Income needed to buy a home
Carter County, KY
$49,879
a year in household income to buy the typical Carter County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$155,617
Down payment (10%)$15,562
Loan$140,055
Principal and interest (7.40%)$970/mo
Property tax (0.45% a year)$58/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$78/mo
Mortgage insurance$58/mo
Total monthly cost$1,164/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 $51,235 a year, 3% more than it takes.
In Kentucky
Carter County ranks #44 of 120 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Kentucky
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Knott County | $60,095 | $19,389 |
| Letcher County | $64,327 | $21,138 |
| Breathitt County | $69,724 | $22,874 |
| Harlan County | $73,753 | $24,417 |
| Leslie County | $74,324 | $24,417 |
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.