Homebuyers in rural America now need to earn $74,508 annually to afford the median-priced home, a 105.8% jump from the pre-pandemic requirement of $36,206, according to a new analysis from Redfin.
The figure represents the fastest rise in home buying income requirements across all U.S. regions, outpacing both suburban and urban areas.
By comparison, the income needed in suburban counties has risen 90.9%—to $102,120 from $53,482, while urban counties have seen an 87.5% increase, reaching $118,300 from $63,103.
Analysts say rural communities are facing a “double shock” of rapidly rising home prices and slower income growth, worsening an already deepening affordability gap.
Redfin’s assessment compares third-quarter 2025 data with the same period in 2019. A home is considered affordable when mortgage payments do not exceed 30% of a buyer’s income.
The analysis draws on MLS home price data, prevailing mortgage rates, property taxes, and U.S. Census income records.
Rural home prices have surged faster than those in suburban and urban counties.
The median rural home now sells for $280,900, up 60.5% from $175,000 before the pandemic. Suburban counties recorded a 48.9% increase, and urban counties saw a 46.2% climb over the same period.
Income growth has not kept pace. Rural median household income stands at $69,307, up just 33.3% from $52,002 in 2019. Suburban incomes rose 36.8%, while urban incomes grew 39.3%.
The shift traces back to the pandemic-era migration wave, when thousands left major cities for rural and suburban communities seeking more space, lower costs, and remote-work-friendly environments.
This influx intensified competition for already scarce housing supply—especially in small rural markets—fueling price escalation that continues today.
Despite these increases, rural areas remain relatively more affordable than many metropolitan markets.
A household on rural median income now spends 32.3% of earnings on housing, up from 20.9% pre-pandemic, but still below suburban (34.6%) and urban (39.5%) shares.
Economists say rural regions still have one major advantage: land availability. States like New York are investing in manufactured housing initiatives to rapidly expand supply and reduce cost pressures.
New Hampshire recorded the biggest statewide spike in income needed to afford a rural home.
Buyers must now earn $119,361, up 141.4% from 2019—higher than any other rural market analyzed. Vermont and Maine followed closely, reflecting their sharp home-price increases.
Redfin attributes these trends to heightened demand, limited supply, and persistent affordability challenges—factors shaping homebuying across the country.
