T
he age-old adage "location, location, location" holds significant weight when it comes to the value of a home. With mortgage rates and median sales prices soaring, American buyers are on the hunt for affordable options.

    A recent report by WalletHub ranked 300 US cities across 10 key metrics, including home cost, maintenance, tax rates, and vacancy rates. The results offer hope to prospective buyers, but New York State is not a haven for affordability.

    Buffalo was the only New York city to crack the top 100 on WalletHub's list, coming in at No. 40. Rochester and Albany trailed behind at 116th and 226th, respectively, while Yonkers and New York City ranked near the bottom. In fact, New York City was the only non-Californian city among WalletHub's 10 least affordable cities.

    In contrast, the Rust Belt is emerging as a hotspot for affordability. Flint, Michigan, took the top spot, followed closely by Detroit and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Flint's median home price per square foot is a mere $61, compared to Manhattan's $1,500. The city's low cost of living and affordable housing stock are major contributors to its ranking.

    Detroit and Pittsburgh also offer attractive affordability options, with low price-to-income ratios making it more cost-effective to buy than rent. In Detroit, a vacancy rate of over 22% has contributed to the city's affordability, while in Pittsburgh, the median home price per square foot is just $61.

    In stark contrast, California cities dominate WalletHub's least affordable list, with eight consecutive spots at the bottom. The lack of affordable housing supply is pushing the American dream further out of reach for the middle class, making the question of where to buy and avoid more pressing than ever.