Home / Calculators / Home Affordability

Home Affordability Calculator

Most affordability tools give you one number and call it done. We show you two: what we recommend for a comfortable payment, and the technical maximum you may qualify for. The difference between the two matters more than most borrowers realize.

Comfortable vs. max rangeFull PITI payment shownTX, FL, MN, CO estimatesWhat-if scenarios included
State aware estimates: Property taxes and homeowners insurance are pre-filled from typical averages for TX, FL, MN, and CO. Override any field with your own numbers for a more accurate result.

See how much home you can comfortably afford

Enter your income, debts, and down payment. Adjust your comfort level to see how the recommended range shifts.

Affordability
Car loans, student loans, credit cards
Select your state to get local tax and insurance estimates. Not sure? Leave it blank and we will use national averages as a starting point.
With a standard approach, your total debts stay at a manageable share of your income, leaving room for savings, emergencies, and everyday life.
The recommended price keeps your total debt-to-income ratio within a manageable range. The max is $174,031 higher — what you may technically qualify for, but comfortable and technically possible are very different things.
WE RECOMMEND UP TO THIS PURCHASE PRICE
$509,952
Standard approach
Monthly payment$3,400
Principal & interest$2,844
Taxes & insurance$556
Estimated cash to close$75,299(includes down payment)
MAX PURCHASE PRICE YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR
$683,983
Technical maximum
Monthly payment$4,500
Principal & interest$3,944
Taxes & insurance$556
Estimated cash to close$80,520(includes down payment)
Estimated cash to close combines your down payment with a general 3% estimate for closing costs. The 3% is a rough planning number only. Actual costs vary widely by lender, title company, loan type, and state. This is not the actual amount you will owe at closing. Get a Loan Estimate from us for real numbers.
Income breakdown
Total debt ratio
39%of gross monthly income
All monthly debts combined as a share of your gross income.
0% to 36%Conservative range
36.1% to 43%Standard range
43.1% to 50%Aggressive range
You are in the standard range.
All monthly debts combined represent 39% of your gross monthly income. This is in the standard range.
Not sure what these numbers mean for your situation? We can walk you through it.
Talk to us
If rates move
RateComfortableMax priceMo. payment
Down to 6.000%$534,355$717,826$3,400/mo
6.500% (current)$509,952$683,983$3,400/mo
Up to 7.000%$487,475$652,813$3,400/mo
What if scenarios
Pay off debt, comfortable purchase price becomes
$509,952
Enter a monthly debt amount above to see how paying it off could shift your buying power.
Extra down payment, comfortable purchase price becomes
$509,952
Enter an additional down payment amount to see how saving more upfront could expand your range.
Rent vs. buy
At the recommended purchase price
Current monthly rent$2,000
Estimated mortgage payment$3,400
Monthly difference+$1,400 per month
Illustrative only. Homeownership includes maintenance costs and is not guaranteed to appreciate. Renting may include future increases. Not investment or financial advice.
Next step
See the full monthly payment breakdown

You know your range. Now test your comfortable budget and see the full monthly payment in one place.

See payment at my comfortable budget ($509,952)Also test my max budget ($683,983) →
This calculator is for educational purposes only. Results are estimates based on the information you enter and may not reflect final loan terms or payment amounts. Actual rates, payments, and approval terms depend on your credit profile, property, and lender guidelines. This is not a loan offer or commitment to lend.

Why we show two numbers

Most affordability calculators give you one number — usually the maximum you might technically qualify for, not what will actually feel good twelve months after closing.

We show both because the gap between comfortable and technically possible can be significant. Buying at your absolute limit leaves no room for job changes, medical bills, home repairs, or just wanting to save more. Use the max to understand your ceiling. Use our recommended range to plan your actual search.

What goes into the monthly payment

This calculator shows your full estimated housing cost, not just principal and interest. Every number in the recommended range accounts for principal and interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA fees if applicable.

Want to see the full payment breakdown for a specific home price? Try the Mortgage Payment Calculator.

Common questions about home affordability

What is the difference between the recommended range and the max?
The recommended range is based on conservative income ratios that leave room for savings, emergencies, and life. The max uses the highest debt-to-income thresholds most lenders will approve. Many buyers technically qualify for the max but find the payment difficult to sustain long term. We always recommend planning around the comfortable number and treating the max as a ceiling, not a target.
Does this mean I am approved for this loan amount?
No. This is an educational planning tool, not a pre-approval. Actual loan approval depends on your credit score, employment, assets, the specific property, and current loan program guidelines. To get a real answer, request a free quote. It takes about 60 seconds and does not affect your credit. request a free quote.
How accurate are the tax and insurance estimates?
The estimates use state level averages for TX, FL, MN, and CO. Property taxes vary significantly by county and city, and insurance depends on your coverage level, home age, and location. We recommend overriding the pre-filled numbers with your own estimates once you have a specific property in mind.
What does the budget comfort level change?
The comfort level adjusts the income ratio thresholds used to calculate your recommended range. Cautious uses lower thresholds for more breathing room. Balanced uses standard guidelines. Aggressive pushes closer to the maximum lenders will typically approve. The max price card always reflects the technical ceiling and does not change with your comfort level.
Should I buy now or wait for rates to drop?
The rate sensitivity table shows how your recommended price and monthly payment shift if rates move up or down by half a percent. Whether to wait depends on your personal situation, your local market, and your financial stability. We are happy to walk through the tradeoffs without any pressure. Reach out anytime. Reach out anytime.

Ready to turn these numbers into a real plan?

We can take your actual income, debts, and goals and show you real loan options, real rates, and real payments in TX, FL, MN, and CO. No pressure, no credit pull to start.