Income needed to buy a home
McDowell County, WV
$13,660
a year in household income to buy the typical McDowell County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$42,866
Down payment (10%)$4,287
Loan$38,579
Principal and interest (7.40%)$267/mo
Property tax (0.4% a year)$14/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$21/mo
Mortgage insurance$16/mo
Total monthly cost$319/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
Room to spare
The typical household here earns $31,559 a year, 131% more than it takes.
In West Virginia
McDowell County ranks #1 of 55 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in West Virginia
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming County | $67,542 | $21,475 |
| Mingo County | $77,706 | $24,785 |
| Webster County | $85,392 | $26,943 |
| Boone County | $95,486 | $30,834 |
| Lincoln County | $103,827 | $33,138 |
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.