In the third quarter of 2026, the financial affordability of homeownership in the United States remained under significant pressure. As shown in a recent report by property data provider ATTOM, ongoing costs for homeownership exceeded historical benchmarks in 98 per cent of the US counties analysed.
Remarkably, this development occurred alongside a slight decline in national property prices. Consequently, even this moderate price correction at federal level was insufficient to noticeably open the market to private prospective buyers or substantially lower the overall level of costs.
Continued pressure despite slight price correction
The survey highlights the persistent gap between household financial capacities and the actual total costs of purchasing a home. Although property prices fell marginally nationwide during the reporting period, the financial hurdles to purchase remained at an exceptionally high level by historical standards.
For this assessment, ATTOM analysed the local situation across individual counties. The evaluation confirms that, measured against long-term parameters, acquiring homeownership remains significantly more difficult across almost the entire country.
Widespread challenge for buyers
The recorded figure of 98 per cent of counties illustrates the geographical breadth of the phenomenon. The strained market situation is therefore by no means confined to individual high-priced metropolitan areas, but instead characterises the US market across almost all regions.
- —In 98 per cent of analysed US counties, homeownership costs were above historical levels.
- —A slight nationwide price decline failed to bring substantial relief in the third quarter of 2026.
- —The burden on buyers remains structurally elevated across virtually all analysed regions.
Market data from ATTOM indicates that minor price reductions alone are insufficient to bring the relationship between income and homeownership costs back towards historical benchmarks. As long as ongoing commitments exceed traditional levels on such a broad scale, home purchases in the US will remain subject to enduring pressure.
