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Home Affordability Calculator

Find out how much house you can afford based on your income, existing debts, and down payment — using the same 28/36 rule lenders rely on.

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You may afford up to $0
Estimated max loan
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Max monthly housing payment
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How the affordability calculator works

The calculator applies the 28/36 rule. It takes the smaller of two limits — 28% of your gross monthly income for housing, or your chosen total debt-to-income cap minus your existing monthly debts — then subtracts estimated taxes and insurance to find the principal-and-interest payment you can support. From there it works backward to a maximum loan amount and adds your down payment to estimate the highest home price that fits.

Why your debts matter so much

Lenders care about your total obligations, not just the mortgage. Every $100 of existing monthly debt directly reduces what you can borrow. Paying down a car loan or credit card before you apply can meaningfully raise your budget.

Tips

  • Just because you qualify doesn't mean you should. Leave room for savings, maintenance, and life.
  • Lower your DTI first. Reducing debt often helps more than a bigger paycheck.
  • Get pre-approved to confirm your real numbers with a lender.

Estimate your real monthly cost with the Mortgage Calculator, check your debt-to-income ratio, and read the full How Much House Can I Afford? guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 28/36 rule?
It's a common affordability guideline lenders use. The 28 means your total housing payment shouldn't exceed about 28% of your gross monthly income (the front-end ratio). The 36 means all your monthly debt payments — housing plus car, cards, and loans — shouldn't exceed about 36% of gross income (the back-end ratio). Many lenders allow higher back-end ratios, but 28/36 is a sensible target.
How much house can I afford on my salary?
It depends on more than salary: your existing debts, down payment, interest rate, and local taxes and insurance all matter. This calculator combines them using the 28/36 rule to estimate a maximum home price. It's a starting point — your lender will also weigh your credit score and reserves.
Does my down payment change what I can afford?
Yes. A bigger down payment increases the home price you can reach (loan amount plus down payment), and reaching 20% lets you avoid PMI, which lowers your monthly payment and frees up borrowing room.

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