Free · No sign-up · California
Free Home Affordability Calculator: How Much House Can I Afford?
Turn your income, monthly debts and down payment into a realistic California price range, using common debt-to-income guidelines. Free and no sign-up.
- Conservative (28% / 36% DTI)
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- Monthly payment at conservative
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- Moderate (43% total DTI)
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- Monthly payment at moderate
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- Stretch (50% total DTI)
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- Monthly payment at stretch
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Estimate only. Not a loan offer, commitment, or financial, legal or tax advice. Figures are general and based on the numbers you enter. Rates and terms are set by lenders and are not promised here. Talk to Jay for a lender referral.
Talk to Jay about these numbers
How to use it
- Enter your gross (before-tax) household income for the year.
- Add your monthly debt payments: car loans, student loans, credit card minimums and any other loans. Do not include rent.
- Enter the cash you have for a down payment and the interest rate from your lender quote.
- Adjust property tax, insurance and HOA so the payment matches the kind of home you want.
- Compare the conservative, moderate and stretch prices and pick the payment you are comfortable with.
What the results mean
- Comfortable price range: The span between the conservative and moderate results. Many buyers aim for this band.
- Conservative (28% / 36%): Housing costs at or under 28% of gross income, and all debts at or under 36%. A traditional guideline that leaves room for savings.
- Moderate (43%): Total debts up to 43% of gross income, a common reference point for many loan programs.
- Stretch (50%): Some programs allow higher ratios for strong files. It can work, but the budget is tight. These are general guidelines, not approval limits.
Frequently asked questions
What is debt-to-income ratio (DTI)?
DTI is your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. Lenders look at the housing payment alone (front-end) and housing plus all other debts (back-end).
What DTI do lenders allow?
It depends on the loan type, credit, reserves and the lender. 28%/36% is a traditional guideline, 43% is a common reference point, and some programs go higher. Only a lender can tell you what you qualify for.
Does this include property tax and insurance?
Yes. The price is solved so that principal, interest, property tax, insurance, HOA and estimated PMI fit inside each DTI level.
Should I buy at the top of my range?
Not necessarily. Leave room for maintenance, savings and life changes. Many buyers feel best near the conservative number.
Is this a pre-approval?
No. It is an estimate only. For a pre-approval, a lender reviews your credit, income and assets. Talk to Jay for a lender referral.
Related free tools
- Mortgage CalculatorMonthly payment with California property tax, insurance, HOA and PMI.
- Closing Cost EstimatorTypical California buyer closing costs, shown as a low-to-high range.
- First-Time Buyer ChecklistAn interactive step-by-step checklist that saves your progress.
Talk to Jay
Questions about your numbers? Call or text Jay Romero, Broker (DRE 01343079), with over 25 years in Southern California real estate, at (949) 822-8702. Or use the form above and your numbers come along automatically.
