Why Is It So Hard to Buy a House?

With skyrocketing home prices and high interest rates, it can be difficult to buy a home these days.

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With skyrocketing home prices and rising interest rates, it may seem impossible to buy a home. In fact, more than half (65 percent) of recent buyers regret purchasing their homes—with most concerns being financial in nature, according to the 2025 American Home Buyer Report by Clever Real Estate.

So if you’re thinking of jumping into the housing market, it’s important to take a close look at the numbers.

Median Home Prices Are Outpacing Wages

The median home price in the United States is $438,000, according to the latest data from Clever. With that price tag, you would need a median income of $123,226 to comfortably buy a house and cover the mortgage. However, the median income for Americans is $77,719.