US · Canada · UK
How much house can I afford?
Work backwards from your income. We apply the debt-to-income rule lenders use — after your existing debts — to estimate the most you can comfortably borrow, with live national rates and your region’s property tax and insurance.
Your finances
You could afford
California, United States · up to 36% of income on housing
$539,759
estimated maximum home price
- Monthly housing budget
- $3,200.00
- Down payment (20%)
- $107,952
- Loan amount
- $431,807
- Principal & interest
- $2,729.32
- Property tax + insurance
- $470.68
An estimate to help you plan — not financial advice or a loan offer. A guideline based on the 36% debt-to-income rule — lenders also weigh credit, employment, and reserves. Tax and insurance are estimated regional averages.
Mortgage rate trend
Past year, weekly national average
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How much home you can afford depends on where you're buying. The US and Canada cap your monthly debts as a share of income (debt-to-income), while the UK starts from an income multiple and an affordability stress test. This calculator applies the right model for your country and works back to a realistic price.
How this calculator works
In the US it's the 28/36 rule — about 28% of gross income toward housing and 36% toward all debt. In Canada it's GDS/TDS (roughly 39%/44%) plus the federal stress test, which qualifies you at a higher rate than you'll pay.
The UK doesn't use debt-to-income at all: lenders start from an income multiple (typically around 4.5×) and then run the FCA affordability and stress tests against your real outgoings.
In every case, a larger down payment, a lower rate, and fewer existing debts raise what you can afford — you can test each above.
A worked example
The same question, two different models — a US buyer (debt-to-income) and a UK buyer (income multiple):
- US: $100k income, 20% down (Texas costs, 36% DTI)
- $363,972 home
- UK: £50k income (≈4.5× multiple)
- £225,000 borrowing
The US caps debts as a share of income; the UK starts from an income multiple and a stress test. The tool applies the right model for your country.
Who it's for
- You want a realistic budget before house-hunting.
- You're comparing what you can afford in different countries.
- You want to understand your country's specific lending rules.
Frequently asked questions
How much house can I afford?
It depends on your income, debts, down payment, and country. The US/Canada cap debts as a share of income; the UK uses an income multiple. Enter your figures for an estimate under the right model.
Why does the US differ from the UK?
The US and Canada use debt-to-income ratios (like 28/36 or GDS/TDS), while UK lenders start from an income multiple of roughly 4.5× and apply an affordability stress test — so the same income can support different amounts.
Does my down payment change what I can afford?
Yes — a larger down payment shrinks the loan and can remove mortgage insurance (US PMI or Canadian CMHC), freeing up room within the affordability limit.
Is the result a guarantee I'll be approved?
No — it's an educational estimate. Actual approval depends on your credit, employment, the property, and each lender's own rules.
A planning estimate, not a lending decision. Actual approval depends on credit, employment, reserves, and lender policy.