Income needed to buy a home

Cameron County, TX

$73,871

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$209,484
Down payment (10%)$20,948
Loan$188,536
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,305/mo
Property tax (1.35% a year)$235/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$105/mo
Mortgage insurance$79/mo
Total monthly cost$1,724/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 $52,601 a year, 71% of what it takes.

In Texas

Cameron County ranks #123 of 243 for the income a home takes, from least to most.

Easiest to afford in Texas

CountyTypical homeIncome needed
Cochran County$61,203$20,843
Hardeman County$64,169$21,521
Brooks County$71,429$24,688
Cottle County$78,952$27,274
Foard County$80,527$28,391

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.