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irst‑time buyers are still finding affordable options in certain U.S. cities, even as the share of new‑home transactions made by first‑time buyers fell to a record low of 21 % between July 2024 and June 2025, and the median age of new homeowners rose to 40.
MoveBuddha’s “Starter Home Index” ranks Oklahoma City at the top for affordability, availability and livability. Residents spend just 20.4 % of their income on mortgage payments, and 54 % of homeowners there are under 35.
Des Moines, Iowa, and Little Rock, Arkansas, round out the top three. Both capitals boast plentiful inventory and mortgage costs that require roughly 20 % of buyers’ incomes.
Austin, Texas, leads the country in starter‑home availability with 645 listings per 100 000 residents, thanks to a booming housing market and high average incomes. The city also appears in the top 25 for income levels.
The Midwest remains the most affordable region, while the South dominates the top ten of MoveBuddha’s list. Birmingham, Alabama, secures a spot in the top five; its 2.5 % unemployment rate adds to the city’s appeal.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ranks sixth overall and is one of the nation’s cheapest places to buy a home. A starter‑home mortgage there consumes only about 18 % of a monthly paycheck, lower than any other city in the country.
Los Angeles, California, sits at the bottom of the 100‑metro ranking. An average three‑bedroom starter home in the city demands nearly a decade’s worth of income—Angelenos earn about $93 525 per year—and a monthly payment exceeding $4 700.
