Income needed to buy a home
Essex County, NJ
$252,450
a year in household income to buy the typical Essex County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$664,986
Down payment (10%)$66,499
Loan$598,487
Principal and interest (7.40%)$4,144/mo
Property tax (2.1% a year)$1,165/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$332/mo
Mortgage insurance$249/mo
Total monthly cost$5,891/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 $80,789 a year, 32% of what it takes.
In New Jersey
Essex County ranks #17 of 21 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in New Jersey
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland County | $279,277 | $105,185 |
| Salem County | $301,049 | $115,245 |
| Camden County | $359,108 | $141,049 |
| Atlantic County | $385,559 | $143,011 |
| Gloucester County | $385,868 | $150,567 |
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.