Housing prices outpacing income statewide

Income in Maryland is not keeping up with real estate prices, putting homeownership out of the reach of some middle-class homebuyers.

The median household income in the state is just below $53,000, according to U.S. Census data. Households with that income level can generally secure mortgages of about $160,000, according to lending practices that state a borrower usually can afford a mortgage three times his or her annual income.