PENNSYLVANIA — A recent ranking compiled by Redfin Real Estate and published by Stacker highlights dramatic contrasts in housing affordability across Pennsylvania, identifying 20 cities where aspiring homeowners can spend significantly less of their income on a home compared with much of the rest of the state. The list is based on local payment-to-income ratios averaged from January through October 2025, a key metric for gauging buyer affordability.
Topping the list is West Mifflin, where the typical monthly mortgage payment represents just 19.4 percent of annual household income. The borough’s median home sale price is roughly $177,717, with monthly payments near $1,135, making it one of the rare Pennsylvania communities where housing costs remain deeply within reach for many middle-income families.
Plum ranks second, buoyed by higher median household earnings nearing $98,475 and a median home sale price of about $267,007, keeping monthly payments around $1,705 — a relative bargain in an otherwise tight market. Lower Burrell and Baldwin also feature near the top, with payment-to-income ratios of 21.4 percent and 22.3 percent, respectively, signaling that buyers in these communities may allocate a smaller share of earnings toward housing.
Among other notable locations, Whitehall and Dunmore both clock ratios near 23 percent, with median monthly mortgage payments between $1,447 and $1,616. Bethel Park and Monroeville similarly appear on the list, offering manageable payment thresholds for buyers even as median sale prices climb modestly above $300,000 in some cases.
Several smaller boroughs, such as Munhall — where the median sale price sits around $170,055 with a monthly payment near $1,086 — and Jefferson Hills, where robust household incomes offset higher prices, demonstrate how divergent local economic profiles can shape affordability outcomes.
The ranking extends to Franklin Park and Murrysville, suburban communities with higher home prices but correspondingly higher household incomes, keeping payment-to-income percentages within or near widely accepted affordability thresholds. Similarly, Greensburg and Mountain Top appear on the list, illustrating that affordability is not confined to one region of the state.
Redfin analysts emphasize that lower payment-to-income ratios can offer a buffer for buyers against broader statewide and national housing pressures, even as median home prices in many Pennsylvania markets have climbed toward or above $294,000.
The full 20-city list captures a wide range of communities from across Pennsylvania, each with unique housing characteristics, income profiles, and cost dynamics, presenting opportunities for buyers who may have struggled to find affordable options in more expensive metro areas.
Prospective buyers are advised to consider local market conditions closely, as affordability can shift rapidly with changes in interest rates, inventory levels, and household income trends, all of which have significant implications for homeownership feasibility in the coming year.
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