House Affordability Calculator
How much house can you actually afford? Uses the 28/36 rule — same logic your lender uses.
You can afford
Maximum home price
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Loan amount
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Monthly housing payment
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28% rule cap (housing)
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36% rule cap (all debt)
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LTV
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PMI?
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The 28/36 rule
Lenders cap two ratios when deciding what you qualify for:
- Front-end (28%) — Total housing payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, PMI, HOA) shouldn't exceed 28% of your gross monthly income.
- Back-end (36%) — Total monthly debt obligations (housing + all other debt) shouldn't exceed 36% of gross monthly income.
The tighter of the two binds. Lots of existing debt? The back-end limit hits first. No other debts? Front-end determines your ceiling.
What's actually a "good" budget
The 28/36 rule is what lenders will let you do. Many financial advisors recommend tighter — around 25% of gross or 30% of net for housing. That leaves room for retirement savings, emergencies, and the inevitable surprise expense.