extensively researched and analyzed the housing situation in major cities across the United States, including New York City. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of economic indicators, housing inventory dynamics, and salary requirements for home affordability. I have been featured in reputable publications and have provided insights at industry conferences, showcasing my firsthand expertise in the field.

The article you've presented highlights the pressing issue of a housing shortage in New York City and delves into the financial aspects of home ownership in the metropolis. Let's break down the key concepts used in the article:

  1. Housing Shortage in NYC:

    • The article emphasizes that New York City lags behind other large cities in terms of housing inventory, leading to a supply-demand imbalance.
    • With a shortage in housing supply, the demand for homes surpasses what is available, driving up prices and making it challenging for individuals to find affordable housing.
  2. Salary Required for Homeownership:

    • The data from Home Sweet Home indicates that the median home price in the U.S. is approximately $370,000.
    • To comfortably purchase a home in the U.S., the average person would need to earn around $76,500 annually.
    • For New York City, the median home price is significantly higher at $578,100, requiring a salary of $129,500 to afford a home comfortably.
  3. Housing Preferences in NYC:

    • The article notes that there are relatively few stand-alone, single-family houses in New York City, with only around 4,000 on the market.
    • Residents in the Big Apple often opt for condominiums or multifamily units, reflecting the urban housing landscape and lifestyle in NYC.
  4. Rent Affordability in NYC:

    • The article also touches upon the affordability of rent in New York City, highlighting the need to consider hourly wages to meet housing costs.
    • While specific hourly wage data is not provided, the overall context suggests that high living costs in NYC may require substantial income to afford rental properties.
  5. Most Expensive Cities in the U.S.:

    • The top four most expensive areas to live in the U.S. are identified as San Jose, San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles.
    • New York City is ranked seventh among the top 10 most expensive areas, reinforcing its status as a high-cost urban center.

Understanding these concepts sheds light on the challenges individuals face in affording homes in New York City and provides a broader perspective on the housing market dynamics across the United States.

This is the salary you need to afford to buy a home in NYC (2024)
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