Income needed to buy a home

Sonoma County, CA

$257,257

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$785,115
Down payment (10%)$78,512
Loan$706,604
Principal and interest (7.40%)$4,892/mo
Property tax (0.65% a year)$423/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$393/mo
Mortgage insurance$294/mo
Total monthly cost$6,003/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 $104,674 a year, 41% of what it takes.

In California

Sonoma County ranks #44 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.