A STRETCH
On $75,000/yr, the typical $260,710 home in Birmingham, AL needs $81,624/yr ($1,905/mo). Your gap: $-6,624 — housing would be 30.5% of your gross income.
The math
260,710 price − 10% down (26,071) = 234,639 loan
30-yr fixed at 7.18% on 234,639 = 1,590/mo principal+interest
+ 315/mo est. taxes+insurance (1.45%/yr of value — national placeholder)
1,905/mo PITI ÷ 0.28 = 6,802/mo → 81,624/yr required
against Zillow ZHVI 2026-09 and the 7.18% FRED 30-yr rate (2026-11-05).
What salary WOULD clear Birmingham, AL?
You need about $81,624/yr for the typical home. That's $6,624 more than $75,000.