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Home Affordability Calculator

How much house can you actually afford? This applies the lender's 28/36 debt-to-income rule to your full monthly cost - mortgage, tax and insurance - and shows a safe range, not just the maximum a bank would allow.

Your finances
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Loan & costs
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yr
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You can afford up to
$327,479
Comfortable around $297,759 · limited by your housing ratio · payment $2,100/mo
Monthly payment breakdown (PITI)
Mortgage (P&I) $1,691Property tax $273Insurance $136
Stress test
If rates rise to 8.5%$286,532max price
If income drops 20%$272,002max price
Max loan amount$267,479
Down payment$60,000
Max monthly housing payment$2,100
Housing / total DTI used28% / 33.33%

Uses the 28/36 debt-to-income convention against full PITI, solved in closed form. Lenders vary and consider credit, reserves and loan type; this is an estimate, not a mortgage offer or financial advice.

RELATED GUIDERenting vs buying a home: the complete guideThe break-even, the hidden costs of owning, and the opportunity cost of a down payment.

Frequently asked

How much house can I afford on my income?

A common rule of thumb is that your total housing payment should not exceed about 28% of your gross monthly income (the front-end ratio), and all your debt payments together should stay under about 36% (the back-end ratio). This calculator applies both limits, works out which one binds for you, and then solves for the highest home price that keeps you inside them - including property tax, insurance and any HOA, not just the mortgage.

What is the 28/36 rule?

It is the pair of debt-to-income limits most lenders use. The 28 is the front-end ratio: housing costs should be at most 28% of gross monthly income. The 36 is the back-end ratio: housing plus every other debt payment (car, student, credit cards) should be at most 36%. If you carry a lot of other debt, the back-end ratio becomes the binding constraint and lowers what you can borrow - which is exactly why paying down debt first raises your home budget.

What does PITI mean?

PITI is the full monthly cost of owning: Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance - plus HOA where it applies. Affordability calculators that only show principal and interest understate the true payment badly, because property tax and insurance can add hundreds a month. This tool sizes your budget against the complete PITI, so the number you see is the number you would actually pay.

Why does the tool show a "comfortable" price below the maximum?

The maximum is the most a lender might allow; it is not necessarily wise to borrow all of it. The comfortable figure uses tighter ratios (about 25% front-end) to leave room for saving, emergencies and life. Borrowing to your absolute limit leaves you "house poor" - technically a homeowner, but with no slack. The gap between the two numbers is your margin of safety.

What is the stress test for?

A payment you can just afford today can become unaffordable if rates rise before you lock, or if your income falls. The stress test re-runs your budget with a 2-percentage-point higher rate and with a 20% income drop, so you can see how fragile or robust your maximum is. If a modest rate rise slashes your budget, buying at the top of your range is risky.

Can Alvest help me plan a home purchase?

Yes. Alvest tracks your income, debts, savings and investments together, so you can see how a down payment or a mortgage reshapes your whole financial picture and net worth - not just the monthly payment. You can start free.