Income needed to buy a home
Buena Vista County, IA
$66,724
a year in household income to buy the typical Buena Vista County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$188,912
Down payment (10%)$18,891
Loan$170,021
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,177/mo
Property tax (1.36% a year)$214/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$94/mo
Mortgage insurance$71/mo
Total monthly cost$1,557/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
Right at the edge
The typical household here earns $71,719 a year, 7% more than it takes.
In Iowa
Buena Vista County ranks #48 of 99 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Iowa
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Pocahontas County | $101,899 | $34,888 |
| Appanoose County | $118,881 | $41,110 |
| Lee County | $125,776 | $44,079 |
| Wapello County | $131,712 | $46,563 |
| Wright County | $136,258 | $47,713 |
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.