The percentage of households in California able to afford a median-priced home stood at 19 percent in May, an 8 percentage-point decrease compared to the same period a year ago when the index stood at 27 percent, according to the California Association of Realtors.

The May Housing Affordability Index declined one point compared to April, when 20 percent of Californians could afford a median priced home.

The monthly housing affordability index measures the percentage of households that can afford to purchase a median-priced home in California.

The minimum household income needed to purchase a median-priced home at $465,160 in California in May was $108,450, based on a typical 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage at 5.77 percent and assuming a 20 percent down payment.

The minimum household income needed to purchase a median-priced home was up from $84,600 in May 2003, when the median price of a home was $367,630 and the prevailing interest rate was 5.62 percent.

Nationwide, a household income of $42,810 was needed in May to purchase a median-priced home, which cost $183,600

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