(The Center Square) – New York ranks dead last among states for home building and affordability, according to a new nationwide report, which adds to pressure on the state’s political leaders to bring down housing costs.
The Realtor.com analysis found New York fared the worst among all 50 states and the District of Columbia, earning it an “F” grade in the company’s 2026 Housing Report Card. it was one of six states – including Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut – to earn a failing grade, the website said. New York dropped to the bottom from 49th place in last year’s report.
The report’s authors attributed the Empire State’s paltry ranking of 8.5 points out of 100 was largely to its sluggish construction and high housing costs, with the average cost of a single-family home rising to $668,173 this year.
“One of the biggest challenges facing New York is the amount of time it takes to move a housing project from land acquisition to construction and occupancy,” Michael Fazio, executive director of the New York State Builders Association, told Realtor.com.
In 2026, a household earning the state’s $96,809 median income would have to spend more than 55% of it to afford a median-priced home of $668,173, according to the report’s authors.
Meanwhile, New York’s permit-to-population construction ratio stands at a meager 0.45, which the report’s authors said means building permits are less than half of what the state’s population share would suggest.
He said delays add “significant” costs to each project that ultimately get passed on to homebuyers and renters, making it even harder to find housing.
“The development approval, environmental review, permitting, and inspection processes can often take years before a project is completed and families can move into a home,” Fazio told the website.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has taken steps to expand housing stock and reduce the cost of building new homes, including streamlining environmental reviews and reducing delays for housing and infrastructure projects.
But Republicans say Albany needs to take more aggressive steps to ensure that people can afford to buy homes in the state. They’ve cited the impact of high housing costs on outmigration and the state’s economy, and want the state to reduce unnecessary regulations that create hurdles for home builders.
“New York State has become a laughing stock and a blueprint for other states on how NOT to approach affordability issues,” Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt posted on X Monday. “And it’s only going to get worse as long as Albany’s one-party machine continues to make life harder on New Yorkers.”
