Income needed to buy a home
Dauphin County, PA
$98,086
a year in household income to buy the typical Dauphin County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$279,969
Down payment (10%)$27,997
Loan$251,972
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,745/mo
Property tax (1.28% a year)$299/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$140/mo
Mortgage insurance$105/mo
Total monthly cost$2,289/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 $76,242 a year, 78% of what it takes.
In Pennsylvania
Dauphin County ranks #47 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.