NestVerdict
Home Affordability Calculator
How much house can you actually afford?
Enter your income, monthly debts, and cash on hand to estimate the maximum home price you can reasonably afford — before you start touring homes or talking to a lender. Supports conventional, FHA, VA, and all-cash purchases.
Know your number. Now compare the homes.
NestVerdict tracks every home you're considering — financials, commute, and score — side by side.
Join early accessGet your exact monthly payment
This estimate finds your ceiling. Plug that price into our mortgage calculator for the full monthly breakdown, PMI, and cash-to-close.
Open mortgage calculatorGet updates from NestVerdict
Want more free tools like this, plus early access when we launch? Drop your email.
You're on the list! We'll be in touch.
New to home buying? Start with our First-Time Home Buyer Guide, then size up your monthly payment with the Mortgage Calculator.
Estimates only — not financial, legal, or tax advice, and not a pre-qualification or pre-approval. Actual approval amounts depend on a lender's full underwriting of your income, credit, assets, and debts. Consult a licensed lender before making decisions.
Common questions about home affordability
How much house can I afford based on my salary?
A common starting point is that your total monthly housing payment — principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA, and PMI — shouldn't exceed about 28% of your gross monthly income, and your total monthly debts (including housing) shouldn't exceed 36-50% depending on loan program. This calculator applies both limits along with your cash on hand to estimate a realistic maximum home price.
What income do I need to buy a $400,000 house?
Roughly, at a 6.5-7% rate on a 30-year conventional loan with 10-20% down, a $400,000 home typically requires gross annual income in the $95,000-$115,000 range, depending on your existing debts, down payment, property taxes, and insurance costs in your area. Use the calculator above with your real numbers for a precise estimate.
Does this affordability calculator include property tax and insurance?
Yes. The estimate factors in principal and interest, an average property tax rate, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, and PMI (if your down payment is under 20%) — not just the loan payment alone.
What's the difference between pre-qualification and this affordability estimate?
This tool gives you a rough, unverified ceiling based on the numbers you enter — useful for house hunting before you talk to a lender. Pre-qualification and pre-approval involve a lender verifying your income, credit, and assets, and can result in a different (often lower) number. Always confirm with a licensed lender before making an offer.
How does down payment affect how much house I can afford?
A larger down payment reduces your loan amount and monthly payment, and eliminates PMI once you reach 20% down — both of which can raise the maximum price you can afford. But if cash on hand (not income) is your limiting factor, a smaller minimum down payment (as low as 3% conventional, 3.5% FHA, or 0% VA) can let you afford a higher price by preserving cash for closing costs.