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 | $176,576 | $1,333 | $57,129 | 51 |
| 2 | Mississippi | $194,531 | $1,469 | $62,957 | 39 |
| 3 | Louisiana | $213,867 | $1,615 | $69,214 | 39 |
| 4 | Oklahoma | $220,801 | $1,667 | $71,443 | 41 |
| 5 | Arkansas | $224,158 | $1,692 | $72,514 | 34 |
| 6 | Kentucky | $230,909 | $1,743 | $74,700 | 36 |
| 7 | Iowa | $236,623 | $1,786 | $76,543 | 46 |
| 8 | Alabama | $238,614 | $1,801 | $77,186 | 34 |
| 9 | Ohio | $245,982 | $1,857 | $79,586 | 40 |
| 10 | Kansas | $246,055 | $1,858 | $79,629 | 43 |
| 11 | Indiana | $257,165 | $1,941 | $83,186 | 37 |
| 12 | Michigan | $263,760 | $1,991 | $85,329 | 36 |
| 13 | Missouri | $265,387 | $2,003 | $85,843 | 34 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $278,299 | $2,101 | $90,043 | 36 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $287,078 | $2,167 | $92,871 | 35 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $290,657 | $2,194 | $94,029 | 34 |
| 17 | Illinois | $295,943 | $2,234 | $95,743 | 38 |
| 18 | Texas | $296,424 | $2,238 | $95,914 | 33 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $304,319 | $2,297 | $98,443 | 23 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $315,812 | $2,384 | $102,171 | 17 |
| 21 | South Dakota | $317,874 | $2,400 | $102,857 | 25 |
| 22 | Georgia | $329,115 | $2,485 | $106,500 | 25 |
| 23 | Tennessee | $330,844 | $2,498 | $107,057 | 19 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $332,159 | $2,508 | $107,486 | 21 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $337,196 | $2,546 | $109,114 | 24 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $348,778 | $2,633 | $112,843 | 31 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $369,044 | $2,786 | $119,400 | 19 |
| 28 | Florida | $375,361 | $2,834 | $121,457 | 16 |
| 29 | Vermont | $391,900 | $2,959 | $126,814 | 18 |
| 30 | Alaska | $397,932 | $3,004 | $128,743 | 24 |
| 31 | Delaware | $405,061 | $3,058 | $131,057 | 19 |
| 32 | Maine | $412,002 | $3,110 | $133,286 | 12 |
| 33 | Virginia | $412,252 | $3,112 | $133,371 | 24 |
| 34 | Arizona | $416,733 | $3,146 | $134,829 | 14 |
| 35 | Maryland | $424,890 | $3,208 | $137,486 | 28 |
| 36 | Nevada | $440,739 | $3,327 | $142,586 | 11 |
| 37 | Connecticut | $447,319 | $3,377 | $144,729 | 21 |
| 38 | Montana | $467,275 | $3,528 | $151,200 | 5 |
| 39 | Idaho | $476,754 | $3,599 | $154,243 | 7 |
| 40 | Oregon | $492,753 | $3,720 | $159,429 | 9 |
| 41 | Rhode Island | $508,507 | $3,839 | $164,529 | 10 |
| 42 | New Hampshire | $510,937 | $3,857 | $165,300 | 15 |
| 43 | New York | $524,942 | $3,963 | $169,843 | 8 |
| 44 | Colorado | $529,013 | $3,994 | $171,171 | 12 |
| 45 | Utah | $532,920 | $4,023 | $172,414 | 11 |
| 46 | District of Columbia | $567,271 | $4,282 | $183,514 | 15 |
| 47 | New Jersey | $575,123 | $4,342 | $186,086 | 12 |
| 48 | Washington | $587,533 | $4,435 | $190,071 | 8 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | $655,219 | $4,946 | $211,971 | 7 |
| 50 | California | $761,538 | $5,749 | $246,386 | 0 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $832,932 | $6,288 | $269,486 | 0 |
Sources — Home values & rent: Zillow Research, 2026-09 · 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), 2026-09; 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, 2026-09). 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), 2026-09. 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.