Workers earning the median wage in just 9% of occupations tracked in the Columbus metro area could afford a typical home with a 10% down payment in 2025, down from 40% in 2020, according to the National Housing Conference.

Across Ohio’s metropolitan areas, the corresponding share fell from 67% to 26%—the steepest statewide decline in the nation. The analysis assumes one income per household.

"This report shows that home ownership is becoming a luxury in Ohio, and that jobs that used to be considered solidly middle class … are getting shut out of the American dream," said Marcus Roth, spokesperson for the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO).

The NHC report tracked nearly 300 occupations across roughly 390 metro areas, using Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, the Zillow Home Value Index for home prices and HUD Fair Market Rent figures for rentals. It assumed a 10% down payment and prevailing mortgage APRs, which climbed from 3.07% in 2020 to 6.77% in 2025, according to Freddie Mac data cited in the report.

Five Ohio metro areas ranked among the 25 biggest affordability declines nationally, led by Mansfield at No. 2. There, the income needed to qualify for a typical home jumped 121%, from $28,483 to $62,931. Cleveland ranked No. 8, Springfield No. 10, Toledo No. 13 and Akron No. 23.

NHC President and CEO David Dworkin said in a statement that the trend extends beyond housing, calling it "a workforce and economic problem" when teachers, firefighters, EMTs and postal workers cannot afford to live in the communities they serve. The average salary among occupations that lost the ability to buy a home statewide between 2020 and 2025 was $70,283, the report found.

The rental market is feeling pressure too. Statewide, 77% of occupations could afford a two-bedroom apartment in 2020. That dropped to 69% by 2025. Roth said people who cannot buy remain renters longer, increasing demand and pushing rents higher. Ohio has a shortage of 266,000 affordable rental units, according to a 2026 Gap Report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition and COHHIO. A full-time Ohio worker needs at least $23.82 an hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment, according to the groups' separate Out of Reach report.

Upper Arlington's market showed some loosening. Inventory stood at 72 homes in September, up from 57 a year earlier, and days on market fell to 16 year-to-date from 20, according to the Columbus Realtors report. Sellers received an average of 100.2% of list price, and homes that sold in September spent 17 days on market, down from 31 a year earlier.