Remember, in the 1950s a new build home would cost about 1 years salary I'm afraid that is mostly a myth. This source (https://www.longtermtrends.net/home-pri

Remember, in the 1950s a new build home would cost about 1 years salary I'm afraid that is mostly a myth. This source (https://www.longtermtrends.net/home-price-median-annual-income-ratio/ https://www.longtermtrends.net/home-price-median-annual-inco...) shows that the home price to median household income multiple in 1950 was around 6, or about the same as now. It did fall quite dramatically during the late 1950's, going a bit under 5x by 1960 and nearing an all time low of just over 4x by the late 1990's. This other source (https://archive.curbed.com/2018/4/10/17219786/buying-a-house-mortgage-government-gi-bill https://archive.curbed.com/2018/4/10/17219786/buying-a-house...) shows that median household income in 1950 was $3,000 and the median "home value" was $7,400. Which is still 2.45x. By 2000, the multiple had declined to 2.17. I suspect the media home sale price was substantially higher. Both sources show a surge in home prices during the housing bubble between 2000 and 2010. Note, you also get a LOT more house now than you did in the 1950's. Much much larger, much higher quality, many more amenities, etc.