Salary Requirements To Buy A House May 2026

: Homebuyers need to earn at least $100,000 annually to afford a median-priced home in 22 states and Washington, D.C.. Income Requirements by Region

: Estimates for the income needed to afford a typical home range from $114,000 to $124,817 . salary requirements to buy a house

: A median home now requires a monthly payment of approximately $9,500 before taxes (including mortgage, taxes, and insurance) to stay within the recommended "30% rule". : Homebuyers need to earn at least $100,000

New York. Median home list price in July: $671,500. Median income: $85,657. Minimum income to afford median-priced home: $176,994. Realtor.com New York

The "salary gap" has widened significantly, as the current median U.S. household income of ~$80,600 is roughly than what is recommended for a median-priced home.

To afford the national median-priced home of , the typical U.S. household now needs an annual income of approximately $114,000 . This requirement has surged by roughly 70% since 2019 , when a salary of $67,000 was often sufficient. National Affordability Benchmarks (2025–2026)

Salaries needed vary drastically based on local real estate markets and property tax rates. How Much You Need To Earn in Every State To Buy a Home