American Income vs Home Prices (1985–2025)

What We're Showing

This chart compares median American household income and the median sales price of a U.S. home in 1985 and 2025, along with average 30-year mortgage rates for each year. The data comes from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and Motio Research.

Key Takeaways

• From 1985 to 2025, the median annual household income in the U.S. increased by 252%, rising from $23,620 to $83,150
• Meanwhile, median home prices surged by 403%, climbing from $82,800 to $416,900 over the same period
• Average 30-year fixed mortgage rates have fallen from 12.4% in 1985 to 6.8% in 2025, making borrowing relatively cheaper despite higher home prices
• In 1985, the median home cost was about 3.5 times the median annual income. In 2025, it’s 5 times the income, highlighting a widening affordability gap