This interesting story shows how much money you need to make in the top 50 real estate markets in the USA.  Its interesting to see in San Jose, CA where the average home price is $1,165,000 you need to make over $216,000 to buy the average priced home!  At the bottom end of the list is Orlando, Florida where the average home is only $247,900 and the salary required is $54,148.  This survey of course does not even consider smaller towns, as a long time well connected top Realtor I have dear Realtor friends all over the USA where homes average less than $100k, these are nice, liveable homes!  Check out the full story at https://www.hsh.com/finance/mortgage/salary-home-buying-25-cities.html#most_expensive_25_metros