Get a maximum home price based on the 28/36 rule that lenders actually apply.
Home Buying
Home affordability calculator that shows how much house you can really afford.
Enter your income, debts, down payment, interest rate, and taxes to see maximum home price, monthly PITI payment, DTI ratios, and whether you qualify under the 28/36 rule.
Direct answerA home affordability calculator determines the maximum home price you can afford based on your income, existing debts, down payment, mortgage rate, property taxes, and insurance. It applies the 28/36 DTI rule that most conventional lenders require.
Browser-first workflow28/36 rule built inFull PITI breakdown
1. Enter your details
CalculatorEnter your income, existing debts, down payment, and mortgage details to calculate your maximum affordable home price.
Enter your financial details or load a sample scenario to see how much home you can afford.
Live Tool
Home Affordability Calculator in the browser
Enter your financial details to see how much home you can afford.
Privacy-first workflow
This page runs in the browser. No financial data is sent to any server.
What this home affordability calculator solves
The biggest financial mistake in home buying is overextending. This calculator applies the same DTI rules lenders use so you know your ceiling before you start shopping.
See the full PITI payment including taxes, insurance, and HOA, not just principal and interest.
Model how interest rate changes affect your maximum affordable price and monthly payment.
Key signals
Maximum home price, monthly payment, front-end and back-end DTI ratios.
Decision support
Guidance on affordability, down payment impact, and rate sensitivity.
Detailed breakdown
Full PITI breakdown with principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA detail.
Uses the same DTI thresholds that conventional lenders require for mortgage qualification.
Principal, interest, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and HOA fees included in the monthly payment.
See how different down payment amounts change your maximum affordable price and monthly cost.
Model the effect of interest rate changes on affordability and monthly payment.
Guide Below The Tool
How to use the home affordability calculator well
Key concepts, practical steps, and guidance for determining how much house you can afford.
A home affordability calculator determines the maximum home price you can afford based on income, debts, down payment, mortgage rate, taxes, and insurance, applying the 28/36 DTI rule used by conventional lenders.
First-time home buyers, anyone relocating, real estate agents helping clients set budgets, and financial planners modeling home purchase scenarios.
Gross income sets the ceiling. Existing debts reduce it. Interest rate determines how much principal a given monthly payment supports. Down payment determines the loan amount relative to home price.
Workflow
Four practical steps
Use this calculator before talking to a lender to know your range, then get pre-approved for confirmation.
1
Enter your gross annual income.Use household income if buying jointly. Lenders use gross (pre-tax) income for DTI calculations.
2
Enter existing monthly debts.Include car payments, student loans, credit card minimums, and any other recurring obligations.
3
Set down payment and mortgage details.Enter your available down payment, expected interest rate, and preferred loan term (15 or 30 years).
4
Review maximum price and monthly payment.Compare the calculator's output with your comfortable monthly budget. Qualifying for a price does not mean you should spend it.
Review Checklist
What to validate first
Key factors that affect home affordability beyond the basic calculation.
Total housing costs (PITI + HOA) should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income. This is the front-end or housing ratio.
Total debt payments (housing + all other debts) should not exceed 36% of gross monthly income. Some loan programs allow up to 43-45%.
Private mortgage insurance adds 0.5-1% of the loan amount annually if you put less than 20% down. This reduces affordability.
Property tax rates vary significantly by location, from under 0.5% in Hawaii to over 2% in New Jersey and Illinois.
Budget 2-5% of the home price for closing costs in addition to your down payment. These are due at closing.
Just because you qualify for a certain amount does not mean it is comfortable. Many advisors suggest targeting 20-25% of take-home pay for housing.
Why This Page Exists
Built to give you a lender-ready affordability number before you start shopping
Most home affordability tools are embedded in mortgage originator sites that want your lead data. This page calculates the same number without requiring any personal information.
Get your affordability number without entering email, phone, or any personal information.
See PITI + HOA instead of just the mortgage payment. Buyers who only see P&I often underestimate total monthly cost.
Ledger Summit can build mortgage and real estate planning tools. This page delivers value right now.
FAQ
Home affordability calculator questions, answered directly
Short answers for searchers and answer engines.
Under the 28/36 rule, housing costs should not exceed 28% of gross income and total debts should not exceed 36%. The exact amount depends on income, debts, down payment, rate, taxes, and insurance.
The 28/36 rule says housing costs should be under 28% of gross income (front-end) and total debt under 36% (back-end). Most conventional lenders use these thresholds.
A larger down payment reduces the loan amount, lowering monthly payments and allowing a higher purchase price within the same DTI limit. 20%+ eliminates PMI.
PITI: Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance. Many homes also have HOA fees and PMI if less than 20% down.
No. All calculations run in your browser. No financial data is sent to any server.
Next Step
Need mortgage planning tools for your practice?
Use the free calculator for personal home affordability analysis. If you need client-facing mortgage tools or real estate planning dashboards, Ledger Summit can build the next layer.
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