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It is becoming clear that, even outside the big cities, housing is becoming less affordable.

Affordability -- a measure of the ability of the average household to buy a home at current mortgage rates -- has long been an issue for low-income buyers. But in some markets, such as Salinas, Calif., New York City and Honolulu, prices have increased so rapidly that buyers with healthier incomes are feeling the squeeze as well. And the number of such markets could climb if mortgage rates rise this year, as many economists expect.