Free House Affordability Calculator — 28/36 Rule
Lenders will happily approve more house than most people enjoy paying for. This calculator starts from the classic 28/36 guideline — housing at or under 28% of gross monthly income, all debts at or under 36% — then backs into a real price using your down payment, rate, term, and the taxes, insurance, and HOA dues that listings love to hide. Pair it with our guide on how much house you can afford on a US salary for worked examples at common incomes.
House Affordability Calculator
The 28/36 rule, your down payment, and real tax-and-insurance costs — one honest price range, no lender sales pitch.
1 Your finances
2 What you can afford
🏡 Your price range
How it works
The tool computes your maximum monthly housing payment from the tighter of the two rules (28% of income, or 36% minus your other debts), then solves the price algebraically: the payment must cover principal and interest on (price − down payment) plus monthly taxes/insurance charged as a yearly percentage of price. Everything runs locally with the rate you enter — no live rate data and no lead form.
Everyday uses
- First-time buyers — set a search filter price that will not strain the budget.
- Offer shoppers — see how rate changes move your true price ceiling.
- Savers — learn how much extra down payment actually buys in price terms.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 28/36 rule what lenders actually use?
It is the classic starting framework. Many lenders now allow higher back-end ratios for strong files, which is exactly why running your own conservative number matters.
Why include taxes and insurance in the price solve?
Because in high-tax states they can add $500+/month. A price that fits on principal-and-interest alone may fail once escrow is counted.
Should I buy at my maximum?
Most households are happier below it — the maximum assumes nothing goes wrong. Treat it as a ceiling, not a target.