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Million-Dollar Starter Homes Triple, Under 40% Can Afford.

7/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

LendingTree reports that under 40% of U.S. households without a home can afford a starter home.
Starter homes are $200,000 owner-occupied homes at the 25th percentile, requiring just over $62,000 income, which exceeds the $55,000 median.
In California, median non-homeowners earn $72,900, far below the $140,676 needed for a $482,000 starter home.
Zillow reports 242 U.S. cities now have starter homes priced at $1 million or more, tripling since 2020.

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Story summary

LendingTree reports that under 40% of U.S. households without a home can afford a starter home.
Starter homes are $200,000 owner-occupied homes at the 25th percentile, requiring just over $62,000 income, which exceeds the $55,000 median.
In California, median non-homeowners earn $72,900, far below the $140,676 needed for a $482,000 starter home.
Zillow reports 242 U.S. cities now have starter homes priced at $1 million or more, tripling since 2020.