Income needed to buy a home

Dare County, NC

$193,389

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$599,211
Down payment (10%)$59,921
Loan$539,290
Principal and interest (7.40%)$3,734/mo
Property tax (0.51% a year)$254/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$300/mo
Mortgage insurance$225/mo
Total monthly cost$4,512/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 $88,994 a year, 46% of what it takes.

In North Carolina

Dare County ranks #100 of 100 for the income a home takes, from least to most.

Easiest to afford in North Carolina

CountyTypical homeIncome needed
Bertie County$65,550$21,406
Northampton County$108,391$36,039
Washington County$111,892$37,810
Hertford County$119,111$39,952
Halifax County$119,661$40,269

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.