How Much House Can I Afford? (2026)
The table below shows the maximum home price at three risk levels for every common salary — using real DTI-based mortgage math, current 2026 rates, and standard assumptions ($300/mo existing debts, 20% down, 30-year fixed at 6.75%, 1.2% property tax). Pick your salary for the full breakdown.
| Salary | Conservative28% DTI · 20% down | Standard36% DTI · 20% down | Stretch43% DTI · 10% down | Monthly (std) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30k | $48,475 | $80,791 | $98,722 | $600 |
| $40k | $86,177 | $129,266 | $151,130 | $900 |
| $50k | $123,880 | $177,741 | $203,538 | $1,200 |
| $60k | $161,583 | $226,216 | $255,946 | $1,500 |
| $70k | $199,285 | $274,690 | $308,354 | $1,800 |
| $75k | $218,137 | $298,928 | $334,558 | $1,950 |
| $80k | $236,988 | $323,165 | $360,762 | $2,100 |
| $90k | $274,690 | $371,640 | $413,170 | $2,400 |
| $100k | $312,393 | $420,115 | $465,578 | $2,700 |
| $120k | $387,798 | $517,064 | $570,394 | $3,300 |
| $130k | $425,501 | $565,539 | $622,802 | $3,600 |
| $150k | $500,906 | $662,489 | $727,618 | $4,200 |
| $175k | $595,163 | $783,676 | $858,638 | $4,950 |
| $200k | $689,419 | $904,863 | $989,657 | $5,700 |
| $250k | $877,932 | $1,147,237 | $1,251,697 | $7,200 |
| $300k | $1,066,445 | $1,389,610 | $1,513,737 | $8,700 |
How we calculate these numbers
Lenders decide how much you can borrow using your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) — the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes to all debt payments including the future mortgage. Most conventional loans cap the back-end DTI at 43%, though 36% is the threshold where borrowers are most comfortably approved and 28% is the level recommended by most financial planners for housing expense alone.
The "Conservative" column uses a 28% DTI cap with 20% down — a guideline that leaves room for saving, investing, and absorbing surprise expenses. "Standard" uses 36% DTI with 20% down, which is where most lenders begin to approve comfortably. "Stretch" uses 43% DTI with only 10% down — technically approvable, but leaves less margin and may trigger PMI.
All scenarios assume a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.75%, $300/month in existing debts (car payment, student loans, credit cards), a 1.2% property tax rate (national average), and $1,200/year homeowner's insurance. Your actual affordability depends on your specific debts, credit score, local tax rates, and the rate you lock.
What the "3× salary" rule gets wrong
You'll see the shorthand "you can afford 3× your annual income" repeated everywhere. It was a reasonable approximation when mortgage rates were 3–4%, but at 2026's rates (6.5–7%+) it overstates what most budgets can handle. The DTI-based approach used on this page is what lenders actually use — it accounts for your real debts and the prevailing interest rate, which the 3× rule ignores entirely.
Next steps
Click your salary level above for a detailed breakdown with rate-sensitivity tables, the interactive Home Affordability Calculator, and tips specific to your income tier. To see what your paycheck looks like after taxes, use the Paycheck Calculator. New to the process? Our Complete Guide to Mortgages covers qualifying, down payments, rate shopping, and closing costs end to end, and the Mortgage Affordability by State page shows the income needed to buy a typical home where you live.
Methodology & sources
Affordability computed using DTI-based mortgage math: max monthly PITI = (gross income ÷ 12) × DTI cap − existing monthly debts. Max home price derived by solving for the purchase price that produces that payment at the given rate, term, property tax rate, and insurance cost. Sources: CFPB Qualified Mortgage rules (12 CFR §1026.43), Fannie Mae Selling Guide §B3-6-02 (DTI requirements), Freddie Mac PMMS (current rate benchmarks). Estimates for planning only — not a loan offer or pre-approval. See our editorial policy for how we verify formulas.