House Affordability Calculator
Find out how much house you can afford based on your annual income, monthly debts, down payment, and interest rate. Uses the 28/36 rule used by most lenders. Free and private.
How Home Affordability Is Calculated
Lenders use two key ratios to determine how much you can borrow. The "front-end ratio" (28% rule) says your housing costs should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income. The "back-end ratio" (36% rule) says total debts (housing + all other debts) should not exceed 36%. This calculator uses both rules and shows you the lower (more conservative) result.
Affordability Rules
Max Housing Payment = Gross Monthly Income × 0.28
Max Total Debt Payment = Gross Monthly Income × 0.36
Max Housing (back-end) = Max Total Debt − Existing Monthly Debts
Max Home Price = Max Loan Amount + Down Payment
Example
$85,000 income, $500/mo debts, 20% down, 6.5% rate, 30 years
- Max home price: approximately $320,000-$350,000
The 28/36 Rule Explained
The 28/36 rule is a guideline, not a hard rule. Some lenders allow higher ratios (especially FHA loans at 43% back-end). However, staying within 28/36 gives you a comfortable margin and lower financial stress.
Tips for Getting Accurate Results
For the most accurate results, use up-to-date numbers from official sources. Double-check your inputs before calculating — small errors in the starting values can lead to significantly different outputs. If you are comparing scenarios, keep all variables the same except the one you are testing. Save or screenshot your results for future reference. This calculator uses standard formulas and is designed to give you a reliable quick estimate, though professional advice may be needed for complex situations.
Who Uses House Affordability Calculator
This tool is used by anyone who needs a quick, reliable way to get results without downloading software or creating accounts. Students, professionals, hobbyists, and curious minds all benefit from having instant access to specialized tools in their browser. The privacy-first approach — where no data leaves your device — makes it suitable for sensitive information. Bookmark this page and return whenever you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 28/36 rule?
The 28/36 rule says your housing costs should be under 28% of gross income, and total debts under 36%. Most conventional lenders use these guidelines.
Does this include property tax and insurance?
This calculates principal and interest only. Your actual housing cost includes property tax, insurance, PMI, and possibly HOA fees. Budget an additional 20-30% on top of P&I for these costs.
Can I afford more with an FHA loan?
FHA loans allow higher debt-to-income ratios (up to 43-50%), so you may qualify for a larger loan. However, higher DTI means more financial stress. This calculator uses the conservative 28/36 guideline.
Is House Affordability Calculator free to use?
Yes, House Affordability Calculator is completely free with no sign-up, no login, and no hidden fees. The tool runs entirely in your browser — your data never leaves your device.
Is my data safe when using this tool?
Yes. This tool runs 100% in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to any server, stored in any database, or shared with any third party. When you close the page, processing stops immediately.