In Q1 2026, homeownership was less affordable than historical norms in 97% of analyzed U.S. counties. Median home prices rose 8% since Q1 2024, reaching $360,000 nationally, while wages increased 6.4%. Year-over-year median home prices increased in 61.7% of counties. The largest annual price increases occurred in several counties, with some seeing rises up to 29%. Affordability challenges persist despite slight improvements.