Home Affordability Calculator.
How much house can you afford? Enter your income and debts to get a budget based on the 28/36 rule and current mortgage rates.
Max Home Price
Max Monthly Payment
28/36 Rule Breakdown
Estimate only. Actual approval depends on credit score, employment history, down payment %, and lender guidelines. Property taxes and insurance not included in payment shown.
Runs entirely in your browser. The values you enter never leave your device — there is no request to our server and nothing is stored. How we handle data
The 28/36 Rule Explained
The 28/36 rule is a classic mortgage qualification guideline used by lenders and financial planners to prevent over-borrowing. Both constraints apply — your monthly housing payment must pass both tests.
Modern DTI Guidelines
Modern lenders often allow higher debt-to-income ratios, but lower is safer:
Internal Navigation
How Much House Can You Afford? The 28/36 Rule Methodology.
The Calculation Branch
Industrial Standards.
This calculator uses the gross income-based 28/36 rule and converts the maximum monthly payment to a purchase price using the standard amortization formula. The result is your estimated maximum — a conservative guideline, not a guarantee of approval. Actual approval depends on credit score, employment history, loan type, and individual lender guidelines.
In-Depth Analysis & Reference Data
The 28/36 rule uses gross income (before taxes), but your actual take-home pay is what matters for your budget. A household earning $100,000 gross takes home roughly $72,000–$78,000 after taxes. The 28% housing rule allows $2,333/month in housing costs, which represents about 38% of take-home pay — a significant portion. Many financial planners now recommend the 25/25 rule using take-home pay instead, which is more conservative and leaves more room for savings and emergency funds.
Registry Questions & FAQ.
Does PMI affect affordability?
Yes. Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is required when your down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price. PMI typically costs 0.5–1.5% of the loan amount annually, added to your monthly payment. On a $300,000 loan, PMI of 1% adds $250/month. This reduces the home price you can afford while staying within the 28% guideline. Once you reach 20% equity, you can request PMI cancellation.
What credit score do I need to buy a house?
Conventional loans typically require a minimum 620 credit score. FHA loans allow scores down to 580 (with 3.5% down) or 500 (with 10% down). VA loans have no minimum credit score requirement. The best mortgage rates go to borrowers with scores above 740 — the difference between a 680 and 760 score can mean 0.5–1% higher rate, adding tens of thousands in total interest on a large mortgage.
Estimates for planning. Always confirm against an authoritative source.