How Much Income Do I Need to Buy a House on Staten Island or in Brooklyn in 2026?

The income you need to buy a house in 2026 comes down to three numbers: the price, the mortgage rate, and your down payment. On Staten Island, where the median sale price is about $755,000, a buyer with 20% down needs household income near $150,000 to $165,000. In Brooklyn, where the borough-wide median is about $850,000, the target is closer to $170,000 to $185,000. Here’s how the math works in each borough, and how to find your own number.

How the affordability math works in 2026

Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio – roughly, your total monthly debt should stay under about 43% to 45% of your gross monthly income. The mortgage payment is the biggest piece. The 30-year fixed rate averaged about 6.53% the week of May 28, 2026 (Freddie Mac), down from 6.89% a year earlier. At that rate, every $100,000 you borrow costs roughly $635 a month in principal and interest, before taxes and insurance. NYC property taxes and homeowner’s insurance then get added on top, and they vary by property type and assessment.

If you are buying on Staten Island, here’s what is different

The Staten Island median sale price is about $755,000 in 2026, up roughly 2.6% to 4% year over year. Put 20% down on that ($151,000) and you finance $604,000. At 6.53%, principal and interest run about $3,820 a month; add taxes and insurance and most lenders want household income near $150,000 to $165,000. Staten Island also gives you more house for the money – single-family and legal two-family homes with driveways and yards are the norm, and a two-family lets rental income offset the payment. Inventory is tight, with about 887 to 921 active listings and just 2.6 months of supply, so pre-approval and fast, clean offers matter.

If you are buying in Brooklyn, here’s what is different

Brooklyn’s borough-wide median is about $850,000 in 2026, up 4.2% year over year, but the number you need depends heavily on property type. Single-family detached homes carry a $950,000 median, two-family homes $1.2 million, condos $1.1 million, and co-ops just $460,000. Put 20% down on the borough median and you finance $680,000, with principal and interest near $4,300 a month and a qualifying income target around $170,000 to $185,000. If price is your constraint, a Brooklyn co-op at the $460,000 median needs far less income – though co-op boards add their own financial review and reserve requirements. Brooklyn runs at about 55 days on market and 3.8 months of supply, a bit more breathing room than Staten Island.

Is it cheaper to buy on Staten Island or in Brooklyn?

Staten Island is generally more affordable for a house with space – about $755,000 median versus $850,000 in Brooklyn, with bigger lots and more two-family options. Brooklyn wins on co-op pricing and walkability. The right answer depends on whether you value square footage and a yard or transit and neighborhood density, and on which property type your income supports.

How do I find my exact number?

Estimates are a starting point, not a finish line. Get pre-approved with a lender to lock in your real budget, then have an agent show you what that budget buys in specific neighborhoods. Joseph Ranola connects buyers with trusted local lenders across Staten Island and Brooklyn and translates your pre-approval into real listings on real blocks.

Note: payment and income figures are illustrative estimates based on 2026 median prices, a 6.53% 30-year fixed rate, 20% down, and typical NYC taxes and insurance. Your actual numbers depend on the specific property, your credit, and your loan program. This is not a mortgage commitment or financial advice.

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