House Affordability Calculator
How much house can you afford? Enter income, debts, down payment and rate to get your max monthly payment, loan and home price — free, no sign-up.
About this tool
The biggest money question most families ever ask is also the simplest: how much house can we actually afford? Lenders answer it with two guardrails — housing costs should stay under 28% of gross income, and all debts combined under 36%. This calculator applies exactly that logic.
Enter your income, current monthly debts, down payment, interest rate and term to get three numbers: the maximum monthly housing payment a lender would allow, the biggest loan that payment supports, and the maximum home price.
How to use
Fill in your gross annual household income, total monthly debt payments (car loans, cards, student loans — not rent), your down payment, the mortgage rate you expect, and the loan term. Press Calculate Affordability.
The result is a lender-style ceiling, not a recommendation. Many buyers are happier staying below the maximum — the calculator shows the limit so you can choose your comfort zone under it.
The math behind it
The 28/36 rule: max housing payment = the smaller of 28% of monthly gross income and 36% of monthly income minus existing debts. That payment is converted to a loan with the amortization formula: Loan = Payment × (1 − (1+r)^−n) / r, then the down payment is added for the price.
Example: $120,000 income, $500 debts, $40,000 down, 6.5% for 30 years → max payment $2,800/mo, max loan about $442,990, max price about $482,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 28/36 rule?
Should I use gross or net income?
Does this include property tax and insurance?
Is a bigger down payment always better?
How much house can I afford on $60,000 a year?
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