Estimate how much house you can afford based on income and debt.
A reliable house affordability calculator helps you move from dreaming to planning by estimating what you can comfortably spend based on income, debts, and down payment. Below you'll find clear steps, useful tools, and smart tips to interpret results so you can shop with confidence.
Begin by listing income, recurring debts, and monthly expenses. Simple online tools can answer the common question of how much house you can afford by combining your salary, interest rates, and loan terms. If you prefer manual checks, compare monthly mortgage estimates with your budget and keep housing costs under about 28–31% of gross pay for safety.
A Down Payment Calculator helps you see how different down payment amounts change monthly payments and private mortgage insurance requirements. Use this short checklist to decide your ideal down payment: Target at least 20% to avoid PMI and lower interest costs; Factor in closing costs and reserves; Use a mortgage calculator to compare amortization schedules and the total interest paid over time.
A dedicated mortgage affordability calculator takes into account taxes, insurance, and interest. If you’re asking how much mortgage can i afford or trying to answer i make $70,000 a year; how much house can i afford, include these steps: run a salary calculator to determine take-home pay, input debts into a dti calculator to check your debt-to-income ratio, and then plug those numbers into a mortgage tool. For veterans, a VA home loan calculator will show how eligibility affects buying power.
To explore options, try several calculators and compare outputs. Useful, free resources include: Financial calculator online for free for quick math and scenario testing; Salary needed to buy a house calculator to estimate the income required for target purchase prices. The Zillow affordability calculator, along with other market-specific tools, helps factor in local taxes and home price trends.
These give perspective: a The "How much loan can I qualify for" calculator will often show different maximum amounts based on the rules of various lenders.