Where Millennials Can and Can’t Actually Afford to Buy Homes

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Colorado and Oregon are two of the least affordable states for millennials to buy a home, a new study found.

Unsurprisingly, these states also rank as two of the most popular to move to for the age group.

Personal finance website GOBankingRates considered the median list prices for homes across all 50 states. Based on the median millennial income of $60,932 and a 20 percent monthly savings rate, GOBankingRates calculated the amount of time it would take a millennial to afford a 20 percent down payment, as well as the estimated monthly mortgage payment.

(PRNewsfoto/GOBankingRates)

For full study results and more details on methodology, visit: Where Millennials Can and Can’t Actually Afford to Buy Homes.

Best States for Millennials to Buy a Home

1. West Virginia

  • Median list price: $150,000
  • Estimated time to save for a down payment: 2.5 years
  • Monthly mortgage payment: $693

2. Ohio

  • Median list price: $154,900
  • Estimated time to save for a down payment: 2.5 years
  • Monthly mortgage payment: $704

3. Arkansas

  • Median list price: $164,900
  • Estimated time to save for a down payment: 2.7 years
  • Monthly mortgage payment: $757

4. Indiana

  • Median list price: $167,000
  • Estimated time to save for a down payment: 2.7 years
  • Monthly mortgage payment: $757

5. Iowa

  • Median list price: $169,000
  • Estimated time to save for a down payment: 2.8 years
  • Monthly mortgage payment: $766

Worst States for Millennials to Buy a Home

1. Hawaii

  • Median list price: $599,000
  • Estimated time to save for a down payment: 9.8 years
  • Monthly mortgage payment: $2,584

2. California

  • Median list price: $499,950
  • Estimated time to save for a down payment: 8.2 years
  • Monthly mortgage payment: $2,168

3. Massachusetts

  • Median list price: $419,900
  • Estimated time to save for a down payment: 6.9 years
  • Monthly mortgage payment: $1,833

4. Colorado

  • Median list price: $408,068
  • Estimated time to save for a down payment: 6.7 years
  • Monthly mortgage payment: $1,780

5. Oregon

  • Median list price: $352,000
  • Estimated time to save for a down payment: 5.8 years
  • Monthly mortgage payment: $1,551

Additional Study Insights

  • According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas, Washington and Colorado are the top three states where millennials are moving, though none top the list of places to buy.
  • The three cities losing the most millennials are New York, San Diego and Miami.
  • The Bay Area continues to be a hot spot for millennials, with San Francisco and Oakland both in the top 10 cities millennials are moving, despite the high cost of housing.

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