The dream of homeownership can feel increasingly out of reach for many Americans, especially those in the middle-income bracket. While the housing market might appear robust on the surface, a closer look reveals a significant disconnect between available homes and what everyday buyers can actually afford.
The collaborative 2026 Housing Mismatch Report from Realtor.com® and the National Association of Realtors® highlights this critical issue, revealing that middle-income households continue to face the largest supply gap.
Buyers earning around $75,000 can currently afford homes priced up to about $261,140. However, homes priced below this point currently account for only about 23% of listings nationally, a stark contrast to the approximately 44% found in a balanced market…