The 10 Most Expensive States to Buy a House in the U.S. in 2026

Key takeaways California, Montana, and New York are the most expensive states to buy a house in the U.S., where monthly housing payments eat up half of a local homebuyer’s income. Most of the priciest states are located on the coasts; limited inventory and higher incomes have pushed prices to all-time highs. Housing affordability is a major issue for everyone, but is slowly improving. Housing has become increasingly expensive for Americans since the pandemic. Home prices have climbed by more than 50%, and mortgage rates have nearly doubled, pushing the typical housing payment to ever-climbing highs. An average homebuyer needs to spend nearly 40% of their income on housing today, according to Redfin data. This has exacerbated a housing crisis and pushed more people into a cool but expensive rental market – where many now aim to stay. These rising living expenses have been a major reason why people have been migrating to more affordable parts of the country of late. Areas in the Sun Belt, Midwest, and Northeast have blossomed, while coastal cities have slowed. So, in a market where so many are seeking affordability, where are homes still the most expensive? What are the most expensiv...