US County Housing Affordability

Median home value divided by median household income. The map's primary color scale. Below 3× is considered very affordable; above 7× is severely unaffordable by standard housing policy thresholds.

The midpoint income across all households in the county — meaning half earn more, half earn less. Includes wages, salaries, business income, and transfers.

Total income of all residents divided by total population. Lower than median household income in places with large non-working populations (children, retirees).

Self-reported estimated value of owner-occupied housing units, not sale prices. Covers only homes whose owners responded to the survey.

Measures income inequality on a scale from 0 to 1. A score of 0 means every household earns the same; a score of 1 means one household earns everything. The US national average is around 0.49.