Income needed to buy a home
Worcester County, MA
$173,889
a year in household income to buy the typical Worcester County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$498,010
Down payment (10%)$49,801
Loan$448,209
Principal and interest (7.40%)$3,103/mo
Property tax (1.25% a year)$518/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$249/mo
Mortgage insurance$187/mo
Total monthly cost$4,057/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 $95,939 a year, 55% of what it takes.
In Massachusetts
Worcester County ranks #5 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 |
| Bristol County | $549,102 | $187,414 |
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.