A new study offers a glimmer of hope for aspiring homeowners struggling with high prices and mortgage rates. Seven states have housing markets where the average buyer can save enough for a home in less than seven years, according to research released Wednesday by Highland Cabinetry, a Phoenix-based cabinet manufacturer.
States with Fastest Path to Homeownership
Iowa tops the list with a median home price of $228,000, allowing the average person to achieve homeownership in just 5.6 years. Oklahoma follows closely at 5.8 years, while Pennsylvania and Ohio both offer a 6.3-year timeline. Illinois (6.5 years), Indiana (6.8 years), and North Dakota (6.9 years) round out the seven states where homeownership is within reach in under seven years.
Five of these seven states are located in the Midwest region, highlighting a geographic concentration of affordability.
Best States for Specific Professions
The study analyzed six professions: teachers, nurses, pharmacists, accountants, computer programmers, and police officers. For teachers, Pennsylvania offers the quickest route, with an average of 8.1 years to save for a home. Nurses can achieve homeownership fastest in Oklahoma at 5.3 years, while Iowa provides the best opportunity for law enforcement officers at 5.6 years.
“Homeownership is slipping out of reach for most Americans,” a Highland Cabinet spokesperson said. “The median house price hit $436,000 this year, but wages are not keeping up. A teacher making $60,000 in an expensive state might never save enough for a down payment if they're already spending $40,000 on rent and bills.”
National Housing Challenges
The study comes amid persistent affordability challenges. The average sales price of a home stood at $514,600 in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Federal Reserve, remaining near all-time highs. Mortgage rates have stayed above 6% for all but one week over the past four years, making home loans significantly more expensive than during the 2009-2021 period.
As a result, about 15% of Americans under 30 had given up on ever buying a home by the end of 2025. Since late 2025, President Donald Trump has proposed several ideas to reduce homeownership costs, including a 50-year mortgage to lower monthly payments and using government funds to purchase mortgage bonds to drive down interest rates. However, experts warn these measures may have limited or temporary effects.
