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Housing

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Line chart of real U.S. home prices and median household income, indexed to 1987 = 100. The home-price line rises to 196 by 2024 (up 96%), spiking to 166 in the 2006 bubble, crashing, then climbing to a new high. The median-income line stays far below, reaching only 130 (up 30%). A shaded gap between the two lines widens over time.

Economy

Home prices soared — incomes didn't

After inflation, U.S. home prices climbed 96% between 1987 and 2024 while the median household income rose just 30% — pushing real prices above even the 2006 bubble.

Chartive EditorialAug 29, 2026

Infographic comparing the cost of financing a median-priced new U.S. home in 1975 versus 2024: the home-price-to-income ratio rose from 3.33 to 5.02, a 20% down payment went from 66.6% to 100.4% of annual income, and the modeled mortgage payment rose from 25.8% to 31.2% of monthly income.

Economy

The American dream got more expensive

What it takes to finance a median-priced new U.S. home, 1975 vs. 2024.

Chartive EditorialAug 14, 2026