Enter income, monthly debts, and down payment to estimate house affordability using common lender guidelines.
Standard Rule Max Home Price
$230,430.60
Housing budget about $1,400.00/month after debts
28/36 rule estimate
Next: estimate the monthly payment and cash needed at closing for your target price.
28/36 estimate ($230,430.60) vs 3x income shortcut ($180,000.00)—compare both before setting a search range.
28/36 Rule
Standard lender affordability check.
3x Income Rule
Fast estimate before debt checks.
43% DTI Rule
Upper lender limit with less cushion.
28/36 Rule
Standard lender affordability check.
3x Income Rule
Fast estimate before debt checks.
43% DTI Rule
Upper lender limit with less cushion.
Enter gross or take-home income, its monthly or annual frequency, existing required monthly debt payments, down payment, interest rate, and loan term. Other debts matter because they reduce room for a new housing payment. Use the down payment you could actually provide, not an assumed lender minimum.
For gross income, the tool uses the smaller of 28% of monthly income or the room left under a 36% total-debt comparison for principal and interest. It separately shows a 43% debt comparison and three-times-annual-income estimate. For take-home income, it uses 25% of monthly pay. The entered rate, term, and down payment convert payment capacity into price estimates.
These are planning comparisons, not lender approval limits or a recommended purchase price. The displayed price depends on rate, term, and down payment. Taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance, HOA dues, maintenance, and closing cash can make a home less affordable than the principal-and-interest estimate suggests.
The payment-to-price conversion assumes a fixed rate and term. It treats down payment as available cash and does not reserve any of it for closing costs or repairs.