Income needed to buy a home
Essex County, VT
$87,408
a year in household income to buy the typical Essex County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$245,241
Down payment (10%)$24,524
Loan$220,717
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,528/mo
Property tax (1.45% a year)$297/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$123/mo
Mortgage insurance$92/mo
Total monthly cost$2,040/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 $59,294 a year, 68% of what it takes.
In Vermont
Essex County ranks #1 of 14 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Vermont
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Orleans County | $304,080 | $108,119 |
| Caledonia County | $307,827 | $111,397 |
| Rutland County | $316,375 | $114,942 |
| Orange County | $335,087 | $120,400 |
| Franklin County | $367,781 | $130,466 |
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.