"How much house can I afford?" is the first question every buyer should answer — before scrolling listings. A house affordability calculator applies the same math mortgage lenders use: it converts your income and existing debts into a maximum monthly housing payment, then works backward through interest rates, property taxes, insurance and HOA dues to find the highest home price that payment can support. Everything runs privately in your browser; nothing is uploaded or stored.
Most lenders apply the 28/36 rule. The 28% front-end ratio caps your total housing payment (mortgage principal + interest, property tax, homeowners insurance, HOA — lenders call this PITIA) at 28% of your gross monthly income. The 36% back-end ratio caps your housing payment plus all other monthly debts — car loans, student loans, minimum credit card payments — at 36% of gross monthly income. Your affordable price is based on whichever limit is tighter, and this calculator tells you which one that is.
Two inputs move the needle most. Down payment adds directly to the price you can reach (price = loan + down payment), shrinks your monthly payment, and at 20% or more eliminates PMI — private mortgage insurance that typically costs 0.5–1% of the loan each year. Other debts are the silent budget killer: a $700 car payment can cut your affordable home price by over $100,000, because every debt dollar comes straight out of the 36% back-end budget.
How to use the House Affordability Calculator
- Enter your annual gross income — before taxes, for all borrowers on the loan.
- Add your other monthly debts — minimum payments on car loans, student loans, credit cards, personal loans.
- Enter your down payment and the mortgage rate and term you expect.
- Set local costs — annual property tax rate, homeowners insurance and monthly HOA dues.
- Click Calculate Affordability to see your maximum home price and full payment breakdown.
Tips to afford more house
- Pay down car and credit card debt first — reducing monthly debts is the fastest way to raise your back-end limit.
- Save toward 20% down to drop PMI and unlock the best rates; every extra point of rate cuts affordability by thousands.
- Compare property tax rates across neighborhoods — in high-tax areas the same income can support a much lower price.
- Getting pre-approved locks in what lenders actually verify: income documents, credit score and cash reserves matter beyond the math.
What the 28/36 result really means
The calculator's result is a ceiling, not a target. Lenders qualify you on gross income, but you live on take-home pay — many buyers are comfortable below the 28% line, especially with childcare, commuting or lifestyle costs the formula ignores. Running the numbers with honest inputs gives you a realistic price band to shop in, keeps you out of house-poor territory, and makes pre-approval conversations much easier because you already speak the lender's language.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 28/36 rule for home affordability?
The 28/36 rule is the standard guideline US mortgage lenders use. The 28% "front-end" rule caps your total housing payment — mortgage, tax, insurance and HOA — at 28% of gross monthly income. The 36% "back-end" rule caps that housing payment plus all other monthly debts at 36% of gross monthly income. This calculator uses whichever limit is lower for you.
How much house can I afford on a $100,000 salary?
With a $100,000 salary, the 28% rule allows about $2,333/month in total housing costs. At a 6.5% 30-year rate with average property taxes and insurance and a 20% down payment, that typically supports a home price around $410,000–$440,000. If you carry other debts, the 36% rule may lower that. Run your own numbers in the calculator above with your exact debts and down payment.
How does a bigger down payment change what I can afford?
A bigger down payment raises affordability three ways: it adds directly to the home price you can reach (price = loan + down payment), it shrinks the loan and therefore the monthly payment, and at 20% or more it eliminates private mortgage insurance (PMI), which typically costs 0.5–1% of the loan per year. Entering different down payment amounts above shows the difference instantly.
Do property taxes and insurance really affect affordability?
Yes — significantly. Lenders count the full PITIA payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA) against the 28/36 limits, not just the mortgage. In high-tax states, property tax can be a third of the total housing bill. Homeowners insurance averages around $1,500–$2,500 a year in the US, and HOA dues can add hundreds more per month. This calculator includes all of them so your affordable price reflects reality, not just the mortgage.
All calculations are estimates for personal use. This tool is not financial advice and does not constitute a loan pre-approval or offer.