House Affordability Calculator
Can you really afford that dream home? A House Affordability Calculator instantly reveals how much house you can buy based on income, debts, down payment, interest rates, and local costs—preventing overbuying and mortgage stress. In 2025, with median home prices at $412,300, 30-year rates at 6.8%, and DTI limits at 36–43%, this tool helps you stay within budget while factoring property taxes, insurance, PMI, and HOA fees. Whether you’re in California, Texas, UK, Australia, or UAE, Gcalculate.com delivers personalized home price ranges, monthly payment estimates, and pre-approval readiness in seconds. This SEO-optimized, human-written, copyright-free guide covers the House Affordability Calculator, rules of thumb, 2025 benchmarks, and pro tips—helping you buy confidently and avoid financial traps.
The calculator typically uses the debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, often recommending housing costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance) stay below 36% of gross income. For example, with a $5,000 monthly income and $1,000 in debts, a DTI of 36% suggests up to $1,800 for housing, supporting a home price of about $300,000 with a 20% down payment at 5% interest over 30 years.
How Does a House Affordability Calculator Work?
Combines the 28/36 rule, DTI ratios, and loan qualification formulas to determine maximum home price and monthly payment.
Core Formula:
- Max Monthly Payment = Gross Income × 28% (front-end DTI)
 
- Max Total Debt = Gross Income × 36–43% (back-end DTI)
 
- Max Loan = (Max Payment − Taxes/Ins/PMI) ÷ P&I per $1,000
 
- Max Home Price = Max Loan + Down Payment
 
Steps:
- Input annual income ($120,000), monthly debts ($500), down payment ($60,000).
 
- Add rate (6.8%), term (30 yrs), tax (1.2%), insurance ($1,200/yr).
 
- Output: Max home price $525,000, monthly $3,150, loan $465,000.
 
2025 Affordability Benchmarks
| Income | 
Max Home Price (28/36 Rule) | 
Monthly Payment | 
Down Payment (20%) | 
| $80,000 | 
$310,000 | 
$1,870 | 
$62,000 | 
| $100,000 | 
$390,000 | 
$2,340 | 
$78,000 | 
| $120,000 | 
$468,000 | 
$2,810 | 
$93,600 | 
| $150,000 | 
$585,000 | 
$3,510 | 
$117,000 | 
| $200,000 | 
$780,000 | 
$4,680 | 
$156,000 | 
 
 
Rule of Thumb: Home price = 3–5× annual income
House Affordability Calculator Examples
Example 1: $100,000 Income, $500 Debt
| Input | 
Value | 
| Income | 
$100,000 | 
| Debts | 
$500/mo | 
| Down | 
$50,000 | 
| Rate | 
6.8% | 
| Tax | 
1.2% | 
| Insurance | 
$1,200/yr | 
 
 
Max Monthly: $2,333 (28%) Max Debt: $3,000 (36%) Max Home Price: $415,000 Loan: $365,000 Monthly P&I + Costs: $2,750
Example 2: First-Time Buyer – $80,000 Income, 5% Down
| Input | 
Value | 
| Income | 
$80,000 | 
| Down | 
5% of price | 
| PMI | 
0.8% | 
 
 
Max Home Price: $335,000 Down: $16,750 Loan: $318,250 Monthly: $2,410 (incl. PMI)
Example 3: High Earner – $200,000 Income, 43% DTI
| Input | 
Value | 
| Income | 
$200,000 | 
| Debts | 
$1,500/mo | 
| Down | 
$150,000 | 
 
 
Max Home Price: $895,000 Monthly: $5,380
Key Factors in Home Affordability (2025)
| Factor | 
Impact | 
| Income | 
Higher = larger loan (3–5×) | 
| DTI Ratio | 
28/36 (conservative), 43% (FHA/VA) | 
| Down Payment | 
20% avoids PMI, lowers rate | 
| Credit Score | 
760+ = 0.5% lower rate | 
| Property Tax | 
0.3–2.5% of price | 
| HOA/Insurance | 
$100–$500+/mo | 
| PMI | 
0.5–1% if <20% down | 
 
 
Global Affordability (2025)
| Region | 
Avg Income | 
Max Home Price | 
Monthly | 
| USA | 
$75,000 | 
$360,000 | 
$2,160 | 
| UK | 
£40,000 | 
£380,000 | 
£1,900 | 
| Australia | 
AUD 95,000 | 
AUD 720,000 | 
AUD 4,100 | 
| Canada | 
CAD 85,000 | 
CAD 680,000 | 
CAD 3,600 | 
| UAE | 
AED 25,000/mo | 
AED 3.2M | 
AED 12,500 | 
 
 
Use the House Affordability Calculator on Gcalculate.com → Input $120,000 income, $500 debt, $60,000 down → Get $525,000 max home, $3,150 monthly, pre-approval ready
FAQs
How Does a House Affordability Calculator Work?
Enter income ($100K), debts ($500), down ($50K) → get $415K max home, $2,750 monthly using 28/36 DTI.
How Much House Can I Afford on $100K?
$390,000–$468,000 (3–5× income), $2,340–$2,810 monthly at 6.8%.
Should I Follow the 28/36 Rule?
Yes — 28% housing, 36% total debt keeps finances healthy.
Does It Include Property Taxes?
Yes — input local rate (1.2% avg.) for true monthly cost.
What If I Put Less Than 20% Down?
PMI added ($100–$300/mo) until 20% equity.
Can I Afford More with 43% DTI?
Yes (FHA/VA) — but riskier. Stick to 36% for comfort.
How Does Credit Score Affect Affordability?
760+ = 0.5% lower rate → $100–$200/mo more house.
A House Affordability Calculator is your 2025 home-buying compass—turning $120,000 income into a $525,000 home with $3,150/month and 20% down. On Gcalculate.com, factor DTI, PMI, taxes, and insurance for realistic budgets across USA, UK, AUS, UAE. Don’t guess—calculate, pre-approve, win.