Find your max home price using the lender-standard 28/36 rule
Your Financial Details
Before taxes, combined if joint
Car loans, student loans, credit cards, etc.
20% avoids PMI; 3–5% minimum for many programs
US avg ≈ 1.1%; varies widely by state
Affordability Estimate
Debt-to-Income Ratios
Monthly Payment Breakdown
28% vs 36% Rule Comparison
Housing costs ≤ 28% of gross monthly income
All debts ≤ 36% of gross monthly income
How the 28/36 Rule Works
The 28/36 rule is the standard lender guideline for mortgage qualification. It sets two limits based on your gross (pre-tax) monthly income:
Disclaimer: This tool provides estimates for educational purposes only. Actual mortgage qualification depends on credit score, loan type, lender policies, PMI, closing costs, and other factors. Consult a licensed mortgage professional or HUD-approved housing counselor before making homebuying decisions.
Wondering how much house you can afford? Our free home affordability calculator applies the lender-standard 28/36 rule to your gross income, existing monthly debts, down payment, and mortgage rate — instantly showing your maximum safe home price, estimated loan amount, full monthly payment breakdown, and front-end and back-end debt-to-income ratios so you can enter the market with confidence.
The 28/36 rule is the classic lender guideline: your monthly housing costs (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income (front-end ratio), and all monthly debt payments combined — including housing — should not exceed 36% (back-end ratio). This calculator uses whichever limit is lower as your safe ceiling.
The calculator finds the home price where your total housing payment (P&I + estimated property tax + insurance + HOA) exactly equals your allowable budget under both the 28% and 36% rules, then takes the lower result. Property tax is modeled as a percentage of the home's value, so the equation is solved in closed form — not by trial and error.
Yes. Enter your local property tax rate (as a % of home value per year), your estimated monthly homeowner's insurance, and any HOA fees. These are factored into the front-end ratio alongside the principal and interest payment, giving you a realistic PITI-based affordability figure.
Many lenders — especially for FHA and VA loans — allow back-end DTI ratios up to 43% or even 50% for strong-credit borrowers. The 28/36 rule is a conservative starting point. If your ratio exceeds the limit, consider paying down existing debts, saving a larger down payment, or choosing a longer loan term to lower your monthly payment.