Where can a teacher buy a home? What about a firefighter? With all the talk in the real estate and mortgage industry about affordability, researchers have released a new analysis that should encourage home hunters. The study looks at five common professions: teacher, firefight fighter, construction, lawyer, and foodservice. It analyzed what metro areas would give them the best chance to buy a home, based on the occupation's median income in this field, and the amount typically spent on housing by local homeowners.

For example, the researchers found that Buffalo, NY was the most affordable for lawyers and construction workers, where 95% and 63% of listings are accessible, respectively. On the other hand, firefighters have a better chance in Riverside, CA than anywhere else - virtually every home on the market is considered affordable.

Here's the best/worst list for each of the five professions, including price information and median incomes:

Firefighters

Best: Riverside, CA.  Median annual income: $107,000.  How much they can afford: $653,000.  Affordability rate: 90.94%.

Worst: Charlotte, NC.  Median annual income: $41,000.  How much they can afford: $180,000.  Affordability rate: 44%.

Teachers

Best: Bakersfield, CA.  Median annual income: $61,000.  How much they can afford: $310,000.  Affordability rate: 86%.

Worst: Provo, UT.  Median annual income: $32,000.  How much they can afford: $171,000.  Affordability rate: 24%.

Lawyers

Best: Buffalo, NY.  Median annual income: $89,000.  How much they can afford: $403,000.  Affordability rate: 95%.

Worst: Springfield, MA.  Median annual income: $29,000.  How much they can afford: $165,000.  Affordability rate: 37%.

Construction Workers

Best: Buffalo, NY.  Median annual income: $35,000.  How much they can afford: $159,000.  Affordability rate: 63%.

Worst: Portland, OR.  Median annual income: $27,000.  How much they can afford: $142,000.  Affordability rate: 9%.

Food-Service Workers

Best: Las Vegas, NV.  Median annual income: $25,000.  How much they can afford: $144,000.  Affordability rate: 43%.

Worst: Salt Lake City, UT.  Median annual income: $12,000.  How much they can afford: $61,000.  Affordability rate: 1.5%.