U.S.HOUSING WATCH

Most Americans won't afford a house until 2031, Long Island worse

The forecast says national affordability could return to twenty eighteen levels, while New York City and Long Island buyers face a longer wait; the dream is on layaway.

On air: Hank Ledger on BBN Newsroom
Published 2:06 PM ET, Monday, October 12, 2026

At a glance

First reported by New York Post: “Most Americans won’t be able to afford a house until 2031 — and it’s even worse if you’re in Long Island”.
Covered on BBN on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 2:06 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger.
Topics: Long Island, Americans.
BBN covered this story before: Worker dies in water main break near Long Island mall (October 10).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

New York PostMost Americans won’t be able to afford a house until 2031 — and it’s even worse if you’re in Long Island

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe New York Post reports most Americans won't be able to afford a house until twenty thirty-one, and Long Island may wait longer.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSkip Waverly is out there.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentHank, I'm standing outside a modest three-bedroom on Long Island, and that for-sale sign behind me is frankly looking down on me.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentNational affordability could be back to twenty eighteen levels by twenty thirty-one, but New York City and Long Island buyers may face another decade of high costs, because home prices keep outrunning incomes.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAnother decade.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentThat's the timeline, Hank.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentA long wait for a place of your own, a steady climb, and one day a seat at a desk, which I'm told is also a long wait.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThank you, Skip. Back to the houses.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentRight, the houses. A woman just walked past and laughed at the price on the sign.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentA real laugh, Hank, the kind you do at a car crash.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDid she stop and look at it?
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentShe slowed down. Then she sped up, which tells you everything about the market.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the American Dream is on a payment plan.
Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentAnd I've started saving, Hank. I'm renting a van, it's damp, and it has a lovely view of this exact house.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTwenty thirty-one sounds fair for the desk too. For you it's probably longer.