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Despite above-average wage growth in recent years, affordable housing remains out of reach for many Americans: since 2000, the median U.S. home price has jumped 177%, while the median household income has grown by 92%. And while this gap isn’t new, it has accelerated dramatically in the past few years—with some parts of the country now seeing home prices outpace wage growth by nearly 2x the national average. This report examines the cities and states where housing affordability has taken the biggest hit.

As the cost of housing, groceries, and childcare continues to rise, middle-class families across the U.S. are feeling the squeeze. But in some cities, higher wages outpace expenses—giving families more financial breathing room. A new Upgraded Points analysis ranks the best and worst places for middle-class financial stability, examining how much income is left after covering essentials like housing, food, childcare, and healthcare for a typical two-adult, two-child household.