Find out how much home you can afford based on your income, debts, and down payment. Uses the same debt-to-income ratios that lenders apply when qualifying you for a mortgage.
We use standard DTI ratios (28% front-end, 36% back-end) to calculate affordability.
Max Affordable Home
$424,663
Est. Monthly Payment
$2,800
Suggested Loan
$344,663
⚠️ DTI is Just One Factor
This estimate is based on debt-to-income ratios alone. Lenders also evaluate your credit score, employment history, assets and reserves, and the property type when making approval decisions. A strong DTI does not guarantee loan approval, and some lenders may allow higher DTI limits depending on your overall financial profile.
Based on: the default rate is the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey 30-year average, retrieved through FRED: 7.03%, as of September 24, 2026. The maximum home price uses debt-to-income limits of 28% of gross monthly income for housing and 36% for total monthly debt, whichever gives the lower price. Page last reviewed November 8, 2026. See the methodology for formulas and sources.
Assumptions: 30-year fixed rate; the housing payment is principal and interest plus the property tax and insurance you enter; PMI, HOA dues and closing costs are not included; the maximum home price is the loan that payment supports plus your down payment. Lenders may allow higher ratios. Results are estimates, not advice or a loan quote.
Use your total gross (pre-tax) income from all sources — wages, salary, self-employment, bonuses, rental income, alimony, and any other regular income. If you are buying with a co-borrower (spouse, partner), include both incomes combined. Lenders qualify you on gross income, not your take-home pay, so do not deduct taxes or retirement contributions.
Include all recurring debt obligations that appear on your credit report: car loans, student loans, minimum credit card payments, personal loans, and child support or alimony. Do NOT include everyday living expenses like utilities, groceries, subscriptions, or insurance premiums — lenders do not count these in your debt-to-income ratio.
Lenders use two debt-to-income ratios. The front-end ratio (28%) means your total housing costs — principal, interest, taxes, and insurance — should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. The back-end ratio (36–43%) means all your monthly debts combined (housing plus car loans, student loans, credit cards) should not exceed 36–43% of gross income.
Lenders qualify you based on gross (pre-tax) income, not your take-home pay. This means the maximum home price our calculator shows may feel larger than what is comfortable on your actual paycheck. A good rule of thumb is to target a payment that is no more than 25–30% of your net (after-tax) monthly income.
Your mortgage payment is just one part of the true cost of owning a home. Budget an additional 1–2% of the home value annually for maintenance and repairs, plus property taxes (highly location-dependent), homeowners insurance ($100–$200/month), HOA fees if applicable, and utilities.
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