Veteran Home Affordability: How Today’s Market Impacts Your Buying Power

Why are so few homes affordable for Veterans today—and how does the San Antonio–New Braunfels market compare to the rest of the country?

Across the U.S., only about one in five homes is affordable for a typical VA buyer. But in Texas—especially the San Antonio–New Braunfels region—you’re still seeing significantly better opportunities than most major metros.

The Big Picture: Veteran Home Affordability Is Shrinking Nationally

Over the past decade, the landscape has shifted dramatically for Veterans looking to buy a home using a VA loan. In 2015, roughly half of all homes on the market were affordable to VA buyers. Today, that number has fallen to just 21.8%.

That’s a steep drop, and it tells a larger story about how price growth, competition, and interest rates have reshaped the path to homeownership.

Several factors are driving the national decline:

• Home prices have risen faster than incomes.

• Inventory remains limited, especially in entry-level price ranges.

• Higher interest rates reduce purchasing power, even with the VA loan’s long-standing benefits.

• Investor activity in affordable price brackets has accelerated in many metros.

Veterans still have one of the strongest loan programs available, but even a powerful tool can only reach what’s on the shelf. When there are fewer affordable homes on the market, the challenge becomes navigating availability—not eligibility.

Metro Winners: Where Veterans Still Have Strong Buying Power

While affordability has tightened across the country, there are still markets where VA buyers can purchase successfully without stretching their budgets.

Here are a few standout metros ranked among the strongest for VA affordability:

Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MI

With roughly 60% of homes affordable to VA buyers, this metro consistently ranks as one of the most accessible for Veterans. Lower median home prices paired with diverse housing stock give buyers more runway than in most of the country.

Midwestern & Rust Belt Markets

Cities across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana frequently appear in lists of VA-friendly affordability markets because home prices remain reasonable relative to typical VA borrower incomes.

These metros aren’t perfect fits for every lifestyle or job market, but for Veterans focused on maximizing buying power, they continue to offer significant opportunity.

Metro Losers: The Markets Pricing Veterans Out

On the opposite end of the spectrum, many high-demand coastal cities offer little—or virtually no—affordable inventory for VA buyers.

San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA

This tech-driven market sees less than 1–2% of listings qualifying as affordable for typical VA borrowers.

San Francisco–Oakland–Berkeley, CA

Similarly, only a tiny sliver of listings fall within reach. Prices simply outpace what most Veterans can comfortably finance, even with a zero-down program.

Southern California Coastline Metros

Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County have extremely limited inventory under typical VA affordability thresholds.

For Veterans eyeing these metros, the biggest challenge isn’t qualifying—it’s finding inventory.

Where San Antonio–New Braunfels Fits In

This is where things shift from discouraging to hopeful.

The San Antonio–New Braunfels region consistently ranks among the most VA-friendly major metros in the nation. One recent dataset shows roughly half of all listings—about 53%—were affordable to VA buyers at the time of reporting.

That’s more than double the national average.

Why does this matter?

Because if you’re stationed here, retiring here, moving back home, or relocating to Texas, you’re entering one of the strongest Veteran opportunity zones in the U.S.

Here’s what sets this region apart:

• More balanced price growth compared to Texas metros like Austin

• Significant new construction, which increases supply

• A strong military presence that supports VA usage

• A wider distribution of homes under $350K, where VA buying power is strongest

This gives local Veterans a major advantage—especially those using a VA loan for the first time or stepping into the market after several years of rising prices.

As a real estate agent with Phyllis Browning Company and a Veteran myself, I’ve seen firsthand how the San Antonio–New Braunfels market creates opportunities Veterans simply cannot find in coastal or high-growth metros.

Beyond the Headlines: What “Affordability” Really Means for Veterans

When you hear that only 21.8% of homes are affordable for VA buyers nationally, it’s easy to assume the issue is interest rates alone. But affordability is a combination of:

• Home Price

• Interest Rate

• Your Income

• Your Monthly Debt Obligations

In other words—affordability is personal.

And yet, the national trend does matter. It tells us:

• Inventory has become misaligned with what typical VA buyers can reasonably afford.

• VA buyers must focus on strategy, location, timing, and negotiation—not just loan benefits.

• Markets like San Antonio–New Braunfels are becoming more attractive because they offer choices, not compromises.

This is why Veterans have to think about affordability from both a national and a local perspective.

The Regional Reality: Texas Still Outperforms the Nation

While affordability varies across Texas, many metros still outperform national averages—though not by equal margins.

San Antonio–New Braunfels (Very Strong)

A standout market for Veterans. Balanced prices. Broad inventory. Favorable ratios.

Houston (Moderate)

Offers more affordable homes than many large U.S. metros, but tighter than San Antonio. Price growth remains steady.

Dallas–Fort Worth (Tightening)

High growth and rising prices mean affordability is shrinking faster here.

Austin (Challenging)

Despite some price corrections in recent years, affordability for typical VA buyers remains limited.

This context reinforces your strategic advantage if you're house-hunting in San Antonio–New Braunfels—you’re shopping in one of the most VA-accessible large metros in the country.

The Veteran Advantage: Your VA Loan Still Packs a Punch

Even in a tougher housing market, the VA loan remains one of the most financially powerful tools available:

• 0% down

• No monthly mortgage insurance

• Flexible credit standards

• Competitive interest rates

• Ability to refinance through streamlined programs

When paired with a market like San Antonio–New Braunfels, this is a combination that continues to open doors—even when national headlines look grim.

What This Means If You’re a Veteran Thinking About Buying

You’re not just battling prices. You’re navigating availability.

But here’s the takeaway:

Veterans in the San Antonio–New Braunfels area are in one of the strongest affordability markets in the country—while many metros continue pricing Veterans out.

If you’re planning to use your VA benefit soon, you’re in a much better position than the national averages suggest.

And if you’re relocating from an expensive coastal metro, the difference in affordability might be the key that turns “someday” into “right now.”

Final Takeaway

Nationally, affordability for VA buyers has fallen sharply over the past decade. But that’s not the whole story. While some markets have slammed the door shut, others—especially San Antonio–New Braunfels—continue to offer Veterans real, meaningful buying power.

The opportunity is still here. You just need a guide who understands both the data and the VA journey.

As a fellow Veteran and a real estate agent with Phyllis Browning Company, my mission is to help you navigate this market confidently, strategically, and with the support you deserve.

Call to Action

If you want deeper insights, ongoing education, and real-talk guidance designed specifically for Veterans, follow me on my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@cposeyrealestate

That’s where I break down the home buying and selling process in a way that empowers you—not pressures you.