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Home Affordability Calculator
Find out how much house you can afford based on income, debts, and interest rates.
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Home Affordability Calculator
Enter your values below to get an instant, accurate result.
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Monthly Payment
$0
Payment Schedule
| Year | Principal | Interest | Balance |
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⚠️ Results are estimates for informational purposes only. Actual figures may vary. Read Disclaimer
How Is Home Affordability Calculated?
Max Payment = min(Income × 28%, Income × 36% − Monthly Debts) ÷ 12
Variable Definitions
- 28% Rule
- Monthly housing costs should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income
- 36% Rule
- Total monthly debt payments should not exceed 36% of gross monthly income
- Max Loan
- Back-solved from max monthly payment using the mortgage amortization formula
- Affordable Price
- Max Loan Amount + Down Payment
💡 The 28/36 debt-to-income rule is the standard lender guideline used in the US. The lower of the two limits governs your maximum monthly housing payment.
Frequently Asked Questions — Home-affordability Calculator
A typical monthly mortgage payment consists of four components, often called PITI: Principal (the portion that reduces your loan balance), Interest (the cost of borrowing), property Taxes (collected monthly and held in escrow), and homeowner's Insurance (also held in escrow). Some loans also require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) if your down payment is less than 20%.
A larger down payment reduces your loan amount, which lowers both your monthly payment and the total interest you pay over the life of the loan. Additionally, putting down 20% or more eliminates the requirement for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), saving you an additional $50–$300 per month on average.
A 15-year mortgage has higher monthly payments but builds equity faster and pays significantly less interest over the life of the loan. A 30-year mortgage has lower monthly payments, making it more affordable month-to-month, but you will pay roughly 2–3× more in total interest. Use our calculator to compare both scenarios with your specific numbers.
Use the APR (Annual Percentage Rate) quoted by your lender, or the current average mortgage rate for your loan type and credit profile. As of 2024, 30-year fixed rates have been between 6.5%–7.5%. Your actual rate will depend on your credit score, down payment, loan type, and lender.