Mortgage Stress Map of US
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Mortgage Stress Map of US
A June 2026 report on housing affordability in America found that California homeowners face the most expensive mortgages in the country. A new study by Everest Mortgages reveals states where buying a house is nearly impossible without a second income or family money.
- California has the most unaffordable housing in America, with mortgages costing 70% more than what locals earn.
- Owning a house in Hawaii means paying nearly $4,700 every month when most people are left with just $2,900 after basics.
- Iowa is the easiest place to buy a home, with residents needing to set aside about 60% of their disposable income for a mortgage.
The research looked at housing markets across all 50 states to find where homeownership is most stressful financially. The report measured typical house prices, property tax rates, and down payment requirements in each state. It also tracked monthly mortgage payments over 20-year loan terms and compared them to what people actually earn after paying for food, utilities, and other living costs. States were ranked by how much of their take-home income residents need to spend on mortgages.
Here’s a look at the top 10 states where homeowners face the worst mortgage stress:
State | Median House Price | Property Tax (%) | Months To Pay Down Payment | Average Rate 20 Year | Monthly Payment With Tax | Monthly Net Income | Share of Income Spent on Mortgage |
California | $833,000 | 0.74% | 45.9 | 6.41% | $5,570 | $3,269 | 170.38% |
Hawaii | $743,000 | 0.26% | 43.8 | 6.33% | $4,697 | $2,883 | 162.91% |
Utah | $548,000 | 0.60% | 32.5 | 6.38% | $3,674 | $2,701 | 136.02% |
New York | $576,000 | 1.23% | 30.5 | 6.50% | $4,155 | $3,212 | 129.37% |
Idaho | $485,000 | 0.69% | 38.6 | 6.47% | $3,165 | $2,511 | 126.02% |
Montana | $523,000 | 0.83% | 40.4 | 6.44% | $3,428 | $2,721 | 125.98% |
Nevada | $455,000 | 0.84% | 25.5 | 6.52% | $3,207 | $2,675 | 119.88% |
Oregon | $505,000 | 0.87% | 28.8 | 6.45% | $3,479 | $2,980 | 116.75% |
Arizona | $455,000 | 0.72% | 24.8 | 6.56% | $3,170 | $2,755 | 115.08% |
Rhode Island | $487,000 | 1.35% | 26.0 | 6.38% | $3,533 | $3,183 | 111.01% |
You can access the complete research findings here.
1. California
- Median house price: $833K
- Property tax rate: 0.74%
- Months to save down payment: 46
- Average 20-year mortgage rate: 6.41%
- Monthly payment with tax: $5,570
- Monthly net income: $3,269
- Share of income on mortgage: 170%
California makes homeownership the hardest in America. A typical house here costs $833K, and the monthly payment reaches $5,570 when property taxes are included. The problem is that after paying for food, utilities, and other basic expenses, Californians only have about $3,300 left each month. That means the mortgage alone costs $2,300 more than what people can afford from their regular paycheck. Most families need two full incomes just to cover housing, or they’re forced to take on credit card debt to make up the difference.
2. Hawaii
Hawaii is the second-hardest state to afford a house. Properties here sell for $743K, and monthly mortgage payments can go as high as $4,700. In contrast, residents only bring home around $2,900 after covering their bills, which means housing expenses are 60% higher than what most locals have available each month. And before anyone can even buy, they need to also save for nearly 3 and a half years just to afford the down payment.
3. Utah
Utah ranks third, with mortgage payments $900 higher than what people have left to spend each month. A typical home costs $548K here, and if mortgaged, residents have to pay up to $3,680 every month. But most people here only clear about $2,700 after paying for necessities, forcing them to either earn extra income or borrow even more. Plus, they’re looking at a 32-month wait to save up the down payment, making the whole homeownership process too stressful for many.
4. New York
New York is also among the states where homeowners struggle with housing costs. Monthly mortgage payments here are 30% higher compared to take-home income, making mortgages unaffordable for most families without dual incomes. The typical home in NY costs $576K, and savers need over 2 and a half years to gather enough for a down payment. Plus, there are property taxes, which average $590 monthly, among the highest rates in the country.
5. Idaho
Idaho rounds out the top five with mortgage payments exceeding the monthly net income by 26%. Most of the houses here get listed for $485K, while down payment requirements force buyers to save for nearly 39 months before they can purchase. That’s more than 3 years of putting money aside, longer than most other states. After that, residents face monthly housing costs of $3,165, but most of them only have around $2,500 left after paying for necessities.
A housing analyst from Everest Mortgages commented on the study:
“We’re seeing something the housing market has never dealt with before. Mortgage payments now exceed what people earn in multiple states. In the past, you could stretch to buy a house knowing your salary would catch up over time. That’s not happening anymore. Wages have grown about 30% over the last decade, but home prices in these states have doubled or tripled. And when you realize that you need to save for four years just to get in the door, you just stop thinking about buying a house.”
When using the data, please credit: https://everest-mortgages.co.uk/
John Everest
About Author
John Everest is a well-regarded mortgage and financial services adviser based in Brighton & Hove, UK. As Director of Everest Mortgage Services Ltd, John uses his industry expertise to empower clients to make sound financial decisions with confidence.
Experience Snapshot:
– Director, Everest Mortgage Services Ltd (company no. 10145887)
– FCA-registered firm (REF: 786425)
– Whole-of-market mortgage adviser with a focus on client-centric service
– Contributor to public finance platforms, offering commentary on mortgage regulation and consumer protection
Over 21 years in the banking industry working with banking operations in all aspects of banking.
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