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Where the down payment burden has grown most
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Stacker , KVIA ABC-7
· July 25, 2026
· 21 min read
Photo: KVIA ABC-7 · view original
Saving for a home down payment has become a moving target. As rising home prices outstrip wage growth, the amount of time buyers may need to set aside enough money has changed sharply in many parts of the country. In some states, rising incomes have helped offset higher home values. In others, bu...
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Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Stacker, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 25, 2026 Indexed here Jul 25, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The analysis also evaluates how long a minimum-wage earner would need to save for a down payment in 2026, based on each state’s minimum wage.
Why this matters in The El Paso
In El Paso, the growing down payment burden is a pressing concern for prospective homebuyers. While the city's home prices are relatively more affordable compared to coastal states like California and Hawai'i, the rising costs still pose a significant challenge for median-income households. The fact that saving for a down payment on a minimum-wage income alone is essentially impossible in every state, including Texas, underscores the need for local policymakers to explore affordable housing solutions. As the city continues to grow and develop, it is crucial to address the issue of housing affordability to ensure that El Paso remains a viable option for first-time homebuyers and low-income families. The contrast between states like Mississippi and Louisiana, where income growth has outpaced home-price growth, and states like Idaho, where the time needed to save for a down payment has increased significantly, highlights the importance of considering local economic factors in addressing housing affordability.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 25, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 21 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Saving for a home down payment has become a moving target. As rising home prices outstrip wage growth, the amount of time buyers may need to set aside enough money has changed sharply in many parts of the country. In some states, rising incomes have helped offset higher home values. In others, bu...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 25, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stacker at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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