Home Affordability Calculator
How much house can you afford? Enter income, debts, and your down payment to see the maximum home price the 28/36 lender rules support — before you start shopping.
The right first question isn't "what's the payment on this house" — it's "what price can I afford at all." This calculator answers that, working from your income and debts through the 28/36 lender rules to a maximum home price, with property tax and insurance folded in.
Once you have a target price, price specific homes with the Mortgage Calculator, weigh owning against renting in the Rent vs Buy Calculator, and budget the upfront cash with the Closing Cost Estimator.
FAQ
- How much house can I afford?
- Lenders cap your housing payment at about 28% of gross monthly income (front-end DTI) and your total debt payments at about 36% (back-end DTI). The lower of the two is your ceiling. This calculator solves backward from that ceiling — accounting for tax and insurance that scale with price — to a maximum home price.
- What's the difference between this and a mortgage calculator?
- A mortgage calculator prices a home you've already chosen. This works the other direction — from your income to the maximum price you qualify for — so it's the tool to use before you start shopping.
- Is the maximum a budget?
- No. It's the most a lender will likely approve, not the most you should spend. A payment you qualify for can still crowd out savings, travel, and breathing room. Treat the result as a ceiling and choose your comfort below it.