[Estimated read time: 5 minutes]
We recently took a look at the value of the most iconic homes from our favorite 90s TV Shows and wondered if they would still be affordable in today's market.
Based on the average salary for their profession and considering all things were equal. Good credit, little to no debt, and enough savings to put 20% down. Would it be possible for them to still comfortably afford that same house today?
List of Shows:
Seinfeld | Roseanne | Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Full House | The Simpsons | Married with Children | Friends | Frasier | Family Matters | The Sopranos
1. Seinfeld Apartment
Location: 129 W 81st St New York, NY
Estimated Rent: $3,000-$3,500
Affordability/Income: $125,000+ year
Owner/Tenant: Jerry Seinfeld
Profession: Stand up Comedian
2022 Average Salary: $45,000-$65,000
From the mind and comedy of Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, the show famously about nothing in particular, has been a fan favorite not only during its original run, but long into its syndication. Starring Seinfeld as a fictionalized version of himself, one has to wonder, would he actually be able to afford his apartment in New York City today. Now, if we’re talking about Seinfeld as he exists in real life, sure. But as an average to above average comedian in the show, he would have probably struggled to make ends meet.
2. Roseanne House
Location: 619 Runnymeade Ave, Evansville IN
Estimated Home Value: $200k - $225k
Affordability/Income: $55,000+ year
Owner: Roseanne & Dan Conner
Profession: Waitress & Contractor
2022 Average Salary: $65,000-$85,000
Roseanne Barr hasn’t been in the good graces of the general public as of late, but once upon a time, she was one of the biggest television stars on air. Roseanne, the show, tells the story of the Conners who are emblematic of an average midwestern family in Chicago dealing with many of the trials and triumphs that come with being below-middle class. Roseanne and her husband Dan float between numerous ventures, with Dan mainly working as a drywall contractor throughout much of the series. The home they live in throughout the duration of the series is a two-story, three-bedroom/two-bath craftsman home in the Chicago suburb of Lanford (actual house is in Evansville IN). Although it would not be impossible for them to afford this home today, the Conner’s may have to stretch to keep up with the monthly mortgage.
3. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air House
Location: 251 N Bristol Ave Los Angeles CA
Estimated Home Value: $7M - $8M
Affordability/Income: $1,250,000+ year
Owner: Philip & Vivian Banks
Profession: Judge & Retired Doctor
2022 Average Salary: $125,000-$350,000
Few shows have as much of a cross-generational appreciation as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Just about everyone knows the theme song and the premise of the show. Uncle Phil is perhaps the most respected and loved “father figure”, serving as a mentor and paternal role model for not just his own children, but for his nephew Will. The beautiful five-bedroom mansion located in Bel-Air would have come with a multi-million-dollar price tag, and you’d be forgiven to think that it would be easy for Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv (a retired doctor) to afford the home. They seemed very sophisticated and may have made some very smart financial decisions throughout their career(s). So there is a strong possibility they had the funds for a hefty downpayment. However, this estate could have been a stretch for the 'Banks' today.
4. Full House Home
Location: 1709 Broaderick St San Francisco CA
Estimated Home Value: $5M - $6M
Affordability/Income: $900,000+ year
Owner: Danny Tanner
Profession: TV Morning Show Host
2022 Average Salary: $45,000-$65,000
The beloved family series Full House featured some of the biggest stars of the day and two of the biggest up-and-comers in Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. The show followed the family life of TV Host Danny Tanner, comedian Uncle Joey, musician Uncle Jesse, and TV news host and Jesse’s wife Rebecca in San Francisco. The Victorian house that was shown in the show would not have been cheap when the show was filmed but would likely fetch a hefty sum today! With how inconsistent Joey and Jesse found work and being completely realistic about how much money Danny and Rebecca could have been making, it’s safe to say that they would have been highly unlikely to afford the three-bedroom, four-bath home today.
5. The Simpsons
Location: 742 Evergreen Terrace Springfield OR
Estimated Home Value: $440K-$460K
Affordability/Income: $95,000+ year
Owner: Homer & Marge Simpson
Profession: Nuclear Safety Inspector
2022 Average Salary: $55,000-$75,000
Nuclear safety inspector Homer Simpson and his family have provided laughs and entertainment for Americans since being first introduced on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987. With three children and a stay-at-home wife, Homer would have needed to be pulling in more than the few hundred dollars per month his paycheck showed in a 1996 episode to afford the family’s four-bedroom, two-bath home. Fast forward to today, if Abraham Simpson (Homer's dad), helped with the down payment just as he did years ago. There is a chance they could afford the Simpsons iconic home but it would have been a stretch.
6. Married With Children
Location: 9764 Jeopardy Ln Chicago IL
Estimated Home Value: $500K-$550k
Affordability/Income: $110,000+ year
Owner: Al & Peggy Bundy
Profession: Shoe Salesman
2022 Average Salary: $45,000-$65,000
One of the many running jokes through Married with Children’s run was how little money Al Bundy made as a shoe salesman. So, one may wonder if the Bundy family of four would be able to afford their mortgage payments in the 1980s, when mortgage interest rates were spectacularly high. If you consider that Al was making around d $12,000 per year as a shoe salesman and the estimated monthly mortgage of his home in Deerfield, Illinois would be somewhere in the $1600 range, well, you can do the math.
7. Friends (Monica's Apartment)
Location: 90 Bedford St, New York, NY
Estimated Rent: $6,000 - $7,000
Affordability/Income: $240,000+ year
Owner/Tenant: Monica Geller & Rachel Green
Profession: Chef & Waitress
2022 Average Salary: $55,000-$75,000
One of the most beloved shows of its time, Friends brought together a loveable cast of New York City 20-somethings trying to simply figure things out. A common backdrop of the show was the apartment shared by Monica and Rachel, the former being an aspiring and then professional chef, and the latter being a waitress. The question that begs to ask is how the two characters would be able to afford their place, considering it would go for just under a few million in today’s market and each character would need to make well into the six-figures per year in salary. The show explained that Monica inherited a rent-controlled lease from their grandmother, but considering the location and frequency of such leases, the probability that the two characters would actually have such a phenomenal place is quite low.
8. Frasier's Condo
Location: Elliot Bay Towers Apt 1901 Seattle WA
Estimated Home Value: $3.5M - $4M
Affordability/Income: $630,000+ year
Owner: Frasier Crane
Profession: Radio Psychiatrist
2022 Average Salary: $55,000-$75,000
Even as a renowned radio psychiatrist with a popular radio show, Frasier would have to earn serious dough to afford his lavish penthouse apartment. It had a gorgeous, unobstructed view of the Seattle skyline and the Space Needle. A home more fitting for a CEO executive. While this fictional condo would have been much more affordable in the ’90s, a similar Downtown penthouse in Seattle today could easily set you back $3M-$4M.
9. Family Matters House
Location: 1516 W. Wrightwood Chicago IL
Estimated Home Value: $800k - $850k
Affordability/Income: $160,000+ year
Owner: Carl Winslow
Profession: Police Officer Captain
2022 Average Salary: $95,000-$135,000
Unfortunately, in 2017 the word first came out that the City of Chicago approved the demolition of this once iconic home. Just a couple of years later, they had already completed a three-story condo building to take its place. If you were a kid growing up in the 90's, you looked forward to catching this show on the TGIF lineup. The last recorded sale of Winslow's residence was $798,000 in 2016. Fast forward to today and increased home prices. There is a good chance this once iconic TGIF home would go for $800k+. A very steep price tag for someone in Carl Winslow's position.
10. The Sopranos House
Location: 14 Aspen Drive, North Caldwell NJ
Estimated Home Value: $2M - $3M
Affordability/Income: $370,000+ year
Owner: Tony & Carmela Soprano
Profession: Waste Management (Acting Boss of DiMeo Crime Family)
2022 Average Salary: Unknown
Arguably the greatest series ever made, The Sopranos follows acting boss Tony Soprano through his struggles balancing his mental health, familial obligations, and role as the leader of a criminal organization. Being one of the most iconic shows of any era, the Soprano home is as recognizable as they come and absolutely fitting for a man of Tony’s stature. The Soprano home boasts four bedrooms, 4.5 baths, two two-car garages, a guest house, and is situated on nearly 1.5 acres in New Jersey. A house like that comes with a hefty price tag, but make no mistake, a man who works in 'sanitation' like Tony does would have had little issue making those payments.
BONUS: 1990s Christmas Movie Favorite
Home Alone House
Location: 671 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka IL
Estimated Home Value: $2M - $2.2M
Affordability/Income: $370,000+ year
Owner: Peter & Kate McCallister
Profession: Businessman & Designer
2022 Average Salary: $150,000-$300,000
The beloved Christmas film about Kevin McCallister and his efforts to key the “Wet Bandits” at bay features a beautiful colonial owned by Kevin’s mother and father. What exactly do the two parents do where they can not only finance a huge family vacation to Paris but also a beautiful five-bedroom, four-bath brick colonial in a quaint Chicago suburb? Well, the film touches upon Kevin’s father being a businessman and his mother being a designer. Although there isn’t much more known about either’s professional details, there is a slight possibility they could afford this home in today's market. Especially if they had a strong down payment.
Final Thoughts
Not only would it be hard for these 1990's characters to afford the monthly payments on these iconic homes. Most Americans today would struggle locking in one of these homes. For 2020, the US Census reported the median household income was $64,994. Recent reports show that it has increased and is now around $76,000.
Posted by Nathan Garrett on
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