Income needed to buy a home

Lehigh County, PA

$129,891

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$365,791
Down payment (10%)$36,579
Loan$329,212
Principal and interest (7.40%)$2,279/mo
Property tax (1.42% a year)$431/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$183/mo
Mortgage insurance$137/mo
Total monthly cost$3,031/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 $80,079 a year, 62% of what it takes.

In Pennsylvania

Lehigh County ranks #61 of 67 for the income a home takes, from least to most.

Easiest to afford in Pennsylvania

CountyTypical homeIncome 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.