New Data Show Housing Affordability Concerns Across U. S.
Gale Sawyer Hasler
12 BuildersOutlook 2026Issue2
New Data Show Housing Affordability Concerns Across U. S.
IN MEMORIAM
Gale Sawyer Hasler
DECEMBER 20, 1946 – FEBRUARY 10, 2026
New NAHB analysis shows how widespread the housing affordability challenge remains across the United States.
In 39 states and the District of Columbia, more than 65 % of households are unable to afford the median-priced new home, indicating a significant disconnect between higher new home prices, elevated mortgage rates, and stagnant household incomes. States and Metros with the Biggest Affordability Issues
New Hampshire has the steepest affordability problem, with 83.4 % of households unable to afford the state’ s median new home price of $ 677,982. Hawaii( 83 %) and Maine( 82.7 %) are not far behind.
For metro areas, several continue to feel significant affordability pressures. In the high-cost California region of San Jose- Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, only 14 % of all households would be able to afford a median-priced new home.
In contrast, the median new home price in Rome, Ga., is $ 107,567, which is affordable for more than three-quarters of area households. However, lower prices for new homes do not always indicate that housing is more affordable. In Mississippi, for example, the median new home price is $ 266,837( less than half of New Hampshire’ s). Despite that, 61.1 % of households still find new homes out of reach.
And in Delaware, where the median price of a new home is $ 373,666, more than half( 56 %) of households would struggle with affordability.
How damaging would price increases be for new home affordability?
Minor price increases could potentially price out tens of thousands of new home buyers. For example, a mere $ 1,000 increase would make new housing unaffordable for an additional 14,365 households in Texas. Among metro areas, that same $ 1,000 increase would have the biggest impact in the New York- Newark-Jersey City area, where 4,028 additional households would be priced out.
In regions where new builds are already unaffordable to the large majority of residents— such as in Silicon Valley— the price increases would not price out many additional households, as housing was already so widely unattainable.
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Born on December 20, 1946, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to James Clay Sawyer and Wilna Grace Hopkins Sawyer.
Gale graduated from Burges High School in 1964 and later from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1968. She served as the president of the El Paso Association of Builders Women’ s Auxiliary as well as serving on the Board of Directors. She also was Chairman for the Parade of Homes and the Home Show.
She spent years volunteering for the Sun Bowl Association including the Sun Carnival and the Football Team Host Committee, the El Paso Center for Battered Women, and the Child Crisis Center. Gale moved to Indianapolis, IN, where she met and married Michael Hasler. The
Robert Spencer, VP 915.747.1013
couple retired to Austin, TX, in 2013 to enjoy their golden years closer to family.
Gale is survived by her loving children: daughter Merri Cronk and husband Scott; and son Kelly Malott. She leaves behind her cherished grandsons, Kyle Cronk and Alec Justin( A. J.) Cronk. She is also survived by her brother, Dr. James Clay Sawyer( Dr. Dianne Sawyer); her sister, Susann Collins( Craig Collins); and her nieces, Gracie and Diane Collins.
Our deepest condolences to the family. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Episcopal Church of the Cross in Austin, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the charity of your choice.
Javier Varela, VP 915.771.1729
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