Mortgage Affordability Calculator — how much house you can afford.
Mortgage Affordability Calculator
Estimate a home price range based on income, debt, down payment, and target debt-to-income ratio.
Affordability inputs
DTI analysis
What DTI means
Debt-to-income ratio compares monthly debt obligations to monthly gross income. Lenders often look at two versions: front-end DTI and back-end DTI. Front-end DTI focuses on housing costs relative to income, while back-end DTI includes housing plus other recurring debts.
Mortgage affordability is influenced by more than the mortgage payment alone. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, PMI, and existing monthly debts all shape the true monthly burden. A target DTI can help you estimate a house price that feels sustainable, but lender approval still depends on credit, down payment, loan program, and underwriting rules.
Affordability estimates are useful planning tools, but they should not be treated as guaranteed approval or final loan terms.
- Income and monthly debt establish the foundation of affordability.
- Housing costs should be evaluated before making a purchase decision.
- Target DTI helps estimate a prudent borrowing range.
- Actual lender requirements vary from program to program.
Frequently asked questions
What is front-end DTI?
Front-end DTI compares housing costs such as mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, and HOA to gross monthly income.
What is back-end DTI?
Back-end DTI includes housing costs plus other recurring debts like car loans, student loans, credit cards, and personal loans.
Is this a lender guarantee?
No. This is an educational estimate only and is not a guaranteed lender approval. Actual approvals vary widely by lender and loan program.
Why is the payment estimate important?
It helps reveal whether a target home price is likely to match your monthly cash flow and debt obligations.
How are taxes and insurance included?
They are incorporated into the estimated monthly housing payment, which gives a more realistic view than looking only at principal and interest.
Does this replace a mortgage pre-approval?
No. This tool supports planning and estimates, but lenders may use different rules, fees, debt assumptions, and credit criteria.