Income needed to buy a home
Merrick County, NE
$78,486
a year in household income to buy the typical Merrick County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$230,293
Down payment (10%)$23,029
Loan$207,264
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,435/mo
Property tax (1.01% a year)$195/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$115/mo
Mortgage insurance$86/mo
Total monthly cost$1,831/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 $68,354 a year, 87% of what it takes.
In Nebraska
Merrick County ranks #53 of 89 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Nebraska
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Nuckolls County | $123,561 | $41,272 |
| Richardson County | $121,678 | $41,812 |
| Furnas County | $121,746 | $42,001 |
| Rock County | $141,726 | $45,882 |
| Webster County | $139,497 | $49,087 |
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.