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Mortgage Affordability Calculator (2025) — How Much Can You Afford?

Last verified: May 2025

Find out how much home you can afford based on your income, debts, and down payment. Uses the 28/36 and 43% DTI rules lenders apply.

Maximum Home Affordability

$458,315

Maximum Home Purchase Price

$398,315

Max Loan Amount

$3,258

Total Monthly Payment

$2,650

Monthly P&I

37.6%

Debt-to-Income Ratio

Your DTI is 37.6%. Lenders prefer under 43%. Your monthly housing payment would be $3,258.

Analysis & insights

Based on your income and the 28% front-end DTI guideline, you can afford a home up to $458,315 (loan amount $398,315). That puts your total monthly housing cost at $3,258 — roughly 37.6% of gross monthly income. You're above the comfortable range. Consider a less expensive home or a larger down payment to bring this down.

Pushing the limit

Above the standard guideline. Lenders may approve with compensating factors but you'll feel the squeeze.

Risk & benchmark gauge

Current band

Stretched

Front-end DTI: 37.6%

0255075100
ComfortableAcceptableStretchedUnaffordable

Industry benchmarks

  • Max home price you can afford$458,315
  • Max loan amount$398,315
  • Total monthly housing (PITI)$3,258
  • Front-end DTI37.6%
  • Lender-preferred front-end≤ 28%
  • Standard upper bound36% (front) / 43% (back)

Key insights

28/36/43 — the lender math

28% front-end (housing ÷ income), 36% back-end (housing + all debts ÷ income), 43% absolute conforming-loan ceiling. Cross any of these and you need compensating factors (large reserves, excellent credit, low LTV).

Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD

The lender's max approval is the ceiling, not the recommendation. Most financial planners suggest staying 5-10 percentage points below max for breathing room.

Recommended actions(4)

Get pre-approved before house-hunting

High priority

Pre-approval letters give negotiation leverage and confirm the calculated max with a real lender (with real credit pull, asset verification, income docs).

Build a 6-month PITI emergency fund FIRST

Medium priority

Reserves are what lenders check after DTI. They're also what keeps you from foreclosure if you lose a paycheck. Don't skip this.

Reduce target home price by 10-15%

Medium priority

Aiming under the 28% front-end DTI gives margin for life surprises (kids, medical, job change). Your future self will thank you.

This tool is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified financial professional for advice specific to your situation.