5 States With Low Salaries but High Homeownership Rates

Wesley Hitt / Getty Images
Wesley Hitt / Getty Images

You might think that states with the highest average salaries would also have high rates of homeownership, but this is not necessarily the case. A recent CNN analysis that compared average personal income data from the Federal Reserve and homeownership rates from U.S. Census data for every state found that some of the states with the poorest Americans have a high percentage of homeowners.

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As the analysis stated, “demographics, competition for homes and strict zoning regulations all play a role in the cost of real estate.” So even in places where salaries are relatively low, homes may be more affordable for the average earner.

Here’s a look at the states with the lowest per capita incomes but some of the highest homeownership rates.

ParkerDeen / Getty Images/iStockphoto
ParkerDeen / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Mississippi

  • Homeownership rank: 3

  • Homeownership rate: 76%

  • Average personal income: $48,110

  • Income rank: 50

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benedek / Getty Images
benedek / Getty Images

West Virginia

  • Homeownership rank: 1

  • Homeownership rate: 77%

  • Average personal income: $52,585

  • Income rank: 49

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Allard1 / Getty Images
Allard1 / Getty Images

Alabama

  • Homeownership rank: 9

  • Homeownership rate: 74%

  • Average personal income: $53,175

  • Income rank: 48

Anne Kitzman / Shutterstock.com
Anne Kitzman / Shutterstock.com

Kentucky

  • Homeownership rank: 21

  • Homeownership rate: 69%

  • Average personal income: $54,326

  • Income rank: 47

Kathy Byrd / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Kathy Byrd / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arkansas

  • Homeownership rank: 38

  • Homeownership rate: 66%

  • Average personal income: $54,347

  • Income rank: 46

Data is sourced from CNN and is accurate as of July 9, 2024.

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