Income needed to buy a home

Portsmouth City, VA

$90,867

a year in household income to buy the typical Portsmouth City home with 10% down.

The monthly math

Typical home value$268,363
Down payment (10%)$26,836
Loan$241,527
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,672/mo
Property tax (0.95% a year)$213/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$134/mo
Mortgage insurance$101/mo
Total monthly cost$2,120/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 $60,491 a year, 67% of what it takes.

In Virginia

Portsmouth City ranks #52 of 133 for the income a home takes, from least to most.

Easiest to afford in Virginia

CountyTypical homeIncome needed
Buchanan County$80,245$25,804
Martinsville City$110,964$36,993
Dickenson County$117,295$37,872
Lee County$116,546$38,022
Covington City$115,505$38,726

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.