Income needed to buy a home
Harris County, TX
$99,796
a year in household income to buy the typical Harris County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$278,518
Down payment (10%)$27,852
Loan$250,666
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,736/mo
Property tax (1.5% a year)$349/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$139/mo
Mortgage insurance$104/mo
Total monthly cost$2,329/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 $74,983 a year, 75% of what it takes.
In Texas
Harris County ranks #193 of 243 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Texas
| County | Typical home | Income 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.