Here's How Much Money You Need To Make To Buy A Home (2024)

Here's How Much Money You Need To Make To Buy A Home (1)

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In most of the U.S., a household income of $150,000 means you’re doing pretty well. In San Francisco, it’s probably not enough to buy a home.

A report released Monday by mortgage and loan site HSH.com looks at what salary families in 27 metro areas would need to afford the local median home price, including principal, interest, taxes and insurance.

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The report assumes a buyer’s down payment is 20 percent and uses the lending standard that a monthly home payment shouldn’t be more than 28 percent of income. It relies on the National Association of Realtors’ quarterly data for single family home prices, and excludes condos and co-ops.

According to the data, home prices have gone up since the first quarter of the year in every metro area except three, all in Florida: Tampa, Orlando and Miami. Pittsburgh was the most affordable metro area, with a prospective buyer only needing to make $32,400 to afford a typical home.

Here's How Much Money You Need To Make To Buy A Home (2)

The San Francisco metro area requires the highest salary, $162,000. If a buyer wanted to put down 10 percent instead of 20 percent, they’d need to make over $196,000.

And while there have been signs of housing costs leveling off in the area, the HSH report shows prices increasing nearly 15 percent from the first quarter of the year, to a median price over $885,000.

Of course, the dollar amounts for home price and income level look very different depending on where you live: The median household income is $40,000 in the city of Pittsburgh, compared to over $78,000 in San Francisco.

But costs are still spiraling out of control in the Bay Area (and several other cities), putting homeownership out of reach for all but the wealthiest residents.

In San Francisco County, only 13 percent of households can afford a median-priced home, according to a report this month.

Though more people are renting, it’s not necessarily a more affordable option: Rent increases have continued to outpace income growth, and around the country, nearly half of renters are spending more on housing than they can afford.

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Kate Abbey-Lambertz covers sustainable cities, housing and inequality. Tips? Feedback? Send an email or follow her on Twitter.

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Here's How Much Money You Need To Make To Buy A Home (3)

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Here's How Much Money You Need To Make To Buy A Home (2024)

FAQs

Here's How Much Money You Need To Make To Buy A Home? ›

Based on the current interest rate of 7.22% over a 30-year mortgage, buyers today would need to earn an annual income of roughly $120,000, plus a 10% down payment, to afford a home, according to the Clever Real Estate report.

Can I afford a house on 70k a year? ›

One rule of thumb is that the cost of your home should not exceed three times your income. On a salary of $70k, that would be $210,000. This is only one way to estimate your budget, however, and it assumes that you don't have a lot of other debts.

How much money do I need to comfortably buy a house? ›

Zillow says seven metropolitan areas in the U.S., including four in California, require homebuyers to have an annual income of $200,000 or more to comfortably afford a home. Here's where and the annual income needed to comfortably afford a home: San Jose - $454,296. San Francisco - $339,864.

What is the six figure income needed to buy a house in 22 states? ›

To afford a median-priced home of $402,343, Americans need an annual income of $110,871, up 46 percent since the start of 2020. Americans must earn at least $100,000 annually to afford a median-priced home in 22 states and the District of Columbia.

How much do you need to make to afford a $1 M home? ›

To determine how much money you need to earn annually to afford a one million dollar home based on the 2.5 times your income rule, you simply need to divide $1 million by 2.5. So, this rule suggests you need to earn $400,000 annually to afford a $1 million home.

Can I afford a 300K house on a 50k salary? ›

A person who makes $50,000 a year might be able to afford a house worth anywhere from $180,000 to nearly $300,000. That's because your annual salary isn't the only variable that determines your home buying budget. You also have to consider your credit score, current debts, mortgage rates, and many other factors.

What credit score is needed to buy a $300K house? ›

The required credit score to buy a $300K house typically ranges from 580 to 720 or higher, depending on the type of loan. For an FHA loan, the minimum credit score is usually around 580.

How much house can I afford if I make $36,000 a year? ›

On a salary of $36,000 per year, you can afford a house priced around $100,000-$110,000 with a monthly payment of just over $1,000. This assumes you have no other debts you're paying off, but also that you haven't been able to save much for a down payment.

How much house for $3,500 a month? ›

A $3,500 per month mortgage in the United States, based on our calculations, will put you in an above-average price range in many cities, or let you at least get a foot in the door in high cost of living areas. That price point is $550,000.

Can you buy a house with $30,000 salary? ›

There is not a specific minimum income to qualify for a mortgage and there are various loan types and programs designed to help eligible buyers cover a down payment or even closing costs.

Can I buy a house if I make $20000 a year? ›

HUD, nonprofit organizations, and private lenders can provide additional paths to homeownership for people who make less than $25,000 per year with down payment assistance, rent-to-own options, and proprietary loan options.

Is owning a house at 22 good? ›

Key Takeaways:

Most first-time homebuyers make a purchase when they are 35. Buying a house at a young age can mean building equity young and getting a home paid off sooner. Purchasing a house in your 20s or earlier can also mean you feel trapped, unable to move at a moment's notice.

Can I buy a house if I make 75k a year? ›

Start with the 28/36 rule

If you're making $75,000 each year, your monthly earnings come out to $6,250. To meet the 28 piece of the 28/36 rule, that means your monthly mortgage payment should not exceed $1,750. And for the 36 part, your total monthly debts should not come to more than $2,250.

How do so many people afford million dollar homes? ›

For many, the key to affording a million-dollar home lies in the equity of their current property. Homeowners can tap into this equity through a sale or a home equity line of credit (HELOC), providing a substantial down payment for their next purchase.

How much is the monthly mortgage on a $1 M home? ›

Monthly payments for a $1,000,000 mortgage
Interest rateMonthly payment (15 year)Monthly payment (30 year)
6.75%$8,849.09$6,485.98
7.00%$8,988.28$6,653.02
7.25%$9,128.63$6,821.76
7.50%$9,270.12$6,992.15
5 more rows

What house can I afford on 100K a year? ›

With a $100,000 salary, you could potentially afford a house worth between $225,000 to $300,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a broad range, and your specific circ*mstances will determine where you fall within it.

Can you live comfortably on $70,000 a year? ›

In high-cost areas or for larger families, this salary might not suffice for a comfortable living. Nationally, $70,000 is above the average salary, but personal financial goals and living costs are key to determining its sufficiency.

How much house can I afford if I make $75000 a year? ›

With a $75,000 annual salary, you could potentially afford a house priced between $225,000 to $300,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions.

How much a hour is 70k a year? ›

$70,000 a year is how much an hour? If you make $70,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $33.65.

How much house can I afford if I make $80000 a year? ›

With an $80,000 annual salary, you could potentially afford a house priced between $240,000 to $320,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a broad range, and your specific circ*mstances will determine where you fall within it.

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