Income needed to buy a home
Columbia County, PA
$83,978
a year in household income to buy the typical Columbia County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$245,148
Down payment (10%)$24,515
Loan$220,633
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,528/mo
Property tax (1.06% a year)$217/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$123/mo
Mortgage insurance$92/mo
Total monthly cost$1,959/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 $64,644 a year, 77% of what it takes.
In Pennsylvania
Columbia County ranks #40 of 67 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Pennsylvania
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Cameron County | $85,806 | $30,148 |
| McKean County | $112,351 | $38,744 |
| Cambria County | $112,455 | $39,045 |
| Jefferson County | $122,710 | $41,085 |
| Forest County | $135,032 | $45,114 |
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.