Income needed to buy a home

DeKalb County, TN

$94,848

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$299,450
Down payment (10%)$29,945
Loan$269,505
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,866/mo
Property tax (0.34% a year)$85/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$150/mo
Mortgage insurance$112/mo
Total monthly cost$2,213/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 $53,153 a year, 56% of what it takes.

In Tennessee

DeKalb County ranks #63 of 95 for the income a home takes, from least to most.

Easiest to afford in Tennessee

CountyTypical homeIncome needed
Lake County$114,150$37,705
Lauderdale County$141,988$46,642
Hardeman County$163,972$53,330
Chester County$168,713$54,432
Obion County$169,585$54,635

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.