The 28/36 rule is the gold standard: spend no more than 28% of gross monthly income on housing (mortgage + taxes + insurance), and no more than 36% on total debt (housing + car + student loans + credit cards). On a $100,000 salary, that means $2,333/month maximum for housing. At 6.5% with 20% down, that supports a home price of approximately $350,000-$400,000. But this varies dramatically by location — property taxes in New Jersey (2.49%) versus Hawaii (0.28%) can swing affordability by $100,000+. Use the calculator below with your local data. Down payment options: conventional (5-20%), FHA (3.5%), VA (0%), USDA (0% for rural areas). Below 20% triggers PMI ($50-200/month). First-time buyer tip: get pre-approved before house hunting — it tells you your real number and makes your offers stronger.
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How Much House Can I Afford?
Calculate how much house you can afford based on income, debt, and down payment. Free calculator + city-specific data.
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