A small set of fast, private calculators for U.S. buyers — affordability, mortgage, refinance, closing costs and take-home pay. No sign-ups, no credit pulls, real per-state data.
A small set of independent tools to help you plan a home purchase — no signup, no credit pull, real per-state data.
How much house can you afford on your income, debts and down payment?
Open toolFull PITI payment with amortization, taxes, insurance and PMI.
Open toolFind your break-even point and lifetime savings on a refi.
Open toolEstimate lender fees, title, escrow and state transfer taxes.
Open toolNet paycheck after federal, FICA and state taxes.
Open toolEstimate your maximum home price, monthly PITI payment, and a healthy budget range using the same debt-to-income math lenders use — in seconds, with no sign-up.
Estimated home price
You're using 72% of your healthy housing budget.
Built on the 28/36 rule used by U.S. mortgage lenders. Adjust any input and your results update instantly.
Property tax: 0.75%/yr (California)
Estimated monthly payment $3,150 on a $413,000 loan.
A 1% lower interest rate on this scenario raises your max price by roughly $40,000. Paying off $200/mo of debt adds about $27,000 more.
Home affordability isn't just about what a bank will lend you — it's about what fits your real-life budget without crowding out savings, retirement, and the unexpected.
Affordability is the maximum home price you can comfortably purchase based on your income, recurring debts, down payment, and the cost of the loan itself. The headline number most calculators surface is the price at which your total monthly housing cost — principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, or PITI — stays inside a healthy share of your gross monthly income.
Conforming lenders typically apply the 28/36 rule: housing costs shouldn't exceed 28% of gross monthly income (the front-end ratio), and total debt payments — housing plus credit cards, auto loans, and student loans — shouldn't exceed 36% (the back-end ratio). Government-backed loans like FHA can stretch as high as 43–50%, but stretching to the maximum is rarely advisable.
Underwriters also stress-test your file against the actual mortgage rate, property taxes for your county, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance if you put less than 20% down, and HOA dues. Our calculator mirrors that math and solves for the highest home price that keeps you within your target DTI.
DTI is the share of your gross monthly income that goes toward debt payments. A DTI under 36% is considered healthy; 37–43% is workable but tighter; above 43% and you'll have a harder time qualifying for the best rates. Lowering your DTI is the single fastest way to raise the price a lender will approve.
Practical guidance from the underwriting playbook — no fluff.
It keeps room for retirement contributions, emergencies, and the lifestyle costs that come with owning vs. renting.
Lenders love it, and you'll sleep better. Reserves beyond the down payment make appraisal gaps and repairs survivable.
That's a realistic ongoing maintenance line item most first-time buyers miss when they stretch to their max price.
Stronger than a pre-qualification — sellers treat it like cash, and you'll know your true ceiling before you tour.
Same household — $120k income, $60k down, $450/mo debts — shown against each state's average 30-year rate and effective property tax. Insurance and HOA held constant.
| State | Avg 30-yr rate | Property tax | Max home price | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 6.92% | 0.75% | $470,000 | $3,146/mo |
| Texas | 6.88% | 1.81% | $422,000 | $3,148/mo |
| Florida | 6.95% | 0.91% | $461,000 | $3,148/mo |
| New York | 6.86% | 1.72% | $427,000 | $3,153/mo |
| Illinois | 6.90% | 2.27% | $403,000 | $3,147/mo |
| Georgia | 6.83% | 0.92% | $465,000 | $3,150/mo |
| North Carolina | 6.81% | 0.82% | $471,000 | $3,151/mo |
| Arizona | 6.87% | 0.63% | $479,000 | $3,152/mo |
Illustrative averages — actual rates and tax assessments vary by lender, credit profile, and county.
Average 30-year rates, the week's biggest housing-market shifts, and one actionable affordability tip. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.
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