Home LoansHome Affordability Calculator
Find out how much house your income can comfortably support.
By Mubeen Khan · Last reviewed 2026-10-30
How this calculator works
Falling in love with a house you cannot comfortably afford is one of the most expensive mistakes in personal finance. Lenders answer "how much can I borrow" with the 28/36 rule: spend no more than 28% of gross monthly income on housing (front-end ratio) and no more than 36% on all debts combined including housing (back-end ratio). This home affordability calculator applies both limits, converts the stricter one into a loan amount at your rate and term, then grosses it up by your down payment into a maximum home price.
The chart shows how the answer moves as you stretch the income ratio, useful when deciding how conservative to be. Remember that the rule is a ceiling, not a target: taxes, insurance, maintenance (budget roughly 1% of the home value per year) and HOA dues all sit on top of the mortgage. In high-cost areas, many buyers also weigh the back-end ratio more heavily because student loans or car payments eat the budget fast. Use this calculator before you browse listings, not after, it keeps your search honest and your offer letters credible.
Worked example: use this how much house can I afford calculator with a $115,000 income. That is $9,583 per month, so the 28% front-end limit is $2,683 per month for housing. At a 6.5% rate over 30 years, a $2,683 monthly payment supports a loan of about $424,500, which is a home price of about $530,700 with 20% down. With $500 a month in other debts, the 36% back-end limit is $2,950 a month, so the $2,683 front-end limit still binds and the answer does not change. Change the rate, term or down payment above and the price updates instantly.\n\nSalary quick reference at 6.5% over 30 years with 20% down and no other debts: a $60,000 income supports a home near $276,900, $70,000 supports about $323,000, $80,000 about $369,200, and $90,000 about $415,300. Each extra $10,000 of income adds roughly $46,000 of buying power at these rates, which is why two households with similar jobs can face very different listings. Add your real monthly debts above and the back-end limit trims these figures to your honest number.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 28/36 rule?
A traditional lending guideline: housing costs should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income, and total debt payments (housing plus car loans, student loans, minimum card payments) should not exceed 36%.
Does this include property taxes and insurance?
The ratios apply to total housing cost, which lenders define as PITI: principal, interest, taxes and insurance. Our calculator converts the payment limit to a price; budget taxes and insurance inside that payment.
Can I afford more if I have no other debts?
Yes, with zero other debts, the back-end ratio equals the front-end ratio, so you qualify for the full 28% housing budget. Existing debts are what usually drag the number down.
Is the maximum price the price I should pay?
No. It is the most a lender would likely approve. Most financial planners suggest staying 10–20% below the maximum to leave room for maintenance, savings and life surprises.
How do I use this how much house can I afford calculator?
Enter your annual household income, monthly debt payments, mortgage rate, loan term and down payment percentage. The calculator applies the 28/36 rule, takes the stricter of the front-end and back-end limits, converts that monthly payment into a loan amount at your rate and term, and grosses it up by your down payment into a maximum home price.
How much house can I afford on a $115,000 income?
About $530,700 with 20% down at a 6.5% rate over 30 years. A $115,000 income is $9,583 a month, the 28% limit is $2,683 a month for housing, and that payment supports a loan of about $424,500. With $500 a month in other debts the back-end limit is $2,950, so the front-end limit still binds.
How much house can I afford making $70,000 a year?
About $323,000 with 20% down at 6.5% over 30 years, assuming no other debts. The 28% rule gives a $70,000 income a $1,633 monthly housing budget, which supports a loan of about $258,400. Monthly debts above roughly $500 start cutting that number through the 36% back-end limit.
How much can I afford making $80,000 a year?
About $369,200 of house with 20% down at 6.5% over 30 years. An $80,000 income allows $1,867 a month for housing under the 28% rule, supporting a loan of about $295,300. That is roughly $46,000 more buying power than a $70,000 income at the same rate.
How much mortgage can I afford making $90,000 a year?
A loan of about $332,200, which is a home price near $415,300 with 20% down at 6.5% over 30 years. The ceiling comes from the $2,100 monthly housing budget (28% of $7,500 gross monthly income); car payments, student loans and card minimums only pull it down via the back-end ratio.
