Income needed to buy a home
Suffolk County, MA
$247,165
a year in household income to buy the typical Suffolk County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$750,961
Down payment (10%)$75,096
Loan$675,865
Principal and interest (7.40%)$4,680/mo
Property tax (0.69% a year)$431/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$375/mo
Mortgage insurance$282/mo
Total monthly cost$5,767/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 $95,631 a year, 39% of what it takes.
In Massachusetts
Suffolk County ranks #9 of 14 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Massachusetts
| County | Typical home | Income 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.