Income needed to buy a home

Somerset County, ME

$79,284

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$233,245
Down payment (10%)$23,325
Loan$209,921
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,453/mo
Property tax (0.99% a year)$192/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$117/mo
Mortgage insurance$87/mo
Total monthly cost$1,850/mo

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

What locals earn

A stretch

The typical household here earns $58,179 a year, 73% of what it takes.

In Maine

Somerset County ranks #4 of 16 for the income a home takes, from least to most.

Easiest to afford in Maine

CountyTypical homeIncome needed
Aroostook County$169,932$58,212
Washington County$200,966$67,888
Piscataquis County$232,810$77,357
Penobscot County$281,813$96,971
Franklin County$293,779$99,882

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.