Income needed to buy a home

Smith County, TN

$100,127

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$313,012
Down payment (10%)$31,301
Loan$281,711
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,951/mo
Property tax (0.43% a year)$112/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$157/mo
Mortgage insurance$117/mo
Total monthly cost$2,336/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 $66,293 a year, 66% of what it takes.

In Tennessee

Smith County ranks #66 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.