10 Most Affordable States Where Solo Buyers Can Afford a Home—and Live Comfortably

In 15 U.S. states, a single person now needs to earn more than $100,000 a year just to live comfortably, a new study has found.

The study from SmartAsset defines “living comfortably” as following the 50/30/20 rule: 50% of income goes toward essentials like housing and groceries, 30% for discretionary spending, and 20% for savings or debt payments. But for many Americans living alone—a growing demographic often referred to as SINKs (single income, no kids)—those budget ratios are getting harder to follow, especially when it comes to housing.

“The housing market has gotten increasingly expensive and increasingly difficult to afford on just one income,” says Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com®. 

Based on a combined analysis of SmartAsset’s income thresholds and Realtor.com housing data, single earners making the recommended salary still couldn’t afford a median-priced home in 22 states.

“Single home shoppers may have to compromise on the type or size of home, or the location, to achieve homeownership on just one income,” Jones adds.

But in some parts of the country, it’s possible. In these states, a comfortable salary can stretch far enough to cover basic expenses, discretionary spending, and even a mortgage on a median-priced home.

Why the South is a haven for single homebuyers

Eight of the 10 most affordable states for single earners are located in the South. The only exceptions? North and South Dakota. In all 10 of these states, a single person can live comfortably earning between $80,000 and $87,000 per year—that’s enough to pay the bills, splurge now and then, and still plan for the future.

Here’s why that matters: Since 1940, the share of one-person households has more than tripled, accounting for almost a third of all occupied households today. So, just as affordable homes are drying up, the demand for them from single-income households is surging.

“Owning a home on one income may be feasible in affordable states in the Midwest and the South,” says Jones. “The Midwest in particular has attracted significant buyer demand and investment as home shoppers flock to the nation’s most affordable housing markets.”

It’s no surprise, then, that these states also have counties with the highest percentage of one-person households, according to the U. S. Census Bureau. Data from the 2020 census shows that North Dakota, Alabama, and Mississippi rank among the highest for one-person households—all three of which appear in our top rankings.

Affordability might be a top driver. All of the states in the top 10 had median home list prices well below the national median of $440,000. Louisiana was the lowest, with a median list price of $285,000. South Dakota was the highest, though still under the national median, at $399,000.

Other affordable states might be gaining ground. Kansas didn’t make our list, but Jones notes that it’s drawn significant investor activity in 2024.

“Though competition from investors could drive prices higher,” she says, “it could also be a sign of increased investment and attention to smaller, more affordable areas that offer buyers affordability and impressive quality-of-life amenities.”

10 states where one salary can still buy a home

1. West Virginia

Median-priced home: $269,900
Monthly mortgage payment (without tax or insurance): $1,409
Income needed for a single earner to live comfortably: $80,829

2. Arkansas

Median-priced home: $300,000
Monthly mortgage payment (without tax or insurance): $1,566
Income needed for a single earner to live comfortably: $81,078

3. South Dakota

Median-priced home: $399,000
Monthly mortgage payment (without tax or insurance): $2,083
Income needed for a single earner to live comfortably: $82,160

4. North Dakota

Median-priced home: $380,400
Monthly mortgage payment (without tax or insurance): $1,986
Income needed for a single earner to live comfortably: $82,285

5. Kentucky

Median-priced home: $314,900
Monthly mortgage payment (without tax or insurance): $1,644
Income needed for a single earner to live comfortably: $83,574

6. Oklahoma

Median-priced home: $306,900
Monthly mortgage payment (without tax or insurance): $1,644
Income needed for a single earner to live comfortably: $83,574

7. Ohio

Median-priced home: $289,900
Monthly mortgage payment (without tax or insurance): $1,513
Income needed for a single earner to live comfortably: $84,781

8. Alabama

Median-priced home: $340,000
Monthly mortgage payment (without tax or insurance): $1,775
Income needed for a single earner to live comfortably: $85,280

9. Louisiana

Median-priced home: $285,000
Monthly mortgage payment (without tax or insurance): $1,488
Income needed for a single earner to live comfortably: $85,322

10. Mississippi

Median-priced home: $295,680
Monthly mortgage payment (without tax or insurance): $1,544
Income needed for a single earner to live comfortably: $86,320