Income needed to buy a home

Middlesex County, MA

$277,174

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$814,047
Down payment (10%)$81,405
Loan$732,642
Principal and interest (7.40%)$5,073/mo
Property tax (1.01% a year)$682/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$407/mo
Mortgage insurance$305/mo
Total monthly cost$6,467/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 $130,847 a year, 47% of what it takes.

In Massachusetts

Middlesex County ranks #12 of 14 for the income a home takes, from least to most.

Easiest to afford in Massachusetts

CountyTypical homeIncome needed
Hampden County$354,728$125,912
Franklin County$373,782$131,487
Berkshire County$391,869$135,149
Hampshire County$454,514$160,439
Worcester County$498,010$173,889

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.