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Salary Needed to Buy a Home by State (2026)

The income you need to buy a home differs by a factor of 4x between the most and least affordable states. California requires over $200,000/yr for a median-priced home at 20% down; Mississippi requires under $55,000. The gap matters because lenders use a 28% front-end debt-to-income rule — meaning your gross income must be at least 3.5x your monthly PITI payment. Select your state for the full income math, county breakdown, and where the affordability gap is widest.

Income requirements calculated using Zillow median home prices (May 2026), Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year rates, and the HUD 28% front-end DTI guideline. PITI includes principal, interest, estimated property tax, and homeowners insurance.