How Much Home Can I Afford Apr 2026

To determine how much home you can afford, most financial experts suggest following the as a baseline. This guide breaks down how to calculate your budget based on current 2026 lending standards and housing costs. 1. Apply the 28/36 Rule

Spend no more than 36% of your gross monthly income on all debt payments combined . how much home can i afford

Includes: Your new mortgage plus car loans, student loans, and credit card minimums. To determine how much home you can afford,

Spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income (pre-tax) on total housing costs. and HOA fees (PITI).

This traditional guideline helps ensure you don't become "house poor" by overextending your monthly budget.

Includes: Principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA fees (PITI).