Income needed to buy a home

Contra Costa County, CA

$256,392

a year in household income to buy the typical Contra Costa County home with 10% down.

The monthly math

Typical home value$771,709
Down payment (10%)$77,171
Loan$694,538
Principal and interest (7.40%)$4,809/mo
Property tax (0.78% a year)$498/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$386/mo
Mortgage insurance$289/mo
Total monthly cost$5,982/mo

Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.

What locals earn

Out of reach

The typical household here earns $127,229 a year, 50% of what it takes.

In California

Contra Costa County ranks #43 of 58 for the income a home takes, from least to most.

Easiest to afford in California

CountyTypical homeIncome needed
Modoc County$195,654$64,354
Lassen County$234,567$78,175
Trinity County$257,616$80,870
Siskiyou County$280,435$91,399
Lake County$307,740$101,584

Typical home value from the Zillow Home Value Index, August 2026. Rate is the Freddie Mac 30-year average for Oct 8, 2026. Property tax rate is total taxes paid divided by total home value in the county (U.S. Census, ACS 2020-2024). How it works.