Report: New York ranked dead last for housing affordability, construction

(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, ...