Income Needed to Buy in Columbus
Common Question: 'How much income do I need to buy a house in Columbus?' Based on the median home price of $260,000, lenders typically look for an annual household income of roughly $18,200. This ensures your payment stays below 28% of your gross pay.
Closing Costs in Ohio
Don't forget cash to close. In Ohio, buyer closing costs typically range from 2% to 5%. For a home in Columbus, you should budget between $5,200 and $13,000 on top of your down payment.
Rent vs Buy in Columbus
Is it better to rent or buy in Columbus? With a calculated monthly payment of ~$1,820, buying is currently more expensive monthly than the average rent. However, buying locks in your housing cost against future Ohio inflation.
Hidden Costs: Property Taxes
Generic calculators often get Columbus wrong because they underestimate taxes. Our Columbus Mortgage Calculator uses the specific Ohio property tax rate of 1.6%, which adds roughly $347/mo to your real payment.
First-Time Buyer Tips (FHA & PMI)
First-time buyers in Columbus often utilize FHA loans. Note that putting less than 20% down will trigger Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), which can add 0.5-1% annually to your loan balance until you reach 20% equity.