COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOWO) — Ohio has suffered the steepest decline in homeownership affordability in the country, with the share of occupations earning enough to buy a typically priced home dropping from 67% in 2020 to just 26% in 2025, according to a new report from the National Housing Conference.
The report, titled “Priced Out: When a Good Job Isn’t Enough,” found that the number of occupations able to afford a typical home with a 10% down payment fell nearly 41% across Ohio’s metropolitan areas over five years. The findings point to growing financial pressure on working families, including teachers, firefighters, emergency medical workers and postal employees who increasingly cannot afford homes in the communities they serve.
The loss of buying power is also affecting the rental market. The report found that 77% of occupations in Ohio could afford a two-bedroom apartment in 2020, compared with 69% in 2025, as more people remain renters because they cannot afford to purchase a home…