How much income do home buyers have? (2025)
The median 2025 home buyer reported $116,000 of income. By state and county.
Updated October 24, 2026
HMDA records include the household income the lender relied on. In 2025, the median home-purchase borrower reported $116,000; the middle half reported $79,000 to $177,000. That is not a minimum: it is what buyers who got mortgages actually earned.
Highest and lowest buyer incomes by state
| State | Median buyer income | Median purchase loan |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $185,000 | $565,000 |
| California | $175,000 | $575,000 |
| Hawaii | $157,000 | $585,000 |
| New Jersey | $155,000 | $455,000 |
| Massachusetts | $154,000 | $495,000 |
| Iowa | $89,000 | $215,000 |
| West Virginia | $90,000 | $225,000 |
| Mississippi | $90,000 | $245,000 |
| Indiana | $90,000 | $245,000 |
| Kentucky | $91,000 | $245,000 |
Estimating what you can afford
A common rule is that housing costs (principal, interest, taxes and insurance) stay under about 28%–31% of gross income and total debts under 36%–45%, although many 2025 buyers had higher ratios. Use the payment calculator with your county's typical property-tax rate, and compare your income with buyers in your county on its page.
Data: FFIEC/CFPB HMDA 2025 public loan/application register; FHFA and HUD 2026 loan limits. Home-purchase figures cover owner-occupied single-family (1–4 unit) site-built homes, first-lien closed-end loans. Methodology