generally speaking, home prices reflect local incomes.
people can afford more, sellers/developers price their homes accordingly.
when we considered where to move to from MD's DC suburbs, we drew up a list of nice to have, and can do without.
didn't need a place on the water. didn't need a place near golfing. did want some acreage (was shooting for 5 or more), not too big a city, but big enough you didn't have to drive an hour to a bigger city to get the basics of life. we considered NM, WY, but CO was out.
and you have to adjust your wish list to your pocketbook. $10M place in the Florida Keys? sounds great, but i'm about 9.5M short.
next idea....