Income needed to buy a home
Howard County, MD
$217,708
a year in household income to buy the typical Howard County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$632,563
Down payment (10%)$63,256
Loan$569,307
Principal and interest (7.40%)$3,942/mo
Property tax (1.11% a year)$585/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$316/mo
Mortgage insurance$237/mo
Total monthly cost$5,080/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
Far off
The typical household here earns $149,763 a year, 69% of what it takes.
In Maryland
Howard County ranks #24 of 24 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Maryland
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Allegany County | $158,340 | $53,568 |
| Baltimore City | $183,320 | $64,828 |
| Somerset County | $211,844 | $69,846 |
| Dorchester County | $271,430 | $90,781 |
| Wicomico County | $274,639 | $91,148 |
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.