Make informed financial decisions with our comprehensive affordability calculators. Understand what you can afford before making major purchases.
Calculate how much house you can afford based on your income, debts, and down payment.
Determine your maximum mortgage amount and monthly payment based on your financial situation.
Calculate your income tax and take-home pay based on your salary and deductions.
Calculate federal and provincial taxes for Canadian residents.
Compare the costs of renting versus buying a home over time.
One of the most important financial questions you can ask is: "Can I afford this?" Whether it is a home, a car, or a lifestyle change, understanding affordability means looking beyond the sticker price to the total cost of ownership — including ongoing payments, taxes, insurance, and opportunity costs.
Lenders use the 28/36 rule to determine how much mortgage you can afford. Your housing costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance) should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income, and your total debt payments (housing + car + student loans + credit cards) should not exceed 36%. Our home affordability calculator applies these ratios to your income to determine a realistic purchase price.
Buying a home builds equity, but it also comes with costs renters avoid: property taxes (typically 1-2% of home value per year), maintenance (budget 1-2% annually), insurance, and the opportunity cost of your down payment. In high-cost areas, renting and investing the difference can sometimes outperform buying. Our rent vs. buy calculator models both scenarios over time so you can make a data-driven decision.
A common guideline is 2.5-3× your annual gross income. With a $80,000 salary, that suggests a $200,000-240,000 home. However, this varies significantly by location, debt levels, and interest rates. Our home affordability calculator provides a personalized estimate based on your complete financial picture.
DTI (Debt-to-Income ratio) is the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes toward debt payments. Lenders use this to assess risk. Most conventional loans require a DTI below 43%, though some programs accept up to 50%. A lower DTI means you qualify for better rates and larger loan amounts.
The answer depends on how long you plan to stay, local market conditions, and mortgage rates. A general rule is that buying makes financial sense if you plan to stay at least 5-7 years. With rates around 6.5-7%, the break-even period has lengthened compared to the low-rate era. Use our rent vs. buy calculator with your specific numbers.
Property taxes add significantly to housing costs and vary drastically by location — from 0.3% in Hawaii to over 2% in New Jersey and Illinois. On a $300,000 home, that is the difference between $900/year and $6,000+/year. Our calculators factor in property taxes, insurance, and HOA fees for a realistic monthly payment estimate.
Calculator methods and editorial structure reviewed July 11, 2026. Results are estimates; verify regulated rates, eligibility rules, and professional decisions with the cited primary source.