Income needed to buy a home

Kent County, MI

$121,586

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$355,414
Down payment (10%)$35,541
Loan$319,873
Principal and interest (7.40%)$2,215/mo
Property tax (1.05% a year)$311/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$178/mo
Mortgage insurance$133/mo
Total monthly cost$2,837/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 $82,631 a year, 68% of what it takes.

In Michigan

Kent County ranks #74 of 83 for the income a home takes, from least to most.

Easiest to afford in Michigan

CountyTypical homeIncome needed
Luce County$131,256$43,599
Gogebic County$134,710$46,907
Ontonagon County$136,632$47,117
Oscoda County$146,367$48,681
Iron County$154,720$52,907

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.