ATTOM’s just released Q4 2021 U.S. Home Affordability Report shows the latest pattern in home affordability – home prices still manageable, but getting less affordable – has resulted in major ownership costs on the typical home consuming 25.2 percent of the average national wage of $65,546.

According to ATTOM’s latest home affordability analysis, the percent of wages needed to buy a median-priced single-family home is up from 24.4 percent in Q3 2021 and 21.5 percent in Q4 2020. The report noted the latest level of 25.2 percent is still within the 28 percent standard lenders prefer for how much homeowners should spend on mortgage payments, home insurance and property taxes.

The Q4 2021 report also shows that median-priced homes are less affordable in the fourth quarter compared to historical averages in 77 percent of U.S. counties analyzed. That figure is up from just 39 percent of counties in Q4 2020, to the highest point in 13 years, as home prices continue rising faster than wages.

ATTOM’s Q4 2021 home affordability report noted that compared to historical levels, median home prices in 440 of the 575 counties analyzed in Q4 2021 are less affordable than past averages. That number is up from 428 of the same group of counties in Q3 2021 and 224 in Q4 2020. The percentage of counties where affordability is worse than historical averages during Q4 2021 has hit another high point since Q3 2008.