How Much Income Do You Need to Buy a House in Every US State? (2026 Data)
Based on the latest 2026 median home prices, state-specific property taxes, and a 6.5% interest rate, here is the exact salary you need to comfortably afford a home.
How We Calculated This
- Home Price: Q1 2026 Median Listing Price for the specific State.
- Down Payment: 10% (assuming an FHA or low-down Conventional loan).
- Interest Rate: 6.5% 30-Year Fixed.
- Property Taxes & Insurance: State-specific averages (e.g., Texas has 2.2% taxes, Hawaii has 0.3%).
- Income Requirement Rule: The "28% Front-End DTI". The total monthly PITI payment cannot exceed 28% of the buyer's gross monthly income.
The 5 Most Expensive States
| State | Median Home Price | Required Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hawaii | $850,000 | $215,000 |
| 2. California | $780,000 | $195,000 |
| 3. Massachusetts | $630,000 | $165,000 |
| 4. Washington | $610,000 | $158,000 |
| 5. Colorado | $590,000 | $152,000 |
The 5 Most Affordable States
| State | Median Home Price | Required Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1. West Virginia | $165,000 | $48,000 |
| 2. Mississippi | $180,000 | $52,000 |
| 3. Arkansas | $195,000 | $56,000 |
| 4. Oklahoma | $205,000 | $59,000 |
| 5. Kentucky | $215,000 | $61,000 |
The Texas & Florida "Tax Trap"
A common mistake buyers make when moving to states without a state income tax is critically underestimating the property taxes and insurance.
- Texas: A $400,000 home might look cheap on paper, but Texas property taxes can exceed 2.2% in many counties. You need roughly $110,000/year in salary to comfortably afford a median Texas home due to the massive monthly tax escrow. Verify this with our Texas Mortgage Calculator.
- Florida: Florida home prices exploded during the pandemic, but the real killer is Homeowners Insurance. With premiums routinely hitting $4,000 to $6,000 a year for coastal properties, you need roughly $125,000/year to safely carry a median Florida mortgage. Verify with our Florida Mortgage Calculator.
Want to see exactly what you qualify for based on your personal income? Run your numbers through our Affordability Calculator.