Home prices in U.S. suburbs have risen over 45% in five years, while the 30-year mortgage has remained unchanged since the 1930s. The national home price to income ratio is now 5.08, making homeownership unaffordable in 38 of 50 major metros. Median monthly mortgage payments exceed $2,000. Some cities with steady job growth and lower price-to-income ratios still support 30-year mortgages, but most markets face structural challenges requiring new financing solutions.