The Number of Days You Need To Work To Afford a Monthly Mortgage Payment in Each State

Rhea-AI Summary

Realtor.com reveals that Americans need to work an average of 10 days per month to afford a mortgage payment on the median U.S. home price of $412,000. The study, released on April 2, 2025, shows significant regional variations.

Hawaii tops the list requiring 17 working days to cover mortgage payments, followed by California, Massachusetts, and Montana at 15 days each. In contrast, Midwest and Southeast regions show greater affordability, with Ohio requiring only 6 working days and states like Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, and Michigan requiring 7 days.

The analysis assumes a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.65% interest rate, 20% down payment, and includes property taxes and insurance costs at 1.7% annual rate, based on February 2025 median home prices and January 2025 BLS wage data.

• Highest number of days: Hawaii (17 days), California (15 days), Massachusetts (15 days) and Montana (15 days).
• Lowest number of days: Kansas (7 days), Missouri (7 days), Indiana (7 days), Illinois (7 days), West Virginia (7 days), Michigan (7 days), and Ohio (6 days) 

AUSTIN, Texas, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The median national home price in the U.S. is $412,000 and for Americans looking to buy a home, the magic number of days required to work per month to afford the mortgage payment is 10, according to Realtor.com^® data. But, for residents in some states, the number of workdays required can go up to 17 days, a whole week more.

"The number of workdays required to afford a home today stems from a couple factors. First, home prices have risen faster than incomes, widening the gap between earnings and housing costs. Second, elevated mortgage rates have increased borrowing costs, further stretching monthly budgets," said Charlie Lankston, Executive Editor, Realtor.com^®. "As a result, prospective buyers must allocate more of their income, and consequently, more work days each month, to afford mortgage payments."

More than half a month's worth of work
Fittingly named the Paradise of the Pacific, it doesn't come as a surprise that Hawaii is a sought after place to live. But, with that also comes the crown of the highest median home list price in the nation at $796,947. Homeowners purchasing a home at this price point will need to work 17 days each month just to cover the payment of $5,222, including tax and insurance, on average. 

The in-demand state of California faces a similar trend, with homeowners having to work an average of 15 days of the month to cover a payment of $4,773, including tax and insurance. And, likely driven by an influx of people moving into the state and popular cities like Bozeman becoming more expensive, the average homeowner in Montana — where the median home list price is $613,275 — would also have to work 15 days of the month.

One week, or less
Meanwhile, the midwest and southeastern U.S. seaboard face a different reality. West Virginia and Ohio have the lowest median home list price, at $247,000 and $259,450, and residents need to work about seven and six days a month, respectively, to afford their mortgage payments. Other states that only require a week of work on average include Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, and Michigan.

To read more about the number of days required to work to afford a mortgage payment visit Realtor.com.

 

Work Days Required Per Month To Afford a Mortgage Payment by State
State	Median Home List Price	Average Work Days Required to Afford the Mortgage Payment
Alabama	$321,720	9
Alaska	$422,500	9
Arizona	$488,500	12
Arkansas	$289,950	8
California	$728,500	15
Colorado	$559,475	12
Connecticut	$499,450	11
Delaware	$479,495	12
District of Columbia	$589,950	9
Florida	$435,000	11
Georgia	$380,000	9
Hawaii	$796,947	17
Idaho	$566,950	14
Illinois	$289,950	7
Indiana	$279,450	7
Iowa	$279,950	8
Kansas	$280,298	7
Kentucky	$299,000	8
Louisiana	$275,000	8
Maine	$449,450	11
Maryland	$408,323	9
Massachusetts	$749,950	15
Michigan	$265,350	7
Minnesota	$380,948	8
Mississippi	$289,900	9
Missouri	$289,000	7
Montana	$613,375	15
Nebraska	$346,925	9
Nevada	$485,598	13
New Hampshire	$574,950	13
New Jersey	$544,950	12
New Mexico	$389,700	11
New York	$659,974	14
North Carolina	$399,450	10
North Dakota	$363,322	9
Ohio	$259,450	6
Oklahoma	$294,995	8
Oregon	$550,000	12
Pennsylvania	$296,750	8
Rhode Island	$524,950	12
South Carolina	$352,450	9
South Dakota	$372,500	10
Tennessee	$419,965	11
Texas	$355,000	8
Utah	$586,200	14
Vermont	$497,500	12
Virginia	$422,325	10
Washington	$607,075	12
West Virginia	$247,000	7
Wisconsin	$379,450	9
Wyoming	$459,725	12

Methodology
To assess housing affordability, this analysis calculates the number of workdays needed to cover a median monthly mortgage payment in each state. The estimates are based on median home list prices as of February 2025 and assume a 30-year fixed mortgage at a 6.65% interest rate. Property taxes and insurance costs are factored in using a 1.7% annual rate, and calculations assume a 20% down payment. Wage data is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' January 2025 release, which tracks average hourly earnings across states.

About Realtor.com^®
Realtor.com^® pioneered online real estate and has been at the forefront for over 25 years, connecting buyers, sellers, and renters with trusted insights, professional guidance and powerful tools to help them find their perfect home. Recognized as the No. 1 site trusted by real estate professionals, Realtor.com^® is a valued partner, delivering consumer connections and a robust suite of marketing tools to support business growth. Realtor.com^® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc.

Media Contact: Asees Singh, press@realtor.com

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SOURCE Realtor.com

FAQ

How many days does the average American need to work to afford a monthly mortgage payment in 2025?

According to Realtor.com, the average American needs to work 10 days per month to afford a mortgage payment on the median U.S. home price of $412,000.

Which U.S. state requires the most working days to afford a monthly mortgage payment?

Hawaii requires the most working days at 17 days per month, with a median home list price of $796,947.

Which states have the most affordable housing based on required working days?

Ohio is most affordable at 6 working days, while Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, and Michigan require 7 working days per month.

What mortgage terms were used in Realtor.com's 2025 affordability analysis?

The analysis assumed a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.65% interest rate, 20% down payment, and 1.7% annual rate for property taxes and insurance.

How many working days are needed to afford a mortgage in California in 2025?

California residents need to work 15 days per month to cover a monthly mortgage payment of $4,773, including tax and insurance.