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Mortgage & Real Estate
Home Affordability Calculator
Find the maximum home price you can afford using the industry-standard 28%/36% debt-to-income (DTI) rule.
This home affordability calculator applies the 28/36 rule used by US mortgage lenders to determine how much home you can afford. The front-end ratio limits your monthly PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) to 28% of gross income. The back-end ratio limits all debt payments — including car loans, credit cards, and student loans — to 36% of gross income. The calculator takes the more conservative of the two limits to give you a realistic home price ceiling and your current DTI status.
💼 Your Finances
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Enter your income and financial details to see your maximum affordable home price.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 28/36 rule is a guideline used by lenders. Your housing costs (PITI) should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income (front-end ratio), and all monthly debt payments combined should not exceed 36% (back-end ratio). This helps ensure you can afford your home without financial strain.
PITI stands for Principal (loan repayment), Interest, Property Taxes, and Insurance (homeowner's insurance and, if applicable, PMI). This is your total monthly housing cost used in the front-end DTI calculation.
FHA loans allow back-end DTI up to 50% with compensating factors (like large cash reserves or excellent credit). VA loans are also more flexible. Conventional loans through Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac typically cap at 45% DTI with automated underwriting, 36% for manual underwriting.