For the study, Point2 calculated the mortgage amount an individual and a couple would be eligible for based on their incomes, assuming a monthly mortgage payment that wouldn't exceed 30% of their respective earnings. They used the difference between the price of a starter home and the affordable loan to determine the down payment amount, and then used the 50/30/20 rule (20% of income going towards savings) to calculate the years it would take to save up for this down payment.
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Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.Here are the top 10 cities with the least difference in years needed to save for homeownership between singles and couples.
10 cities singles can save for a home almost as quick as couples
Here are the top 10 cities with the least difference in years needed to save for homeownership.1. Toledo, OH
- Couples save in: 11 months
- Singles save in: 1 year, 8 months
- Difference in time to save: 9 months
2. Detroit, MI
- Couples save in: 1 year
- Singles save in: 1 year, 9 months
- Difference in time to save: 10 months
3. St. Louis, MO
- Couples save in: 11 months
- Singles save in: 1 year, 10 months
- Difference in time to save: 11 months
4. Cleveland, OH
- Couples save in: 1 year
- Singles save in: 2 years
- Difference in time to save: 11 months
5. Memphis, TN
- Couples save in: 1 year, 3 months
- Singles save in: 2 years, 2 months
- Difference in time to save: 1 year
6. Baltimore, MD
- Couples save in: 1 year, 6 months
- Singles save in: 2 years, 6 months
- Difference in time to save: 1 year, 1 month
7. Kansas City, MO
- Couples save in: 1 year, 6 months
- Singles save in: 3 years
- Difference in time to save: 1 year, 6 months
8. Oklahoma City, OK
- Couples save in: 1 year, 6 months
- Singles save in: 3 years
- Difference in time to save: 1 year, 6 months
9. Wichita, KS
- Couples save in: 1 year, 5 months
- Singles save in: 3 years
- Difference in time to save: 1 year, 7 months
10. Tulsa, OK
- Couples save in: 1 year, 6 months
- Singles save in: 3 years, 2 months
- Difference in time to save: 1 year, 8 months
Although buying a home is difficult everywhere, due to high mortgage rates, elevated real estate prices and low housing stock, it's more achievable in certain regions across the country. Specifically, the Midwest. Thanks to the region's affordable housing, small-to-midsize Midwestern cities are great choices for homebuyers on a budget, specifically single homebuyers. You can also check out our picks for the top 12 surprisingly great places to retire in the Midwest.
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