Lowest Income Needed to Buy
States ranked from the lowest estimated income needed to buy a typical (mid-tier) home to the highest.
| # | State | Est. home value | Est. payment | Income needed | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $182,704 | $1,379 | $59,100 | 48 |
| 2 | Mississippi | $198,428 | $1,498 | $64,200 | 38 |
| 3 | Louisiana | $217,968 | $1,645 | $70,500 | 38 |
| 4 | Oklahoma | $225,437 | $1,702 | $72,943 | 39 |
| 5 | Arkansas | $228,662 | $1,726 | $73,971 | 33 |
| 6 | Kentucky | $235,363 | $1,777 | $76,157 | 35 |
| 7 | Iowa | $241,255 | $1,821 | $78,043 | 45 |
| 8 | Alabama | $241,517 | $1,823 | $78,129 | 33 |
| 9 | Ohio | $251,502 | $1,899 | $81,386 | 38 |
| 10 | Kansas | $252,794 | $1,908 | $81,771 | 41 |
| 11 | Indiana | $262,265 | $1,980 | $84,857 | 35 |
| 12 | Michigan | $269,972 | $2,038 | $87,343 | 35 |
| 13 | Missouri | $271,597 | $2,050 | $87,857 | 32 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $284,464 | $2,147 | $92,014 | 35 |
| 15 | North Dakota | $293,556 | $2,216 | $94,971 | 33 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $294,099 | $2,220 | $95,143 | 33 |
| 17 | Illinois | $298,871 | $2,256 | $96,686 | 37 |
| 18 | Texas | $302,999 | $2,287 | $98,014 | 32 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $309,323 | $2,335 | $100,071 | 22 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $321,186 | $2,425 | $103,929 | 16 |
| 21 | South Dakota | $325,618 | $2,458 | $105,343 | 24 |
| 22 | Georgia | $335,358 | $2,532 | $108,514 | 24 |
| 23 | Tennessee | $338,769 | $2,557 | $109,586 | 18 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $340,430 | $2,570 | $110,143 | 20 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $342,279 | $2,584 | $110,743 | 24 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $356,887 | $2,694 | $115,457 | 30 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $372,526 | $2,812 | $120,514 | 18 |
| 28 | Florida | $378,126 | $2,855 | $122,357 | 16 |
| 29 | Alaska | $400,659 | $3,025 | $129,643 | 24 |
| 30 | Vermont | $402,017 | $3,035 | $130,071 | 17 |
| 31 | Delaware | $412,252 | $3,112 | $133,371 | 18 |
| 32 | Virginia | $419,920 | $3,170 | $135,857 | 22 |
| 33 | Arizona | $422,822 | $3,192 | $136,800 | 13 |
| 34 | Maine | $424,107 | $3,202 | $137,229 | 10 |
| 35 | Maryland | $436,104 | $3,292 | $141,086 | 27 |
| 36 | Nevada | $448,215 | $3,384 | $145,029 | 10 |
| 37 | Connecticut | $455,424 | $3,438 | $147,343 | 20 |
| 38 | Montana | $476,115 | $3,594 | $154,029 | 4 |
| 39 | Idaho | $482,199 | $3,640 | $156,000 | 7 |
| 40 | Oregon | $504,432 | $3,808 | $163,200 | 8 |
| 41 | Rhode Island | $517,078 | $3,904 | $167,314 | 10 |
| 42 | New Hampshire | $522,944 | $3,948 | $169,200 | 14 |
| 43 | New York | $525,947 | $3,970 | $170,143 | 8 |
| 44 | Utah | $541,692 | $4,089 | $175,243 | 10 |
| 45 | Colorado | $543,435 | $4,102 | $175,800 | 10 |
| 46 | District of Columbia | $579,332 | $4,373 | $187,414 | 14 |
| 47 | New Jersey | $584,681 | $4,414 | $189,171 | 11 |
| 48 | Washington | $603,303 | $4,554 | $195,171 | 7 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | $672,867 | $5,080 | $217,714 | 5 |
| 50 | California | $775,549 | $5,855 | $250,929 | 0 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $836,741 | $6,317 | $270,729 | 0 |
Sources — Home values & rent: Zillow Research, 2026-06 · Income: U.S. Census ACS. Zillow does not endorse this site.
How this ranking is built
Income needed is the payment for a mid-tier Zillow home scaled so housing is about 28% of gross income. Every figure is an educational estimate. See the full methodology, then customize the math on the Home Payment Atlas mortgage calculator.
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Frequently asked questions
Where does this ranking's data come from?
Home values and rent are from Zillow Research (ZHVI/ZORI), 2026-06; income is from the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-year 2023). Figures are estimates, not appraisals.
How is the ranking calculated?
Income needed is the payment for a mid-tier Zillow home scaled so housing is about 28% of gross income. Full details are on the methodology page.
How do I adjust the assumptions?
Open the Home Payment Atlas calculator to set your own down payment, rate, taxes, insurance, and PMI.
About these estimates & data sources
Home values and rents reflect Zillow Research data (ZHVI and ZORI, 2026-06). Household income reflects U.S. Census ACS data. All figures are estimates for general comparison, not appraisals or quotes — confirm details before relying on them.
Home values and rent: Zillow Research (ZHVI, ZORI), 2026-06. Geography and FIPS codes: U.S. Census Bureau (Cartographic Boundary Files). Household income: U.S. Census ACS. Detailed payment math: Home Payment Atlas. Zillow does not endorse this site.
Figures are educational estimates only and are not financial, legal, tax, mortgage, or real-estate advice, and not a loan offer. Verify every number with lenders, agents, tax authorities, and official sources. See our methodology and terms & disclaimer.