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US Affordability Calculator

Find out how much home you can afford in the United States based on your income, debts, and current interest rates.

Your Income & Debts

Combined income before taxes

$
$30,000$1,000,000

Car loans, student loans, credit card minimums, etc.

$
$0$10,000
$
$10,000$2,000,000

Monthly Housing Costs

Annual property tax ÷ 12

$
$0$3,000

Estimate ~$150–200/month for a typical home

$
$0$1,000

Condo fees are counted toward housing costs. Enter 0 if not applicable.

$
$0$3,000

Mortgage Terms

%
0.5%15%
yrs
5 yrs30 yrs

Debt-to-Income Analysis

Front-End Fail
Back-End Pass
Front-End DTI (Housing)
28.0%/ 28% limit
Back-End DTI (Total Debt)
33.0%/ 36% limit
Conventional loan guidelines: front-end DTI ≤ 28% and back-end DTI ≤ 36% of gross monthly income. FHA allows up to 31%/43%.

Your Affordability

Maximum Home Price

$489,139

Down payment: $100,000

Maximum Mortgage

$389,139

Estimated Monthly Payment

$2,250

At 4.89%

Monthly Gross Income

$10,000

Monthly Payment / Income

22.5%

PilotRate provides educational mortgage estimates and does not constitute financial advice. Actual qualification depends on your lender's criteria.

US Home Affordability — Frequently Asked Questions

How much house can I afford based on my income in the US?
Most lenders follow the 28/36 rule: your monthly housing costs should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income, and your total debt payments should not exceed 36%. For a $100,000 annual salary, this translates to roughly $2,333 per month for housing, supporting a home price of approximately $350,000 to $450,000 depending on rates and down payment.
What is the debt-to-income ratio for a US mortgage?
Lenders typically require a debt-to-income ratio of 43% or lower, though conventional loans prefer 36% or less. DTI is calculated by dividing your total monthly debt payments (including the new mortgage, car loans, student loans, credit cards, and other debts) by your gross monthly income. Our calculator automatically computes your DTI.
How does my down payment affect what I can afford?
A larger down payment reduces your loan amount, eliminates PMI at 20%, and lowers your monthly payment — all of which increase your purchasing power. FHA loans allow as little as 3.5% down, while conventional loans typically require 5% to 20%. VA and USDA loans may offer zero down payment options.
What mortgage rate should I use for affordability calculations?
Use the current average rate for your loan type. As of early 2026, 30-year fixed rates are around 6.5% to 7% for conventional loans. FHA loans typically have slightly lower rates but require MIP. Our calculator lets you adjust the rate to see how different scenarios affect your budget.
How do property taxes and insurance affect affordability?
Property taxes vary significantly by state — from under 0.5% in Hawaii and Alabama to over 2% in New Jersey and Illinois. Homeowners insurance also varies by location. These costs are included in your PITI payment and directly impact how much home you can afford. Our calculator factors them in automatically.