Income needed to buy a home
Lea County, NM
$65,849
a year in household income to buy the typical Lea County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$203,827
Down payment (10%)$20,383
Loan$183,444
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,270/mo
Property tax (0.52% a year)$88/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$102/mo
Mortgage insurance$76/mo
Total monthly cost$1,536/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
Right at the edge
The typical household here earns $68,015 a year, 3% more than it takes.
In New Mexico
Lea County ranks #12 of 30 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in New Mexico
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Quay County | $111,921 | $36,249 |
| De Baca County | $112,013 | $36,311 |
| Hidalgo County | $112,940 | $36,329 |
| Union County | $119,082 | $37,556 |
| Roosevelt County | $150,001 | $48,915 |
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.