Many Americans would be able to afford homes for sale in the South, especially those looking at housing markets in lower cost-of-living cities. However, there are an increasing number of Southern cities where a six-figure income is necessary if you want to buy a typical home for sale.
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The full data can be found in a June 2025 Clever Real Estate study that outlined 50 of America’s largest cities where buyers need to make $100,000 to afford a home. Thirteen of these cities are based in the South. If you wanted to buy a home in Miami, you’d need to earn $188,008 annually — and that’s with a 20% down payment.
Here are 13 Southern cities where you need a six-figure income to afford a home – and you might be surprised by the cities that made the list.
Baltimore
- Median household income: $94,289
- Median home sales price (April 2025): $395,000
- Income needed with 20% down: $111,649
- Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $17,360
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Richmond, Virginia
- Median household income: $84,332
- Median home sales price (April 2025): $400,000
- Income needed with 20% down: $106,909
- Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $22,577
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Atlanta
- Median household income: $86,505
- Median home sales price (April 2025): $400,000
- Income needed with 20% down: $109,760
- Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $23,255
Raleigh, North Carolina
- Median household income: $96,096
- Median home sales price (April 2025): $441,000
- Income needed with 20% down: $120,069
- Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $23,973
Charlotte, North Carolina
- Median household income: $81,262
- Median home sales price (April 2025): $409,000
- Income needed with 20% down: $107,912
- Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $26,650
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Houston
- Median household income: $79,463
- Median home sales price (April 2025): $340,000
- Income needed with 20% down: $115,194
- Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $35,731
Jacksonville, Florida
- Median household income: $77,044
- Median home sales price (April 2025): $370,000
- Income needed with 20% down: $115,831
- Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $38,787
Austin, Texas
- Median household income: $98,508
- Median home sales price (April 2025): $450,000
- Income needed with 20% down: $139,062
- Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $40,554
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Nashville, Tennessee
- Median household income: $84,685
- Median home sales price (April 2025): $470,000
- Income needed with 20% down: $126,705
- Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $42,020
Tampa, Florida
- Median household income: $72,743
- Median home sales price (April 2025): $370,000
- Income needed with 20% down: $116,256
- Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $43,513
Orlando, Florida
- Median household income: $77,378
- Median home sales price (April 2025): $408,000
- Income needed with 20% down: $128,233
- Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $50,855
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Dallas
- Median household income: $86,860
- Median home sales price (April 2025): $425,000
- Income needed with 20% down: $138,791
- Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $51,931
Miami
- Median household income: $76,271
- Median home sales price (April 2025): $590,000
- Income needed with 20% down: $188,008
- Income gap to afford median home with 20% down: $111,737
Editor’s note: Data was sourced from Clever Real Estate and is accurate as of Aug. 6, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 13 Southern Cities Where You Need To Earn Six Figures To Afford a Typical Home
