Most of us have heard the golden rule of housing: don’t spend more than 30% of your income on housing. Known as the 30% rule, it’s a benchmark that financial experts often cite to help households avoid becoming “home poor,” meaning they have little savings left after paying monthly housing costs.

Unfortunately, for many Americans, that standard works better in theory than in practice. Data from Realtor.com shows that in most states, middle-income households cannot comfortably afford a mid-priced home without stretching their budgets too far.

It’s a reality shaped by the same persistent pressures on housing affordability: high mortgage rates, high home prices, and economic headwinds like inflation, which continue to drive up the cost of everyday needs like food and fuel.

The good news is that Realtor.com has identified 11 states where home buyers can still afford homes without becoming financially overburdened. Most are located in the Midwest, and surprisingly, not a single Southern state (a region often associated with lower costs of living) made the cut.

“Midwestern states tend to have stronger labor markets, which keeps incomes high relative to home values,” said Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com. They also “have a lower household income tail than southern states, so more Midwesterners end up being able to afford housing.”

These are the 11 states where a middle-income household can afford a typical home without spending more than 30% of their income, according to Realtor.com.