Income needed to buy a home

Stafford County, VA

$176,753

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$537,904
Down payment (10%)$53,790
Loan$484,114
Principal and interest (7.40%)$3,352/mo
Property tax (0.67% a year)$302/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$269/mo
Mortgage insurance$202/mo
Total monthly cost$4,124/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 $137,807 a year, 78% of what it takes.

In Virginia

Stafford County ranks #121 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.