Buying power dropped most in Milwaukee and Houston, while only 6 of the 50 largest metros—including Cleveland—saw any gains. States where buyers have been hit hardestMilwaukee, Wisconsin Houston, Texas Baltimore, Maryland New York, New York Kansas City, MissouriWhere has buying power grown the most? The other side:Meanwhile, only six of the 50 largest U.S. metros saw buying power increase since 2019. Pandemic boomtowns like Phoenix, Tampa and Austin have also seen a slight boost in buying power thanks to rising wages. Richmond, Virginia and Indianapolis, Indiana also made it into the top six states where buying power has improved.