Our calculators
Home Affordability Calculator
Enter your income, debts, down payment, and rate — see the maximum home price that fits the 28/36 rule lenders actually use.
Open calculator →Mortgage Payment Calculator
Monthly payment with taxes, insurance, PMI and HOA, plus a full amortization schedule and total interest.
Open calculator →FHA Loan Calculator
3.5% down payment loans with upfront and annual MIP broken out — see what FHA really costs per month.
Open calculator →VA Loan Calculator
Zero-down VA loans with funding-fee tiers by service type — built for veterans and active-duty buyers.
Open calculator →Down Payment Savings Planner
How long until you hit your down payment goal? Enter savings and monthly contributions to see the timeline.
Open planner →Closing Cost Estimator
Closing costs run 2–5% of the price on top of your down payment. Estimate yours by state and loan type.
Open estimator →Refinance Break-Even Calculator
Lower rate, new closing costs — how many months until refinancing actually pays off?
Open calculator →Why HouseCanAfford?
The full monthly cost, not just P&I
Most calculators show principal and interest and stop there. Ours include property tax, homeowner's insurance, PMI/MIP, and HOA — the four costs that turn an "affordable" payment into a stretch.
Private by design
Every calculation runs entirely in your browser. No accounts, no email capture, no "get your rate" forms — your income and debts never leave your device.
Free, no signup
All tools are free with no usage limits. We plan to keep the lights on with advertising, which is why you'll never hit a paywall before seeing a result.
Plain-language guides
Each calculator ships with a short guide explaining the math — DTI ratios, PMI vs MIP, funding fees, break-even — written for first-time buyers, not bankers.
How lenders decide what you can afford
Most US mortgage lenders use two debt-to-income (DTI) ratios. The front-end ratio caps your total housing payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA, PMI) at about 28% of gross monthly income. The back-end ratio caps all monthly debts — housing plus car loans, student loans, credit-card minimums — at about 36%.
Example: with $100,000 of annual income ($8,333/month) and $500 in monthly debts, the front-end limit is $2,333 for housing, and the back-end limit is $3,000 − $500 = $2,500. The lower number wins: $2,333/month for everything housing-related.
That monthly budget then converts into a home price using your interest rate, down payment, property tax rate, and insurance. Our affordability calculator does exactly this math — and shows which of the two ratios is limiting you, so you know whether paying down debt or saving a bigger down payment moves the needle most.
Three things surprise first-time buyers most: (1) property tax and insurance can add 30–40% on top of principal and interest; (2) less than 20% down usually means PMI or MIP, another monthly cost; (3) closing costs (2–5% of the price) are due on top of the down payment. Budget for all three before you shop.
Frequently asked questions
Are these calculators really free?
Yes. Every tool is free with no usage limits and no account required.
Is my financial data sent anywhere?
No. All calculations happen locally in your browser using JavaScript. There are no user accounts, and the numbers you enter are never transmitted to us.
Are the results financial advice?
No. The calculators produce good-faith estimates based on standard mortgage math and widely used guidelines like the 28/36 rule. Lending programs, rates, taxes, and fees vary — for decisions involving real money, talk to a qualified mortgage professional.
What is the 28/36 rule?
It's the guideline most lenders use: housing costs ≤ 28% of gross monthly income (front-end DTI), and all monthly debts ≤ 36% (back-end DTI). FHA, VA, and some conventional programs allow higher ratios with compensating factors.
Do I need to create an account?
No. Everything works in your browser on phone, tablet, or desktop — no signup, no downloads.
I'm a first-time buyer. Where should I start?
Start with the Home Affordability Calculator to find your price range, then use the Down Payment Savings Planner to map how long saving will take, and the Closing Cost Estimator so the cash you'll need at closing doesn't surprise you.