Home Affordability Calculator

What the bank says you can afford vs. what you can comfortably pay each month

Your Financial Snapshot

$6,250/month gross

After taxes and deductions

Car, student loans, credit cards

Tax: 1.1% | Insurance: 0.35%

6.500%

What You Can Afford: Three Perspectives

The bank will lend you more than you should probably borrow. Here are three ways to think about it.

Bank Maximum

28% of gross income (front-end DTI)

Risky

$279,335

Maximum home price

Mortgage P&I$1,412
Property Tax$256
Insurance$81
HOA$50
Maintenance$233
Total Monthly$2,033
% of take-home41%

Comfortable

25% of take-home pay

Comfortable

$199,525

Maximum home price

Mortgage P&I$1,009
Property Tax$183
Insurance$58
HOA$50
Maintenance$166
Total Monthly$1,466
% of take-home29%

Stretch Budget

33% of take-home pay

Stretched

$263,373

Maximum home price

Mortgage P&I$1,332
Property Tax$241
Insurance$77
HOA$50
Maintenance$219
Total Monthly$1,919
% of take-home38%
Warning: The bank's maximum would consume 41% of your take-home pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping total housing costs below 30% of gross income. Consider the “Comfortable” scenario instead.

Full Monthly Budget Breakdown

Based on the “Comfortable” home price of $199,525 - here's how your monthly budget looks.

Mortgage P&I$1,00920%
Property Tax$1834%
Insurance$581%
Maintenance$1663%
HOA$501%
Utilities$2505%
Debt Payments$50010%
Remaining$2,78456%

The Hidden Costs of Homeownership

Most first-time buyers only think about the mortgage payment. Here's the full picture.

CostMonthlyAnnual
Mortgage (P&I)$1,009$12,107
Property Taxoften overlooked$183$2,195
Homeowner's Insuranceoften overlooked$58$698
Maintenance & Repairsoften overlooked$166$1,995
HOA Feesoften overlooked$50$600
Utilities (est.)often overlooked$250$3,000
Total$1,716$20,595
That's $1,716/month - $707 more than just the mortgage payment alone.
Your current rent is $1,800. Owning would cost $84 less per month.

Savings Needed to Buy

For the “Comfortable” home price of $199,525, here's what you need saved up.

5% Down Payment

$9,976 down on $199,525

Down Payment$9,976
Closing Costs (~4%)$7,981
Emergency Fund (6mo)$10,298
Moving Costs$3,000
Total Needed$31,255

You have enough saved! ($28,745 surplus)

192% saved

10% Down Payment

$19,953 down on $199,525

Down Payment$19,953
Closing Costs (~4%)$7,981
Emergency Fund (6mo)$10,298
Moving Costs$3,000
Total Needed$41,231

You have enough saved! ($18,769 surplus)

146% saved

20% Down Payment

$39,905 down on $199,525

Down Payment$39,905
Closing Costs (~4%)$7,981
Emergency Fund (6mo)$10,298
Moving Costs$3,000
Total Needed$61,184

You need $1,184 more

At ~$1,200/mo savings rate: 1 months

98% saved

Price-to-Income Ratio

A simple but powerful metric. How many years of income does the home cost?

2.7x

your annual income

Price-to-Income RatioGreen zone
06x
<3x: Comfortable
3-4x: Caution
>4x: Stretched

The recommended guideline is 3x annual income or less. The average American home is approximately 4.5x median income. At $199,525, yours would be 2.7x.

Rent vs Buy: Quick Answer

Based on your income, the affordable home price, and your current rent.

Current Rent

$1,800

per month

Comfortable Ownership Cost

$1,716

per month (all-in)

At your income level and current rates, buying could make financial sense at this level.

SALT deduction cap: $40,000. Calculations are estimates for educational purposes only.