Skip to content
DDebtBloom

Home & Mortgage

Home Affordability Calculator

Find the home price your income, debts, and down payment can comfortably support — using the same debt-to-income logic lenders use to approve a mortgage.

Your finances

We use a conservative 36% debt-to-income limit and a 30-year loan.

Car, cards, student loans.

%
%

% of home value

What you can afford

Estimated home price you can afford

$318,000

about $2,198.65/mo all-in · $278,000 loan

Down payment

$40,000

Loan amount

$278,000

Max housing budget

$2,200.00

A guideline, not a limit lenders will enforce exactly. Some approve higher ratios; buying below your max leaves breathing room for maintenance, savings, and life.

Start with the payment, not the price

Lenders don't approve a home price — they approve a monthly payment based on your income and existing debts. This calculator flips that around: it finds the payment you can support, then works out the home price that fits it at today's rates.

The 28/36 guideline

A widely used rule keeps housing costs under 28% of gross income and total debt under 36%. Staying inside those lines keeps your debt-to-income ratio healthy and leaves room to live. Cutting existing debt is often the fastest way to afford more house.

Next steps

Once you have a target price, estimate the full payment — taxes, insurance, and PMI included — with the mortgage calculator, and budget for closing costs. Still deciding whether to buy at all? Compare with the rent vs. buy calculator.

Related calculators

Mortgage CalculatorFull monthly payment — principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and PMI.Debt-to-Income Ratio CalculatorFind your DTI — the number lenders use to approve loans and mortgages.Rent vs. Buy CalculatorCompare the true cost of renting against buying over time.Refinance CalculatorBreak-even point and lifetime savings from refinancing your mortgage.

Frequently asked questions

How much house can I afford?
A common guideline is that your total monthly debt — including the new housing payment — should stay under about 36% of gross income, and housing alone under about 28%. This calculator works backward from that limit, your down payment, and current rates to a home price.
What debts count against affordability?
Recurring monthly obligations: car loans, minimum credit card payments, student loans, and other installment loans. The more you owe elsewhere, the less room there is for a mortgage payment.
Should I buy at my maximum?
Usually not. Buying below your maximum leaves margin for maintenance, property-tax increases, and saving. Many buyers deliberately target a payment well under the lender’s ceiling.
How does my down payment change what I can afford?
A larger down payment means a smaller loan for the same home price, which lowers the monthly payment and can raise the price you qualify for. It can also help you avoid PMI at 20% down.