It’s no secret that housing costs are on the rise. From the coast of California to the high-rises of New York, there are just some places where you would expect home prices to be ridiculous. That doesn’t mean that people don’t buy homes in these places – they do. You might even be surprised at what some of the most expensive places are in the United States. There are some not so obvious places that actually cost more than 45% of your income to buy or rent a home.

The Median Home Value in America

According to Zillow, the current median home value in the U.S is $210,000. Median household income in the United States as of 2017 is $61,372. There is a huge gap between the two.

The Most Expensive States to Own a Home

The general rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your take-home pay on your mortgage or rent. This means if you earn $60,000 per year, you shouldn’t be spending more than $18,000 on housing.

Research shows that the average American spends more than 30% of their income on rent or mortgage. In fact, most people spend upwards of 37% on housing.

The list below shows the ten most expensive states in which to live (in no particular order):

1. Delaware

Median home price: $232,100

With the median home price in Delaware standing at just over $232,100, you can say it’s certainly pricy. The home prices here are above the average home prices in the U.S and are expected to go higher, albeit at a slower rate of about 2.94%.

2. Washington

Median home price: $395,000

The home values in Washington have gone up by about 8.1%. They are predicted to rise by about 6.1% within the coming year. As things stand now, the median list price per square foot for homes within Washington is $227, and the median price of homes that have sold stand at $346,500.

3. Colorado

Median home price: $415,000

Home values in Colorado have gone up by 6.8%. It is predicted that these values will rise to 9.2% within the coming year. As things stand now, the median list price per square foot for homes in Colorado is $246, and the median price for homes that have sold stand at $356,700.

4. Alaska

Median home price: $310,200

Even though median home values in Alaska have gone up by 1.3%, they may fall by 3.2%. This is good news for people looking to buy homes in Alaska in the coming year. That, however, does not mean that the state will be cheap. The median rent still stands at $1,700. Most listings go for $169 per square foot.

5. New Jersey

Median home price: $321,200

Home values in New Jersey have gone up by 7.2% and are expected to rise by 6.8% next year. A home goes for about $189 per square foot in the Garden State. Listings that have sold have a median price of $277,500 and the median rent is $1,950.

6. Massachusetts

Median home price: $401,500

Massachusetts is surprisingly one of the most expensive states in which to own a home. The home values in this state have gone up by 6.2% and are expected to rise by 9.1% in the coming year. Median rent is currently $2,500. Price per square foot of homes in Massachusetts is $253. The median price of homes sold is $371,500.

7. New York

Median home price: $674,500

As you would expect, the median home prices for homes in New York are way above the national average. Home values in the state have gone up by 5.4%. They’re likely to rise by 7.4% in the coming year. Listings in New York currently stand at an average of $825,000 while homes that have sold have gone for $567,400. The average rent here is $2,900.

8. California

Median home price: $544,900

There are reports that median home prices in California have topped $600,000. That’s no surprise in a beachfront state. Although it’s not that high, California is still quite pricey. The home values in the state have gone up 6.5% and are expected to rise 8.3% in the coming year. The median rent stands at $2,750.

9. Hawaii

Median home price: $619,000

While Zillow reports that the median home price in a Hawaii stands at $619,000, other sources show that it is much higher than that and hovers somewhere above $795,000. Whichever way you look at it, being a homeowner in Hawaii is likely going to cost you more than 45% of your income – unless you’re a millionaire. Home values here went up by 6.7% and are expected to rise by 5.2%.

10. District of Columbia

Median home price: $571,700

Homes here sell for more than $1 million, and Zillow reports that the market is currently hot. Believe it or not, these values are projected to rise even more. The home prices in the District of Columbia have risen 4.5% and are expected to go up another 4% in the coming year. The average rent price hovers around $2,682.

These are by far some of the most expensive places to live in the country. Owning a home in any of these locations is likely to cost you more than 45% of your income. If you’re a homeowner, there are other costs to consider, such as property taxes.

Remember that having a lower interest rate on your home can save you money. In order to qualify for a better interest rate, you’ll need to have good credit. If you’re trying to apply for a mortgage, check your credit score for free today to see where you stand.