Affordability Scenario — DTI Front-End Ratio
Your Financial Profile
Income & Existing Debt
Annual Income ?
$
Monthly Debt Payments ?
$
Down Payment
Down Payment Amount ?
$
Adjust with slider $30,000
$0$150K$300K$450K$600K
Loan Terms
Interest Rate ? 7.00%
2%5%8%11%14%
Loan Term 30 yrs
510152030
Taxes & Insurance (Annual)
Property Tax ?
$
Home Insurance ?
$
Enter your annual income
Add your gross annual income above to calculate your home affordability estimate.
Maximum Home Price
$—
Based on 28% front-end DTI rule
Monthly Payment
Loan Amount
Front-End DTI
Housing only
Back-End DTI
Housing + all debts
Back-End DTI Ratio
Debt-to-income ratio. Under 36% is considered healthy by most lenders.
Monthly Payment Breakdown
Principal & Interest
Property Tax
Home Insurance
Sensitivity Analysis
How your maximum home price responds to change
Max Home Price
Current Value

How This Mortgage Affordability Calculator Works

This mortgage affordability calculator helps you estimate how much house you may be able to afford based on your income, existing monthly debt, down payment, interest rate, loan term, property taxes, and homeowners insurance. It uses common lender guidelines, including the 28/36 debt-to-income rule, to show a more realistic affordability range.

Unlike a basic home affordability calculator, this tool considers both front-end and back-end debt-to-income ratios. That means it looks at not only your potential housing costs, but also how your current debts can affect mortgage approval. This gives you a better estimate of your maximum home price, monthly payment, and overall borrowing comfort.

Use this calculator as a starting point before applying for a mortgage. Actual approval amounts may vary based on your credit score, cash reserves, loan program, private mortgage insurance, and lender-specific underwriting standards.

What Affects How Much House You Can Afford?

  • Annual income: Higher household income generally increases affordability.
  • Monthly debt payments: Car loans, student loans, and credit card payments reduce buying power.
  • Down payment: A larger down payment can increase affordability and reduce loan size.
  • Mortgage interest rate: Higher rates reduce the home price you can comfortably afford.
  • Property taxes and insurance: These costs are part of your monthly housing expense and directly impact affordability.
  • Loan term: A longer term may lower monthly payments, while a shorter term usually raises them.

Mortgage Affordability Calculator FAQs

How much mortgage can I afford based on my salary?

Your salary is one of the biggest factors in mortgage affordability, but lenders also look at monthly debts, down payment, interest rate, taxes, insurance, and your debt-to-income ratio. This calculator combines those inputs to estimate a more realistic maximum home price.

What is the 28/36 rule in mortgage affordability?

The 28/36 rule is a common lending guideline. It suggests spending no more than 28% of gross monthly income on housing costs and no more than 36% on total debt payments combined. This calculator uses that framework to estimate affordability.

Does down payment affect how much house I can afford?

Yes. A larger down payment reduces the loan amount you need, which can lower your monthly mortgage payment and increase your buying power. It may also help you avoid private mortgage insurance in some situations.

Do property taxes and insurance matter in affordability?

Absolutely. Property taxes and homeowners insurance are part of your total monthly housing cost. Even if the mortgage principal and interest seem affordable, higher tax or insurance costs can reduce the home price you can reasonably afford.

Is this calculator the same as a mortgage pre-approval?

No. This is an estimate only. A mortgage pre-approval is issued by a lender after reviewing your income, debts, credit profile, assets, and other documentation. Use this calculator to plan, then confirm numbers with a lender.

What credit score do I need to buy a house?

Minimum credit score requirements depend on the loan type and lender. Conventional, FHA, VA, and other mortgage products can each have different standards. A stronger credit score may improve approval odds and help you qualify for better rates.