Income needed to buy a home

Buffalo County, WI

$87,741

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

The monthly math

Typical home value$256,857
Down payment (10%)$25,686
Loan$231,171
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,601/mo
Property tax (1.04% a year)$222/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$128/mo
Mortgage insurance$96/mo
Total monthly cost$2,047/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 $70,479 a year, 80% of what it takes.

In Wisconsin

Buffalo County ranks #18 of 72 for the income a home takes, from least to most.

Easiest to afford in Wisconsin

CountyTypical homeIncome needed
Ashland County$187,072$65,647
Florence County$199,811$69,775
Iron County$216,800$73,617
Marinette County$218,557$75,213
Rusk County$220,846$75,369

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.