The median home price in Dallas-Fort Worth was 4.4 times the region's median income last year, according to a Harvard University analysis.

Why it matters: Home prices continue to outpace incomes nationwide, putting the American dream of owning a home out of reach. 

• U.S. homebuyers are now the oldest on record, with the median age of first-timers reaching 38.

The big picture: In 2023, the national median sales price for existing single-family homes was 4.9 times the median household income, researchers from Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies found.

• That ratio dipped slightly from 2022 as home price growth slowed, but it remains historically high, per the analysis.
• Increasing taxes and insurance costs, plus elevated interest rates, have driven up the cost of homeownership.

The latest: The current median home price in Dallas County is $368,000, which is 2.4% higher than a year ago, per Redfin research. 

• In Collin County, it's $506,000 — a 6.5% increase since last year. 

Zoom in: The median income in Dallas-Fort Worth falls below what is needed to buy a home. 

• A D-FW resident or household must have an annual income of at least $116,000 to be able to afford a $377,700 house, the region's median home price, per the Harvard analysis. 
• That's a $3,000 monthly payment. 

Flashback: The median home price was only 2.6 times the median income in D-FW in 1994. 

• Median home prices didn't triple the D-FW median income until 2013. 

By the numbers: The median household income in D-FW was $87,000 in 2023, per U.S. Census Bureau data. 

• Collin County's median household income of $119,000 was the highest in the region. 
• Dallas County's $74,000 was the lowest. 

Renting vs. owning

Millions of uninsured Texans likely qualify for health insurance through Marketplace and other government programs, according to the public policy nonprofit Texas 2036.

Why it matters: Texas has the country's largest share of Americans under 65 without health insurance, Census Bureau data shows.

• Nearly 19% of Texans were uninsured as of 2022, nearly double the national uninsured rate of 9.5%.

The latest: Open enrollment is underway through Jan. 15 for Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage.

• About 2 million uninsured Texans, or roughly 40% of the state's uninsured population, could qualify for free coverage through ACA plans or kids programs like Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), per Texas 2036.

Zoom in: The nonprofit analyzed current plans to find monthly premium prices in Texas' 10 most populous counties for a single, 40-year-old person earning $37,650 annually.

• In Dallas County, bronze plans are $5 monthly, gold plans cost $89.57 and silver plans are $123.71, per Texas 2036.
• In Tarrant County, bronze plans are $0 monthly, gold plans cost $68 and silver plans are $113.70.

Zoom out: Texas' Marketplace enrollment has more than tripled since 2020, the fastest growth of any state, per the Kaiser Family Foundation.

• Last year, more Texans than ever enrolled in coverage through Marketplace.

How the plans work

An El Centro College pastry student is going to show off his baking skills on the Food Network's "Christmas Cookie Challenge."

Driving the news: Nelson Martinez, a 23-year-old baker from Princeton, will be featured on the show at 8pm Thursday.

• The show will stream on HBO Max and Discovery Plus the next day.

How it works: Four bakers compete in two rounds of holiday-themed cookie contests.

• The winner gets $10,000 and the golden ornament trophy.

Catch up quick: Martinez started baking at 10, and by middle school, he was selling cake pops to classmates.

• At 14, he launched Heavenly's Confectionery, which he still runs.

Fun fact: He uses vanilla from El Salvador, a nod to his grandmother's sweet bread.

What they're saying: Martinez got an Instagram message from a casting scout, which he thought was a scam at first. Four application rounds later, he learned he'd be on Season 8.

• "Being on the show is a big deal because it's something I've dreamed of, but I didn't think I was talented enough," Martinez says. "Hearing the judges say my cookies were amazing made me appreciate myself more."

What's next: Martinez plans to continue growing his business while finishing his degree.

🛒 Albertsons Companies decided not to open a Tom Thumb in Dallas' Red Bird area. The city had awarded a $5.8 million incentive package for the project. (WFAA)

🩺 Children's Health has opened a new medical tower in Plano, with 212 beds and six new specialty care programs. (Star Local Media)

💰 Texas' new higher education commissioner said expanding college financial aid will help Texas address its workforce needs. (Texas Tribune)

Hop on the train for this week's taco adventure to a taqueria inspired by Mexico City.

State of play: Mexico City native Sergio Quijano and Peruvian-American chef Michael Garcia opened El Metro this year in northwest Dallas, filling a need for nice cocktails and good food. 

• The eatery regularly roasts a whole pig. 

Vibe check: For a casual taco joint, El Metro is surprisingly charming. There's a full transit map of Mexico City above the kitchen and a mural above the bar. 

• The space is vastly different from the dark dive bar it replaced — and offers better cocktails.

What to order: Al pastor trompo and chicken tinga tacos 

• The chicken tinga is technically on the menu as a tostada, but you can still ask for it as a taco.

Pro tip: Get the elote ribs — roasted corn topped with chile crema. 

Where: Tacos El Metro, 3720 Walnut Hill Lane #117

Cost: $2.50 for most tacos 

Six-word review: Affordable, flavorful Mexico City street tacos 

🤔 Know a great taco we should try? Hit reply and let us know.