12 US cities where even the highest earners can barely afford housing

Median home value: $236,600

Median annual income for highest earners: $72,801

Affordable monthly payment for highest earners: $1,699

In Virginia Beach, architecture and engineering jobs pay the most. These workers should spend a maximum of $1,699 a month on housing, according to affordability standards. The estimated monthly payment for a median-priced home in the area is $931, leaving them about $768 to spare.

Median home value: $257,300

Median annual income for highest earners: $76,003

Affordable monthly payment for highest earners: $1,773

Architecture and engineering are the highest paid jobs in Providence. These workers should spend a maximum of $1,773 on housing, according to affordability standards. The estimated monthly payment for a median-priced home in the area is $1,013, leaving them with about $761 to spare.

Median home value: $312,500

Median annual income for highest earners: $83,118

Affordable monthly payment for highest earners: $1,939

In Portland, jobs in the legal industry pay the most. According to affordability standards, these workers should spend a maximum of $1,939 on housing. The estimated monthly payment for a median-priced home in the area is $1,230, leaving them with about $710 to spare.

Median home value: $255,100

Median annual income for highest earners: $72,268

Affordable monthly payment for highest earners: $1,686

In Salt Lake City, legal occupations pay the highest of any industry. According to affordability standards, these workers should spend a maximum of $1,686 on housing. The estimated monthly payment for a median-priced home in the area is $1,004, leaving them with about $682 to spare.

Median home value: $236,500

Median annual income for highest earners: $68,838

Affordable monthly payment for highest earners: $1,606

Law enforcement workers and supervisors are the highest-paid workers in the Miami metro. These workers should spend a maximum of $1,606 on housing, affording to affordability standards. The estimated monthly payment for a median-priced home in the area is $931, leaving them with about $675 to spare.

Median home value: $317,100

Median annual income for highest earners: $81,747

Affordable monthly payment for highest earners: $1,907

Jobs in computer and mathematics pay the highest of any industry in Denver. These workers should spend a maximum of $1,907 on housing, according to affordability standards. The estimated monthly payment for a median-priced home in the area is $1,248, leaving them with about $659 to spare.

Median home value: $393,500

Median annual income for highest earners: $91,015

Affordable monthly payment for highest earners: $2,124

Jobs in computer and mathematics pay the highest of any industry in Boston. According to affordability standards, these workers should spend a maximum of $2,124 on housing. The estimated monthly payment for a median-priced home in the area is $1,549, leaving them with about $575 to spare.

Median home value: $537,000

Median annual income for highest earners: $97,707

Affordable monthly payment for highest earners: $2,280

Legal professionals are the highest-paid workers in Los Angeles. According to affordability standards, these people should spend a maximum of $2,280 on housing. The estimated monthly payment for a median-priced home in the area is $2,113, leaving them with about $166 to spare.

Median home value: $484,900

Median annual income for highest earners: $86,596

Affordable monthly payment for highest earners: $2,021

In San Diego, architecture and engineering jobs pay the most. According to affordability standards, workers in theses industries should spend a maximum of $2,021 on housing. The estimated monthly payment for a median-priced home in the area is $1,908, leaving them with about $112 to spare.

Median home value: $716,500

Median annual income for highest earners: $112,168

Affordable monthly payment for highest earners: $2,617

In San Francisco, jobs in the legal industry are the highest paying. The estimated monthly payment for a median-priced home in the area is $2,820, but a worker in the highest paying industry should spend about $2,617 — a difference of $203.

Median home value: $815,000

Median annual income for highest earners: $123,052

Affordable monthly payment for highest earners: $2,871

Jobs in computer and mathematics pay the highest in San Jose. The estimated monthly payment for a median-priced home in the area is $3,207, but a worker in the highest paying industry should spend about $2,871 — a difference of $336.

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