Income needed to buy a home
Sterling County, TX
$61,680
a year in household income to buy the typical Sterling County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$183,342
Down payment (10%)$18,334
Loan$165,008
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,142/mo
Property tax (0.89% a year)$136/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$92/mo
Mortgage insurance$69/mo
Total monthly cost$1,439/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
Right at the edge
The typical household here earns $64,954 a year, 5% more than it takes.
In Texas
Sterling County ranks #86 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.