These maps show which states are actually building housing
We're not building enough new homes in the US to keep costs reasonable, a new report says. But some states are doing better than others: See the map.
Nationwide housing permits remained flat in the first half of 2026, according to a report from UNLV's Lied Center for Real Estate. States like South Carolina, Idaho, and North Carolina led in permitting, potentially helping to ease prices. However, the overall housing pipeline is stalling, indicating affordable housing may continue to be scarce.
Nicholas Irwin, coauthor of the report, noted that while some states are doing better than others, many are falling behind in housing construction. The report found that California had the largest gap between the income needed to afford a median-priced home and the median income of homeowner households. Irwin suggested that states should continue building various types of housing, utilizing local policies to boost affordability.
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