Reviewed August 9, 2026 · 28% and 43% are planning scenarios, not universal approval limits
How Much House Can I Afford? Calculator
Estimate a home-price range from your income, recurring debt, down payment, rate and property-tax assumptions. The 28% and 43% outputs are planning scenarios — not universal mortgage approval limits.
Your assumptions
Includes illustrative 0.5% annual PMI above 80% LTV. Obtain a lender quote; credit profile is informational and not a pricing or approval model.
28% housing-cost scenario
$290,426
A conservative planning output based on housing cost at 28% of gross monthly income.
43% total-debt scenario
$290,426
A stretch planning output based on total debt at 43% — not a current General QM maximum or approval guarantee.
Debt-to-Income Snapshot
Housing / gross income
28.0%
Total debt / gross income
34.7%
The CFPB removed the former fixed 43% DTI cap from the General Qualified Mortgage definition and replaced it with price-based thresholds. Actual underwriting varies by program and lender.
Planning Output
Explore affordability by salary
Compare sample budgets for common income levels. Results also depend on monthly debts, down payment, rates, taxes and insurance.
- $60,000 salary scenario
- $75,000 salary scenario
- $100,000 salary scenario
- $120,000 salary scenario
- $150,000 salary scenario
- $200,000 salary scenario
See all examples in the affordability by salary hub.
How much mortgage and house can you afford?
Quick answer: Affordability depends on income, recurring debt, down payment, rate, term, taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance, HOA dues and the monthly budget you choose. The calculator is a planning range, not a preapproval or promise of a loan amount.
28/36 is a planning framework
The ratios can help create a first estimate, but they are not universal approval limits and do not replace program-specific underwriting.
Cash needed matters
Down payment, closing costs, reserves, repairs and moving expenses can limit a purchase even when the monthly payment appears manageable.
Stress-test the payment
Try a higher interest rate, monthly mortgage payment, insurance premium, tax bill or HOA amount. Include private mortgage insurance for a low-down-payment conventional loan and compare an FHA loan separately.
Scenarios to calculate
- Estimate a home price from monthly income and debt.
- Compare 3%, 5%, 10% and 20% down-payment scenarios.
- Test how mortgage rates and property taxes change the affordable range.
Next: calculate debt-to-income ratio, understand preapproval and prequalification, plan a down payment.
How Much House Can I Afford?
A home affordability calculator estimates a price range from your gross income, recurring monthly debt, down payment, mortgage rate, loan term, property taxes and other housing costs. The result is a planning estimate rather than a lender preapproval.
What do the 28% and 43% scenarios mean?
USFinNexus shows a conservative 28% housing-cost scenario and a 43% total-debt scenario because these percentages are familiar planning references. They are not universal mortgage approval rules. The CFPB's current General Qualified Mortgage definition no longer uses the former fixed 43% DTI cap; it uses price-based thresholds. Loan programs, automated underwriting and individual lenders may apply different DTI requirements.
What changes how much home you can afford?
- Interest rate: a higher rate increases the payment supported by the same loan amount.
- Down payment: a larger down payment reduces the amount financed and can change mortgage-insurance costs.
- Property taxes and insurance: these can materially change the monthly housing budget even when principal and interest are unchanged.
- Existing debts: required monthly obligations reduce the room available in a total-debt scenario.
- Loan program: conventional, FHA, VA and USDA underwriting rules differ.
2026 loan-limit context
For 2026, the FHFA baseline conforming limit for a one-unit property in most U.S. counties is $832,750. HUD's 2026 FHA one-unit national floor is $541,287. Location-specific limits can be higher, so these figures are context rather than a determination of what you personally qualify to borrow.
Affordability is different from maximum approval
A lender can potentially approve a payment that is uncomfortable for your household budget. Consider emergency savings, maintenance, utilities, childcare, transportation, retirement contributions and other goals that are not captured by a simple mortgage DTI calculation.
Related calculators
Estimate the payment on a specific property with the Mortgage Calculator, examine recurring debt with the Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator, or compare loan structures with the FHA, VA & USDA Loan Calculator.
Source note
2026 loan-limit figures are based on FHFA and HUD publications. The description of General Qualified Mortgage DTI treatment is based on the CFPB rule that replaced the former fixed 43% DTI threshold with price-based thresholds. Reviewed August 7, 2026.
Home Affordability Calculator FAQs
How does a home affordability calculator work?
It combines gross income, recurring debt, a proposed housing-payment share, down payment, mortgage rate, loan term, property taxes and other assumptions to estimate a home-price range. It is a planning estimate, not a lender preapproval.
Is 43% DTI the current CFPB Qualified Mortgage maximum?
No. The CFPB removed the former fixed 43% DTI limit from the General Qualified Mortgage definition and replaced it with price-based thresholds. Specific loan programs, automated underwriting systems and lenders can use different DTI requirements.
Why does this calculator show 28% and 43%?
They are familiar planning reference points. The 28% output models a more conservative housing-cost share and the 43% output models a higher total-debt scenario. Neither percentage guarantees mortgage approval or defines a universal current lending limit.
Does a larger down payment increase affordability?
A larger down payment generally reduces the amount financed and the monthly principal-and-interest payment for the same home price. It can also affect mortgage-insurance costs. The actual effect depends on the loan program, rate, taxes, insurance and other factors.
What should I include in recurring monthly debt?
For a planning estimate, include required recurring obligations such as auto loans, student loans and minimum revolving-debt payments. Mortgage underwriting can count certain obligations and income differently, so a lender-calculated DTI can differ from this tool.
Continue your financial research
Use these closely related USFinNexus guides and tools to plan your next step.
Separate lender qualification from your household budget with this home-affordability planning guide.
If you are using percentage rules, see why 28/36 is a planning scenario rather than an approval guarantee.
Before you commit to a purchase, understand prequalification versus mortgage preapproval.
Related guides
Related calculators
- Mortgage CalculatorEstimate payment, interest and amortization.
- DTI CalculatorCheck housing and total debt-to-income ratios.
- Down Payment CalculatorPlan savings milestones for a home purchase.
Illustrative comparison scenarios
| Annual salary | Price at 6.5% | Price at 7% |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $167,863 | $160,803 |
| $75,000 | $264,177 | $253,068 |
| $100,000 | $360,492 | $345,332 |
| $150,000 | $553,121 | $529,860 |
| $250,000 | $938,379 | $898,917 |
Educational scenarios, not quotes, approvals, investment forecasts or tax advice. See methodology and limitations.