Home Affordability Calculator
How much house you can afford using the standard 28/36 debt-to-income rule.
Every calculation runs locally in your browser. Lenders also weigh credit score, employment history, and other factors this simple rule doesn't capture — treat this as a starting estimate, not a pre-approval.
Estimated maximum home price
$346,929
Max monthly housing payment
$2,240
28% front-end cap
Max loan amount
$306,929
For informational and educational purposes only — not financial, investment, or tax advice, and not a substitute for consulting a qualified professional about your specific situation. TrueMeasureKit is not liable for decisions made based on these results. See our Terms of Service.
The 28/36 rule lenders actually use
Most conventional lenders cap your housing payment at 28% of gross monthly income (the "front-end" ratio) and your total debt payments — housing plus car loans, student loans, credit cards, and everything else — at 36% (the "back-end" ratio). Whichever cap is more restrictive wins. Existing debt eats directly into your housing budget: two people with identical income but different car payments will qualify for different home prices, which is why paying down other debt before house-hunting can meaningfully raise what you can afford.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 28/36 rule this calculator uses?
A conventional lending guideline: housing costs shouldn't exceed 28% of gross monthly income, and total debt payments (housing plus everything else) shouldn't exceed 36%. Many lenders now qualify buyers above these thresholds, but they remain a conservative benchmark.
Does this account for my existing debts, like a car loan or student loans?
The 36% back-end figure is meant to, so if you're entering it, include your other monthly debt payments — otherwise the affordability estimate will be optimistic compared to what a lender calculates.
Why does a bigger down payment increase what I can afford?
A larger down payment means less principal to borrow, which lowers the monthly mortgage payment for the same home price — leaving more room under the 28% housing-cost threshold for a higher-priced home.