To comfortably afford a median-priced home in the United States as of April 2026, a household typically needs an annual income of approximately . This figure assumes a 20% down payment and standard mortgage terms, though actual requirements vary significantly based on your local market, existing debt, and down payment size. The Core Affordability Rules
: A more conservative "safety net" recommending: how much income is needed to buy a home
The income required to buy a median-priced home changes drastically by location: To comfortably afford a median-priced home in the
Based on current 2026 mortgage rates—averaging approximately for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage—estimated income requirements for common price points are: Home Price Estimated Income Needed (Bank Rule) Estimated Income Needed (Comfort Rule) $250,000 $500,000 $1,000,000 how much income is needed to buy a home