Income needed to buy a home

Roanoke City, VA

$74,773

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$220,971
Down payment (10%)$22,097
Loan$198,874
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,377/mo
Property tax (0.95% a year)$174/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$110/mo
Mortgage insurance$83/mo
Total monthly cost$1,745/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 $55,378 a year, 74% of what it takes.

In Virginia

Roanoke City ranks #38 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.