Top 10 Most Affordable U.S. Cities for $65K Income Homebuyers | Polygon Affordability Index

This chart ranks the Top 10 U.S. cities where a household earning ≤$65,000 can most afford a fixed-rate, first-lien mortgage on a primary residence (1–4 units). The Polygon Affordability Index (0–100) shows Johnstown, PA (73), Decatur, IL (72), and Peoria, IL (71) leading the list. Monthly payment burdens in these markets range from 16.6% to 20.6% of income—materially below the 28.1% U.S. average.

For lenders, this signals structurally lower DTI stress and potentially stronger credit performance among moderate-income borrowers. Markets in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and upstate New York dominate—primarily Midwest and legacy industrial metros where home prices remain aligned with local wages.

Strategically, lenders can leverage this data to recalibrate CRA outreach, branch placement, targeted marketing, and product mix (e.g., low down payment conventional or FHA). Secondary marketing teams may also see more stable prepayment behavior in lower-volatility price markets. For policymakers and housing advocates, these cities represent scalable affordability models where wage-to-price alignment supports sustainable ownership.