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More than 60% of recent homebuyers were married couples last year, but the face of homeownership is shifting.
According to the most recent data from the National Association of Realtors®, single women now represent 20% of home purchases, while single men account for just 8%. This growing trend underscores how lifestyle changes are reshaping who’s buying—and where.
While buying a home on one income can feel out of reach, especially in today’s high-cost housing market, there are a handful of states where solo buyers can still find solid footing. Arkansas ranks among the 10 most affordable states for single-income earners.
Thanks to manageable home prices and reasonable income requirements, it’s a place where buying solo doesn’t have to mean sacrificing financial comfort.
A lower-cost lifestyle in the Natural State
Arkansas comes in at No. 2 on the list of most affordable states for solo homebuyers to live comfortably, according to SmartAsset. With a median home price of $300,000 and a monthly mortgage payment (excluding taxes and insurance) of $1,566, buyers in the state can still find room in their budgets for the rest of life’s essentials. Based on SmartAsset’s financial benchmark, a single person would need to earn at least $81,078 per year to live comfortably in Arkansas while covering their housing and day-to-day expenses.
That’s well below the six-figure threshold required in many other parts of the country. Compare that to states like California or New York, where single earners often need more than $100,000 just to get by.
As Realtor.com® economic research analyst Hannah Jones explains, “Owning a home on one income may be feasible in affordable states in the Midwest and the South”. Arkansas, surrounded by similarly budget-friendly states like Oklahoma and Kentucky, fits that bill.
How solo buyers are navigating the market
Affordability alone doesn’t guarantee a smooth homebuying process, especially for one-income households. Realtor.com®’s Jones notes that, “Single home shoppers may have to compromise on the type or size of home, or the location, to achieve homeownership on just one income”.
Real estate agent Brooke Nelson, who works closely with solo buyers, says many are looking for smaller, move-in-ready homes that don’t require major updates. “They do seem to have their ducks in a row, and they do want something smaller,” she notes. “They’re looking for something manageable”.
These buyers also tend to prioritize features that support flexibility and low maintenance—qualities that help keep long-term costs down and stress levels in check.
A warning for the future
Still, a word of caution to anyone looking to settle in Arkansas longterm. According to a new National Association of REALTORS® report, 11.5% of Arkansas homeowners have gained enough equity to exceed the $250,000 federal capital gains exclusion limit for single filers.
Under current law, homeowners can exclude up to $250,000 in profit when selling a primary residence—or $500,000 for married couples. The policy was established in 1997 to simplify tax reporting and protect most middle-class sellers. But since then, home prices have surged more than 260% across the country. The exclusion limits, however, haven’t moved an inch.
It’s a hidden home equity tax that homebuyers should definitely be aware of, if considering to stay put for a long time.
This article was produced with editorial input from Dina Sartore-Bodo, Gabriella Iannetta, and Allaire Conte.