Homebuyers in the U.S. face a growing gap between earnings and housing costs, with a median income of $83,730 falling short of the $120,796 needed to buy a home with a 10% down payment. California dominates the most expensive markets, with San Jose requiring $501,012 annually for a median $1.489 million home. In contrast, cities in the South and Midwest, like Huntington, West Virginia, remain more affordable, reflecting regional disparities and migration trends toward lower-cost areas.