Income needed to buy a home

Starr County, TX

$50,618

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$145,428
Down payment (10%)$14,543
Loan$130,885
Principal and interest (7.40%)$906/mo
Property tax (1.22% a year)$148/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$73/mo
Mortgage insurance$55/mo
Total monthly cost$1,181/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 $37,639 a year, 74% of what it takes.

In Texas

Starr County ranks #53 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.