What your paycheck buys · Updated every Friday
What a paycheck buys in New York this week
A median New York household earning $86,900 Median household income (New York, current dollars) U.S. Census Bureau · 2025 Annual release · FRED MEHOINUSNYA646N ↗ a year can afford a home of about $274,000 at this week’s 7.32% 30-year fixed mortgage rate (U.S. average) Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey · week of Oct 22, 2026 Weekly release · FRED MORTGAGE30US ↗ average 30-year rate. The median New York listing is $605,000 Median list price (New York) Realtor.com · September 2026 Monthly release · FRED MEDLISPRINY ↗ , which would take 61.7% of that household’s gross income, against the usual 28% ceiling.
Compared with a year ago
A year ago, with the 30-year rate at 6.19%, a median list price of $649,000 and median income of $86,480 (2024 figure), the same household could afford about $301,000 and the median listing took 60.5% of income. Affordability in New York has worsened since then.
Nearby in the ranking
- #46 Idaho: can afford $277,000, median listing $593,000
- #47 Hawaii: can afford $332,000, median listing $732,000
- #49 California: can afford $318,000, median listing $725,000
- #50 Montana: can afford $274,000, median listing $635,000
How this is calculated: 28% of gross monthly income for housing, 10% down, a 30-year fixed loan at Freddie Mac’s weekly average, and 1.45% of the price a year for taxes and insurance. Full method, caveats, and sources on the main index page. An educational gauge, not a mortgage quote.