Income needed to buy a home
McDowell County, NC
$82,787
a year in household income to buy the typical McDowell County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$257,025
Down payment (10%)$25,703
Loan$231,323
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,602/mo
Property tax (0.49% a year)$105/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$129/mo
Mortgage insurance$96/mo
Total monthly cost$1,932/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
Far off
The typical household here earns $57,168 a year, 69% of what it takes.
In North Carolina
McDowell County ranks #42 of 100 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in North Carolina
| County | Typical home | Income 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.