![Toledo from the Skyway Bridge Toledo from the Skyway Bridge](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/toledo-wealth-cities.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
America’s richest people may have stories of sudden wealth and start-up success, but for most people in the US the journey to financial security is slow and steady.
After all, building wealth isn’t just about income. It’s about keeping your major expenses low so you can focus on saving and investing, and that may start with choosing the right place to live.
Housing costs account for about 37% of take-home pay for the average American. Many people spend even more.
In some circumstances — if you live in San Francisco or New York, for instance, where affordability is increasingly difficult to come by — spending a lot on rent or a mortgage is unavoidable.
But making a few sacrifices on housing expenses today could lead to significant savings — and a far more comfortable future.
New data from HowMuch.net reveals the cities where the average monthly mortgage payment takes up the smallest share of the median paycheck, enabling residents to build wealth by saving and investing the extra money.
The standard measure of housing affordability says Americans should spend no more than 30% of pre-tax income on housing. In the 10 cities below, the average homeowner spends 16% or less of their income on their mortgage payment.
For each city, we’ve included the median annual income, median home listing price, monthly mortgage payment assuming a 30-year fixed rate, and the percentage of income that goes toward housing.
Read more: 9 places in the US where people are happier, living longer, and least likely to run out of money
10. Columbus, Ohio
![Scioto river with waterfall and Columbus Ohio skyline, USA Scioto river with waterfall and Columbus Ohio skyline, USA](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/city-live-well-columbus.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
Median listing price: $163,840
Monthly mortgage payment: $597
Median household income: $45,659
Income spent on housing: 15.7%
9. Indianapolis, Indiana
![View of Indianapolis skyline and Canal Walk View of Indianapolis skyline and Canal Walk](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/indianapolis-best-places-travel.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
Median listing price: $145,000
Monthly mortgage payment: $529
Median household income: $41,987
Income spent on housing: 15.1%
8. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
![Downtown Milwaukee and Milwaukee River, Wisconsin Downtown Milwaukee and Milwaukee River, Wisconsin](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/milwaukee-wealth-cities.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
Median listing price: $124,800
Monthly mortgage payment: $452
Median household income: $35,958
Income spent on housing: 15%
7. Fort Wayne, Indiana
![Fort Wayne Fort Wayne](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/fort-wayne-wealth-cities.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
Median listing price: $149,900
Monthly mortgage payment: $543
Median household income: $43,774
Income spent on housing: 14.9%
6. Wichita, Kansas
![Autumn Skyline of Empty Downtown Wichita, Kansas Autumn Skyline of Empty Downtown Wichita, Kansas](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/wichita-wealth-cities.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
Median listing price: $153,900
Monthly mortgage payment: $558
Median household income: $45,947
Income spent on housing: 14.6%
Read more: The 7 steps to making more money, according to a self-made millionaire
5. Baltimore, Maryland
![Baltimore skyline and Inner Harbor Baltimore skyline and Inner Harbor](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/baltimore-wealth-growth-cities.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
Median listing price: $139,000
Monthly mortgage payment: $504
Median household income: $42,241
Income spent on housing: 14.3%
4. Buffalo, New York
![Tourists in Niagara Falls Tourists in Niagara Falls](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/buffalo-wealth-growth.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
Median listing price: $90,000
Monthly mortgage payment: $327
Median household income: $31,918
Income spent on housing: 12.3%
3. Cleveland, Ohio
![Downtown skyline Cleveland, Ohio Downtown skyline Cleveland, Ohio](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cleveland-wealth-cities.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
Median listing price: $70,000
Monthly mortgage payment: $255
Median household income: $26,150
Income spent on housing: 10.3%
2. Memphis, Tennessee
![Beale Street Music District in Memphis Tennessee USA Beale Street Music District in Memphis Tennessee USA](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/gettyimages-522374264.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
Median listing price: $88,500
Monthly mortgage payment: $321
Median household income: $36,445
Income spent on housing: 10.6%
Read more: The 9 highest-paying jobs for millennials
1. Toledo, Ohio
![Toledo from the Skyway Bridge Toledo from the Skyway Bridge](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/toledo-wealth-cities.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
Median listing price: $74,900
Monthly mortgage payment: $273
Median household income: $33,687
Income spent on housing: 9.7%
This article originally appeared on BusinessInsider.com
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