Income needed to buy a home
Lancaster County, PA
$134,761
a year in household income to buy the typical Lancaster County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$387,893
Down payment (10%)$38,789
Loan$349,104
Principal and interest (7.40%)$2,417/mo
Property tax (1.2% a year)$388/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$194/mo
Mortgage insurance$145/mo
Total monthly cost$3,144/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 $86,959 a year, 65% of what it takes.
In Pennsylvania
Lancaster County ranks #64 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.