Use this when the question is not "How much house can I afford?" but "How much income would this house or payment require?" Results are estimates for planning, not a loan approval.
Home and loan target
Use 10 for 10% when percent mode is selected.
Optional. If entered, income is based on this payment instead of the calculated housing payment.
Ownership costs and debts
DTI targets and optional income check
Payment breakdown
DTI at your income
Plain-English recommendation
Methodology
The calculator first estimates principal and interest from the purchase price, down payment, interest rate, and term. It adds monthly property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, and mortgage insurance when the estimated LTV is above the cutoff.
If you enter a desired monthly payment, that payment becomes the housing payment used for income requirements. Otherwise, the calculated housing payment is used. Front-end required income equals housing payment divided by the front-end DTI target. Back-end required income equals housing payment plus non-housing debts divided by the back-end DTI target. The higher number is the binding estimate.
Important caveats
- Underwriting can treat self-employment, commission, overtime, bonus, rental, part-time, and recently changed income differently from your budget.
- Local property taxes and homeowners insurance can vary sharply by county, insurer, flood zone, wildfire risk, replacement cost, and property type.
- Credit score, reserves, loan program rules, condo review, appraisal issues, and lender overlays can change the income needed or the approval result.
- Income documentation matters. A lender may average income, exclude unstable income, or require tax returns, pay stubs, W-2s, bank statements, or profit-and-loss support.
- A DTI result does not include every budget pressure. Keep room for repairs, utilities, savings, childcare, healthcare, moving costs, and emergency reserves.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What income number should I compare this with?
Compare it with stable gross income a lender is likely to document, then separately check whether the after-tax payment fits your household budget.
Why does existing debt raise the required income?
Back-end DTI includes housing plus other monthly debt payments. Credit cards, auto loans, student loans, personal loans, and other recurring debts reduce the housing payment that fits a target back-end DTI.
Can I use only a target monthly payment?
Yes. Leave purchase price at zero and enter a desired monthly payment. The calculator will estimate the income needed for that housing payment and your non-housing debts.
Does a higher income guarantee approval?
No. Lenders also review credit, assets, reserves, documentation, loan program limits, property eligibility, appraisal results, and their own overlays.