House Affordability Calculator
Calculate how much house you can afford based on your income, debts, and down payment. See your maximum home price and monthly payment breakdown.
Affordability Summary
Max Home Price
$364,517
Based on 28/36 rule
Monthly Payment
$2,333
PITI + PMI + HOA
Income & Debts
Your household financials
Include car payments, student loans, credit cards, etc.
Loan Terms
Down payment and interest details
Property Costs
Taxes, insurance, and HOA fees
US average: ~1.1%. Ranges from 0.3% (HI) to 2.5%+ (NJ, IL).
Monthly Payment Breakdown
Affordability by Income
| Income | Max Price | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000/yr | $194,043 | $1,300/mo |
| $80,000/yr | $287,500 | $1,866/mo |
| $100,000/yr | $364,517 | $2,333/mo |
| $125,000/yr | $460,801 | $2,916/mo |
| $150,000/yr | $557,091 | $3,499/mo |
| $200,000/yr | $749,853 | $4,667/mo |
Debt-to-Income Ratios
Standard lending guidelines
Affordability Summary
Max Home Price
$364,517
Based on 28/36 rule
Monthly Payment
$2,333
PITI + PMI + HOA
Quick Answer
Home affordability depends on income, debts, down payment, and interest rates. Generally, housing costs should be under 28% of gross income, total debt under 36%. Our calculator shows the maximum home price you can afford.
Key Facts
- 28/36 rule: housing 28%, total debt 36% of gross income
- Lenders may approve up to 43% DTI for qualified borrowers
- Higher down payment = higher affordable price
- Interest rates significantly impact affordability
- Don't forget taxes, insurance, and HOA in calculations
- Pre-approval gives more accurate affordability than calculators
Adjust Annual Income
See how your income affects the maximum home price you can afford
Personalized Insights
4 insights based on your inputs
Heads Up
3.6x income is on the higher end. Consider reducing debts or increasing your down payment to improve affordability.
Good News
With 20% down, you avoid PMI and get better loan terms—this saves you thousands over the life of the loan.
Note
Your $500/month in existing debts reduces your home buying power by roughly $24,000. Paying down debt increases affordability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, you can afford a home 2.5-3x your annual income. Lenders use debt-to-income ratios: front-end (housing costs) should be ≤28% of gross income, back-end (all debts) should be ≤36%. Your actual affordability depends on down payment, rates, taxes, and other debts.
The 28/36 rule is a lending guideline: housing costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance) should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income (front-end ratio), and total monthly debt payments should not exceed 36% of gross income (back-end ratio).
Minimum down payments: Conventional loans 3-5%, FHA loans 3.5%, VA/USDA loans 0%. However, 20% down avoids PMI, reduces monthly payments, and may get better rates. Median first-time buyer puts down 6%, repeat buyer 17%.
PITI: Principal, Interest, property Taxes, homeowner's Insurance. Also consider: PMI (if <20% down), HOA fees, maintenance (budget 1% of home value/year), and utilities. Total housing costs are typically 1.5-2x the base mortgage payment.
Every 1% rate increase reduces buying power by roughly 10%. At 6% rate, a $2,000 payment affords ~$333K. At 7%, the same payment affords ~$300K. Rate changes have a significant impact on how much house you can afford.
Affordability Summary
Max Home Price
$364,517
Based on 28/36 rule
Monthly Payment
$2,333
PITI + PMI + HOA