The affordability data story your readers are asking for
Affordability is the defining economic story of our era. American Dream Index provides journalists and researchers with granular, city-level data on housing costs, income gaps, and the real cost of the American Dream — updated monthly.
Ready-to-publish data stories
"A teacher in Dallas needs to earn 34% more than the median salary to afford a median-priced home — but moving 90 miles to Fort Worth closes that gap entirely."
"Registered nurses in San Francisco earn $145K — and still can't afford the median home. In Des Moines, the same nurse is in the top 20% of earners."
"The cities where the American Dream is still achievable on a median income — and the ones where it's mathematically impossible."
"How much would you need to earn to afford a median home in your city? The answer varies by 400% depending on where you live."
"The 10 occupations most priced out of homeownership — and the 10 cities where they can still make it work."
"Remote work changed everything. Here are the 15 metros where moving from a coastal city would increase your financial score by 20+ points."
What we can provide
Registered Nurse Affordability by City
BLS median income: $82,750/year. Data as of Q1 2025.
| City | Median Income | Median Home | Price/Income | ADI Score | Affordable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | $82,750 | $248,000 | 3.0x | 91 | Yes |
| Indianapolis, IN | $82,750 | $265,000 | 3.2x | 88 | Yes |
| Raleigh, NC | $82,750 | $395,000 | 4.8x | 79 | Yes |
| Austin, TX | $82,750 | $485,000 | 5.9x | 72 | Yes |
| Nashville, TN | $82,750 | $430,000 | 5.2x | 75 | Yes |
| Chicago, IL | $82,750 | $385,000 | 4.7x | 71 | Yes |
| Denver, CO | $82,750 | $620,000 | 7.5x | 55 | ✕ No |
| Seattle, WA | $82,750 | $882,000 | 10.7x | 38 | ✕ No |
| New York, NY | $82,750 | $850,000 | 10.3x | 41 | ✕ No |
| San Francisco, CA | $82,750 | $1,250,000 | 15.1x | 22 | ✕ No |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, FHFA HPI. ADI Score is a composite affordability index (0–100).
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