Enter your financial details — we'll show your max home price at three comfort levels
💰 Your Income
💳 Monthly Debts — don't include current rent
🏦 Mortgage Details
🏡 Location Costs
🏠 Your Home Price Range
✅ Comfortable
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⚠️ Stretch
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🛑 Maximum
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Our Recommendation
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Monthly Payment
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PITI + PMI + HOA
Front-End DTI
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housing / income
Back-End DTI
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all debts / income
📊 Your Debt-to-Income Ratio
0%Safe ≤28%Caution 29-36%Risky 37%+50%
💵 Monthly Payment Breakdown
💰 Cash Needed at Closing
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📐 How We Calculated This
The 28/36 Rule Explained
The 28/36 rule is the most widely used guideline for mortgage affordability. It has two parts:
2️⃣8️⃣
Front-End Ratio: ≤ 28%
Your total monthly housing costs (mortgage principal + interest + property taxes + insurance + HOA + PMI) should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. This is sometimes called the "housing ratio."
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Back-End Ratio: ≤ 36%
Your total monthly debt payments (housing costs + car loans + student loans + credit cards + any other debts) should not exceed 36% of your gross monthly income. This is your full DTI ratio.
⚠️ What lenders actually allow
Many lenders will approve loans with DTI ratios well above 36%. FHA allows up to 43%, and some conventional lenders go to 45-50% for borrowers with strong credit and reserves. But just because you qualify doesn't mean you can comfortably afford it. The 28/36 rule exists to leave room in your budget for savings, emergencies, and life.
How Much House Can You Afford by Income?
This table assumes 20% down, 6.5% mortgage rate, 1.1% property tax, $2,400/year insurance, no other debts, and the 28% front-end DTI rule:
Annual Income
Max Home Price
Monthly Payment
Down Payment (20%)
$50,000
$185,000
$1,167
$37,000
$75,000
$290,000
$1,750
$58,000
$100,000
$395,000
$2,333
$79,000
$125,000
$500,000
$2,917
$100,000
$150,000
$605,000
$3,500
$121,000
$200,000
$815,000
$4,667
$163,000
$250,000
$1,025,000
$5,833
$205,000
Note: Adding debts reduces your affordable price. $500/month in existing debt payments reduces your home budget by roughly $75,000-$85,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much house can I afford on $100K salary? ▼
With $100K income, no debts, and 20% down at 6.5% rate, you can afford roughly $395,000. Add $500/month in existing debts and that drops to ~$310,000. Add a co-borrower earning $60K with no debts and you jump to ~$630,000. The key variables: your existing monthly debts, down payment size, and the interest rate your credit score qualifies for.
Should I buy the maximum I can afford? ▼
No — most financial advisors recommend buying below your maximum. The bank calculates what you can technically pay, not what leaves you comfortable. At 28% DTI, you have room for savings, travel, and emergencies. At 40%+ DTI, one job loss or major repair can put you in financial distress. The "comfortable" scenario in our calculator uses 25% DTI, which most buyers find sustainable long-term.
How does PMI work and when can I remove it? ▼
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is required when you put less than 20% down on a conventional loan. It costs 0.3-1.5% of the loan amount annually. You can request removal once you reach 20% equity (through payments or appreciation), and it automatically drops at 22% equity. FHA loans have their own version (MIP) that lasts the life of the loan if you put less than 10% down.
What credit score do I need to buy a house? ▼
Minimums: conventional loans 620, FHA 580 (3.5% down) or 500 (10% down), VA typically 620, USDA typically 640. But your score dramatically affects your rate — 760+ might get 6.25% while 620 could mean 7.5%+ in 2026. That 1.25% rate difference on a $320K loan costs roughly $90,000 more in interest over 30 years. Improving your score before buying can save tens of thousands.
What if I can only put 3-5% down? ▼
It's doable but more expensive. On a $350K home with 5% down ($17,500), you'd pay PMI of roughly $150-250/month on top of your mortgage. That PMI adds $1,800-$3,000/year until you hit 20% equity. You'll also have a higher monthly payment since you're financing 95% instead of 80%. The upside: you get into a home sooner and start building equity instead of paying rent.
Sources: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for DTI guidelines. Freddie Mac for current mortgage rate benchmarks. National Association of Realtors (NAR) for down payment statistics. Urban Institute for PMI cost ranges (2026). IRS for standard deduction amounts.