Miami renters earned 40% of the income they would need to afford a starter home, according to an analysis of October data by real estate website Point2Homes, Axios' Sami Sparber writes.

• Researchers considered "starter homes" properties valued in the lower one-third of all available homes for sale.

Why it matters: Higher mortgage rates and housing costs are keeping homeownership out of reach for many first-time buyers.

By the numbers: Renters in Miami earned a household income of $36,532 on average, while the income needed to cover a mortgage was $92,227, according to the study.

• In September, a typical Miami starter home cost $356,643, the study found, analyzing Zillow data.

Zoom out: Following interest rate hikes this year, renter households in 15 of the 50 largest U.S. cities made less than half the income needed to buy one of the cheapest homes in town, per the analysis.

The big picture: Across the U.S., the share of first-time home buyers has shrunk to a record low, according to the National Association of Realtors.

• First-time buyers made up 26% of all buyers in 2022, down from 34% last year, the group found.

Go deeper: 3 reasons it's getting harder for renters to buy

New Year's Eve is quickly approaching. Position your party plans in place, people!

For the stay-at-homes

• Miley Cyrus will be hosting her New Year's Eve special from Miami again, with guests including Dolly Parton, Sia, Latto and Rae Sremmurd. Admission isn't public, but you can watch on NBC, starting at 10:30pm.
• Cocoon yourself on one of Virgin Voyages' adults-only ships and ring in the new year from the Caribbean during a five- or six-night adventure. Cabins were available from $2,700 when we last checked.

For the kids

• Miami Children's Museum hosts a Noon Year's Eve celebration Saturday morning with a countdown and a massive confetti balloon drop, plus a theater troupe and giveaways. Awww! Admission: $24.
• Big Orange (Miami's version of The Ball) drops at Bayfront Park, where admission is free and kids are welcome. VIP packages that guarantee seating will cost $249 and up.

For the partiers

• Dreamland is an LGBTQ+ festival that spans four days and five parties. Prices vary, but individual party tickets start at $69.
• The Wharf Miami hosts a Captain's Ball with music, dancing and views of Miami's skyline. Tickets: $35+.

More NYE events

Argentina won the World Cup yesterday — and Miami Beach went mad.

What happened: The streets of North Beach resembled a sea of blue and white, and police again shut down a stretch of 73rd Street near Manolo, the Argentine restaurant that has become a de facto gathering place for fans of the Albiceleste.

👋 Martin's thought bubble: I shared a beer with an Argentine fan who was spending his first World Cup away from his country and later celebrated in the street with my mom, who — like my dad — was born in Argentina.

• My whole family was a nervous wreck during the game, but celebrating with our compatriots afterward was such an amazing moment.

📺 Over the weekend, the Dolphins lost to the Bills 32-29. Miami (8-6) is still in the playoff picture with three games left in the regular season.

• The Heat beat the Spurs 111-101 Saturday in Mexico City to notch Miami's fourth win in a row and move to 16-15 on the year.

⚽️ Miami has swiftly become the "premier holiday destination for the world's most famous names in soccer," The Athletic declared. Why? Our city offers vacation fun and lets soccer stars keep a low profile.

✈️ Mayor Francis Suarez attended a semifinal match at the World Cup in Qatar, where he hobnobbed with David Beckham. Now the Miami New Times wants to know: Who paid for the trip?

🏠 Get a look at the construction of Ivanka Trump and Tom Brady's homes in Billionaires' Bunker, aka Indian Creek Village. Business Insider got to tour the exclusive private island.

💰 With housing costs skyrocketing, Miami-Dade is expanding its Emergency Rental Assistance Program so that people earning up to $95,000 annually can qualify. (WSVN)

👠 A 47-year-old fitness studio owner from Miami is one of the contestants on TLC's new buzzed-about show "MILF Manor," in which "mature women" seek romance with younger men. (People)

💼 Check out who's hiring around the city.

1. Director, Data Strategy & Customer Experience- Interval International at Marriott Vacations Worldwide.
2. Sr. Manager, Operations Equipment, PLK, US&C at Restaurant Brands International.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Imagine hopping on a train from Miami to Fort Lauderdale for a holiday party, then getting dropped off near Aventura Mall for a movie.

What's happening: The private rail company Brightline is adding new stations on Wednesday in Aventura and Boca Raton to connect riders to existing stations in downtown Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

Why it matters: Miami is notorious for its lack of public transportation options, but Brightline is making progress toward connecting locations in South Florida.

How it works: Riders can book a train online or at the station, choosing between Smart and the more expensive Premium tickets.

• Both come with free WiFi, but Premium seats also offer free drinks (alcoholic or otherwise) and snacks, extra leg room and a complimentary Tesla ride from the station to your destination within a 5-mile radius.
• The express train service reportedly reaches top speeds of about 80 mph. It can get you from Miami to Aventura in 17 mins.
• Officials are testing trains with maximum speeds of 110 mph.

More details: Prices and schedule

It's lovely weather for a train ride together.

Brightline is hosting its fourth annual Polar Express Train Ride from MiamiCentral Station through Dec. 29.

• Actors will recreate the children's story during the one-hour ride — starting at $45 per child, $50 per adult.

Plus: Rides include hot chocolate, cookies and holiday caroling.