Income needed to buy a home
Rutherford County, NC
$70,893
a year in household income to buy the typical Rutherford County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$216,947
Down payment (10%)$21,695
Loan$195,252
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,352/mo
Property tax (0.62% a year)$112/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$108/mo
Mortgage insurance$81/mo
Total monthly cost$1,654/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 $51,410 a year, 73% of what it takes.
In North Carolina
Rutherford County ranks #26 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.