What is House Affordability Calculator?
Applies standard conservative underwriting benchmarks (the 28/36 debt-to-income rule) to evaluate home purchasing capacity.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter total gross household income.
- Enter monthly debt payments (auto, credit, student).
- Enter down payment cash and current mortgage rate.
- Review maximum purchase price and safe monthly mortgage allowance.
The Mathematical Formula & Variables
Affordable Payment = min(28% Gross Income, 36% Gross Income - Monthly Debts)
Step-by-Step Worked Example
Scenario: $100k income ($8,333/mo), $500 monthly debts, $50k down payment, 6.5% rate.
- 28% Front-end = $2,333/mo.
- 36% Back-end = $3,000 - $500 = $2,500/mo.
- Allowed monthly PITI = $2,333.
- Borrowing capacity ≈ $335,000 + $50,000 down payment = $385,000.
Result: $385,000.00 Home
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 28/36 rule?
A mortgage guideline stating that housing costs should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income, and total debts (housing + consumer debts) should not exceed 36%.