$70,984/yr
is the income needed to buy the typical $235,879 home in Rome, GA at today's 6.71% rate — about $1,656/mo. The local median household ($62,540) falls $8,444 short.
The math (shown)
235,879 price − 10% down (23,588) = 212,291 loan
30-yr fixed at 6.71% on 212,291 = 1,371/mo principal+interest
+ 285/mo est. taxes+insurance (1.45%/yr of value — national placeholder)
1,656/mo PITI ÷ 0.28 = 5,915/mo → 70,984/yr required
against Zillow ZHVI 2026-07 (Zillow ZHVI (typical home value, smoothed, all-homes 33–67pct tier)) and the 6.71% FRED 30-yr rate (2026-09-03). Local median income: $62,540 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year, median household income (table B19013)).
Can I afford Rome, GA on my salary?
Your salary:
Rent vs own here
Honest null: HUD FMR needs a free huduser.gov token (env.HUD_TOKEN). Honest-null until set. (HUD FMR needs a free token; not wired here.)
FAQ
How much do I need to make to live in Rome, GA?
To buy the typical home, about $70,984/yr. Renting needs less; this page sizes the buy.
What home value is this based on?
Zillow's ZHVI typical-home-value for the Rome, GA metro (2026-07): $235,879.
Is the mortgage rate current?
Yes — 6.71% from FRED's weekly 30-year fixed average (2026-09-03).
Glossary
ZHVI
Zillow Home Value Index — the typical home value for a region (35th–65th percentile, smoothed, seasonally adjusted).
Front-end DTI
Housing payment as a share of gross income; lenders commonly cap it near 28%.
PITI
Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance — the full monthly housing cost.