Income needed to buy a home

Wilkes County, NC

$73,764

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$226,949
Down payment (10%)$22,695
Loan$204,254
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,414/mo
Property tax (0.57% a year)$108/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$113/mo
Mortgage insurance$85/mo
Total monthly cost$1,721/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 $51,721 a year, 70% of what it takes.

In North Carolina

Wilkes County ranks #29 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.