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Least Affordable Metro Areas

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If you’re looking for inexpensive housing, stay clear of the East and West coasts: They are home to some of the least affordable metro areas in the country. Take a look at the top 10, ranked by the percentage of affordable homes for families making a median salary in that area.
Photo: Eric Fredericks

If you’re looking for inexpensive housing, stay clear of the East and West coasts: They are home to some of the least affordable metro areas in the country. Take a look at the top 10, ranked by the percentage of affordable homes for families making a median salary in that area.

Source: National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index. Based on fourth quarter 2008 data.

Posted 20 Mar 2009

»Slideshow: Most Affordable Metro Areas

10. El Paso, Texas

: $131,000 : $37,200 : 33.9%
Photo: Paul Garland

Median home price: $131,000

Median family income: $37,200

Share of affordable homes: 33.9%

»Slideshow: Most Affordable Metro Areas

9. Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, Calif.

: $388,000 : $84,100 : 33.5%
Photo: April Younglove

Median home price: $388,000

Median family income: $84,100

Share of affordable homes: 33.5%

»Slideshow: Most Affordable Metro Areas

8. Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Fla.

: $225,000 : $49,200 : 32.5%
Photo: Markus

Median home price: $225,000

Median family income: $49,200

Share of affordable homes: 32.5%

»Slideshow: Most Affordable Metro Areas

7. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, Calif.

: $400,000 : $79,900 : 29.1%
Photo: Aaronbrick

Median home price: $400,000

Median family income: $79,900

Share of affordable homes: 29.1%

»Slideshow: Most Affordable Metro Areas

6. Ocean City, N.J.

: $379,000 : $65,500 : 27.9%
Photo: Marc Gallant

Median home price: $379,000

Median family income: $65,500

Share of affordable homes: 27.9%

»Slideshow: Most Affordable Metro Areas

5. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif.

Median home price: $319,000 Median family income: $59,800 Share of homes affordable: 26.9%
Photo: Eric Fredericks

Median home price: $319,000

Median family income: $59,800

Share of affordable homes: 26.9%

»Slideshow: Most Affordable Metro Areas

4. Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y.

: $391,000 : $97,100 : 25.5%
Photo: Peter Bond

Median home price: $391,000

Median family income: $97,100

Share of affordable homes: 25.5%

»Slideshow: Most Affordable Metro Areas

3. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif.

: $376,000 : $67,000 : 20.7%
Photo: Omar Bárcena

Median home price: $376,000

Median family income: $67,000

Share of affordable homes: 20.7%

»Slideshow: Most Affordable Metro Areas

2. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, Calif.

: $575,000 : $94,300 : 20.6%
Photo: Wonderlane

Median Home Price: $575,000

Median Family Income: $94,300

Share of affordable homes: 20.6%

»Slideshow: Most Affordable Metro Areas

1. New York-White Plains-Wayne, N.J.-N.Y.

: $455,000 : $63,000 : 13.9%
Photo: lemoncat1

Median home price: $455,000

Median family income: $63,000

Share of affordable homes: 13.9%

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»Slideshow: Most Affordable Metro Areas