A STRETCH
On $75,000/yr, the typical $280,016 home in St. Louis, MO needs $84,123/yr ($1,963/mo). Your gap: $-9,123 — housing would be 31.4% of your gross income.
The math
280,016 price − 10% down (28,002) = 252,014 loan
30-yr fixed at 6.69% on 252,014 = 1,625/mo principal+interest
+ 338/mo est. taxes+insurance (1.45%/yr of value — national placeholder)
1,963/mo PITI ÷ 0.28 = 7,010/mo → 84,123/yr required
against Zillow ZHVI 2026-06 and the 6.69% FRED 30-yr rate (2026-08-06).
What salary WOULD clear St. Louis, MO?
You need about $84,123/yr for the typical home. That's $9,123 more than $75,000.