Income needed to buy a home
Howard County, MO
$75,928
a year in household income to buy the typical Howard County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$234,767
Down payment (10%)$23,477
Loan$211,290
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,463/mo
Property tax (0.53% a year)$103/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$117/mo
Mortgage insurance$88/mo
Total monthly cost$1,772/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
A stretch
The typical household here earns $65,938 a year, 87% of what it takes.
In Missouri
Howard County ranks #66 of 113 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Missouri
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Pemiscot County | $87,653 | $29,153 |
| Dunklin County | $95,790 | $31,620 |
| New Madrid County | $102,484 | $33,654 |
| Sullivan County | $106,842 | $34,688 |
| Mississippi County | $104,899 | $34,844 |
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.