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The pulse The Missing Middle Class Accessing homeownership isn't so easy for the millions of Americans who comprise the middle class. While it's still true that purchasing a home is less expensive than renting, it isn't a reality for many middleclass wage earners, according to recent Trulia data. How much house can the middle class afford? Los Angeles Chicago Miami Top 10 Cities for Affordable Homes for the Middle Class "Affordability ranges widely both within and between metros," said Jed Kolko, chief economist for Trulia. "In parts of New York and California, affordability is the most pressing housing concern—even though mortgage rates are still well below historical norms and buying is cheaper than renting. Yet elsewhere in the country, affordability is a distant worry compared with vacancies, foreclosures, and sluggish local job growth. All housing is local—and so are the biggest housing challenges." Median Household Earns Median Household Earns Median Household Earns Percentage of for-sale homes within reach for the middle class: {$53,001} {$58,911} {$41,400} {$271,000} {$254,000} {$196,000} Price can afford home at Price can afford home at Price can afford home at {24%} {73%} {51%} Percentage of for-sale homes within reach Percentage of for-sale homes within reach Percentage of for-sale homes within reach 1. Akron, Ohio 86% 2. Dayton, Ohio 85% 3. Toledo, Ohio 85% 4. Gary, Indiana 84% 5. Indianapolis, Indiana 6. Cincinnati, Ohio 7. Detroit, Michigan 83% 83% 83% 8. Columbia, South Carolina 9. Columbus, Ohio 83% 10. Birmingham, Alabama 82% 82% Source: Trulia 12 | The M Report