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.
Formula:Max Home = (Income × 0.28 - Debts) / PITI Rate
Affordability Summary
Max Home Price
$364,517
Based on 28/36 rule
Monthly Payment
$2,333
PITI + PMI + HOA
Loan Amount$291,614
Down Payment$72,903
Front-End Ratio28.0%
Back-End Ratio34.0%
Income & Debts
Your household financials
$
$
Include car payments, student loans, credit cards, etc.
Loan Terms
Down payment and interest details
%
330
%
Property Costs
Taxes, insurance, and HOA fees
%
US average: ~1.1%. Ranges from 0.3% (HI) to 2.5%+ (NJ, IL).
$
$
Monthly Payment Breakdown
Principal:$264
Interest:$1,580
Taxes:$365
Insurance:$125
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
Front-End Ratio (Housing)28.0% / 28%
Back-End Ratio (Total Debt)34.0% / 36%
Affordability Summary
Max Home Price
$364,517
Based on 28/36 rule
Monthly Payment
$2,333
PITI + PMI + HOA
Loan Amount$291,614
Down Payment$72,903
Front-End Ratio28.0%
Back-End Ratio34.0%
Adjust Annual Income
See how your income affects the maximum home price you can afford
$40,000$100,000$300,000
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.
How this works
Calculations are run entirely in your browser. No inputs are sent to our servers and no account is required. Formulas follow standard US definitions from the IRS and the CFPB where applicable; international users should confirm local tax and regulatory rules apply.
What this tool can’t do
When to consult a professional
This is a software engineering tool, not financial advice. Run the math here, then take the result to a certified financial planner, CPA, or your bank before making a decision that materially affects your money.
Sources
- [1]Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)Official sourceconsumerfinance.govAccessed Apr 21, 2026
US consumer finance regulator; authoritative on mortgage disclosures, APR rules, credit cards.
Joseph OrdunaFounder & Software Engineer
Full-stack software engineer specializing in embedded systems, web architecture, and AI/ML. Founder of Practical Web Tools. Built the gesture-controlled drone IP acquired by KD Interactive (Aura Drone, sold on Amazon).
Affordability Summary
Max Home Price
$364,517
Based on 28/36 rule
Monthly Payment
$2,333
PITI + PMI + HOA
Loan Amount$291,614
Down Payment$72,903
Front-End Ratio28.0%
Back-End Ratio34.0%