What Income Do I Need To Afford A $400K House? | Bankrate (2024)

What Income Do I Need To Afford A $400K House? | Bankrate (1)

Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate

Got your eye on a $400,000 home in your area? That’s a good bit above the national median home price of $363,000, according to the National Association of Realtors. The income needed to comfortably afford such a purchase will depend on a variety of factors, including, crucially, the interest rate of your mortgage.

Bankrate’s home-affordability calculator can help you figure out what salary is needed to afford a $400,000 home. Assuming a 30-year fixed conventional mortgage and a 20 percent down payment of $80,000, with a high 6.88 percent interest rate, borrowers must earn a minimum of $105,864 each year to afford a home priced at $400,000. Based on these numbers, your monthly mortgage payment would be around $2,470.

Of course, these numbers can change drastically depending on your specific financial circ*mstances, including your homeowners insurance premium and local property taxes. If you lock in a lower rate, the monthly payments will be less; if you put down less than a 20 percent down payment, they will be more. Some homes may come with additional costs as well, such homeowners association fees or pool maintenance. Here’s everything you’ll want to consider to determine how much income is needed for a $400,000 home.

Income to afford a $400,000 house

When figuring out how much you need to make to buy a $400K house, the 28/36 rule, a common real estate rule of thumb, is a good place to start. This guideline advises that no more than 28 percent of your total income should be spent on your monthly housing costs, and that no more than 36 percent should be spent on monthly debt payments.

Let’s see how the 28/36 rule checks out using the income determined above of $105,864 per year. Dividing by 12, that breaks down to $8,822 per month, and 28 percent of $8,822 is about $2,470. So that would be the limit of what you should spend on housing — meaning $105,864 is the minimum income you’d need to comfortably afford that $400,000 home purchase.

But don’t forget to consider the 36 part of the equation as well —what other debts do you have, like car payments, credit cards or student loans? Factor in the costs of homeownership too, including taxes and regular maintenance and upkeep, when determining a comfortable monthly payment. You don’t want to stretch yourself so thin with your house payments that you can’t afford other essentials.

In addition, keep in mind that a $400,000 home can look vastly different from one location to another. In some markets $400K may get you a modest cottage, if that, while in others it can buy a veritable mansion. Popular markets where the median price for a single-family home hovers close to the $400K mark, according to Redfin data from February 2023, include Atlanta, GA ($386,500); Charlotte, NC ($375,000); and Dallas, TX ($417,800). In Phoenix, AZ, it’s $400K on the dot.

What factors determine how much you can afford?

There is much more to home affordability than simply a property’s price tag. Other factors to consider include:

  • Down payment: The larger your down payment on a house, the less you need to borrow — and so, the smaller your monthly mortgage payments will be.
  • Loan-to-value ratio: Your loan-to-value ratio, or LTV, represents how much of the home’s total value you are borrowing. This is closely related to how much down payment you put down upfront.
  • Debt-to-income ratio: DTI is calculated by considering your gross monthly income against your debt obligations each month. The higher your DTI, the more of a risk lenders will likely consider you. Based on the income of $105,864 listed above, your gross monthly income would equal $8,822.
  • Credit score: When it comes to buying a house, credit score counts for a lot. The higher your score, the better mortgage rates you are likely to qualify for. Different types of loans require different credit scores to qualify as well.
  • Type of financing: It pays to know your mortgage options. Some mortgage products are specifically designed to accommodate first-time buyers, military members and veterans and others. In addition, many state and local governments offer down payment assistance and other programs you might be eligible for, so do your research before committing.

Stay the course until you actually close

Don’t stop monitoring the factors listed above once you go into contract. It can take weeks or even months before your purchase closes, and you don’t want anything to change your finances until the deal is completely done. For example, don’t apply for new credit cards or make purchases that require financing, like a car, because those can affect your credit score. And if possible, don’t switch jobs or make any big life changes, such as getting married, either.

For most buyers, working with a knowledgeable local real estate agent is invaluable. Interview a few people to find a good fit for you. An agent will be able to guide you through the entire homebuying process with professional expertise.

FAQs

  • A variety of factors impact how much you can afford to spend on a house. The primary factor is your income — a $400,000 purchase typically requires a salary of at least $106,000. Other important considerations include your credit score, the size of your down payment and the details of your mortgage loan, including the interest rate.

  • The list price of your home is obviously the largest cost to consider, but also be mindful of the cost of living in the area where you’re looking and the cost of commuting to your work location. And keep in mind that the size and level of luxury at the $400,000 price point can vary greatly depending on your location.

  • To afford a home purchase at this price, you will likely need an income of at least $106,000 per year (see calculations above). But many factors can affect this number, including your mortgage interest rate — the same purchase at a rate of 6 percent can have much lower monthly payments than it would at 7 percent, for example. A higher credit score can make you eligible for better rates. Discuss your budget with your real estate agent openly, and get preapproved for a mortgage so that you have a good idea of how much a lender will be willing to loan you for the purchase.

What Income Do I Need To Afford A $400K House? | Bankrate (2024)

FAQs

What Income Do I Need To Afford A $400K House? | Bankrate? ›

Assuming a 30-year fixed conventional mortgage and a 20 percent down payment of $80,000, with a high 6.88 percent interest rate, borrowers must earn a minimum of $105,864 each year to afford a home priced at $400,000. Based on these numbers, your monthly mortgage payment would be around $2,470.

How much do you need to earn to afford a 400k house? ›

What income is required for a 400k mortgage? To afford a $400,000 house, borrowers need $55,600 in cash to put 10 percent down. With a 30-year mortgage, your monthly income should be at least $8200 and your monthly payments on existing debt should not exceed $981. (This is an estimated example.)

How much income do I need for a $300 K house? ›

To purchase a $300K house, you may need to make between $50,000 and $74,500 a year. This is a rule of thumb, and the specific salary will vary depending on your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, type of home loan, loan term, and mortgage rate.

What salary do you need to buy a 350k house? ›

You need to make $129,511 a year to afford a 350k mortgage. We base the income you need on a 350k mortgage on a payment that is 24% of your monthly income. In your case, your monthly income should be about $10,793.

How much income do I need for a 450k mortgage? ›

To finance a 450k mortgage, you'll need to earn roughly $135,000 – $140,000 each year. We calculated the amount of money you'll need for a 450k mortgage based on a payment of 24% of your monthly income. Your monthly income should be around $11,500 in your instance. A 450k mortgage has a monthly payment of $2,769.

Can I afford a 300k house on a 70K salary? ›

On a $70,000 income, you'll likely be able to afford a home that costs $280,000–380,000. The exact amount will depend on how much debt you have and where you live — as well as the type of home loan you get.

How much house can I afford if I make $70,000 a year? ›

If you're an aspiring homeowner, you may be asking yourself, “I make $70,000 a year: how much house can I afford?” If you make $70K a year, you can likely afford a home between $290,000 and $360,000*. That's a monthly house payment between $2,000 and $2,500 a month, depending on your personal finances.

Can I afford a 300k house on a 100K salary? ›

A $100K salary puts you in a good position to buy a home

With a $100,000 salary, you have a shot at a great home buying budget — likely in the high-$300,000 to $400,000 range or above. But you'll need more than a good income to buy a house. You will also need a strong credit score, low debts, and a decent down payment.

Can I afford a 500k house on 100K salary? ›

A 100K salary means you can afford a $350,000 to $500,000 house, assuming you stick with the 28% rule that most experts recommend. This would mean you would spend around $2,300 per month on your house and have a down payment of 5% to 20%.

How much house can I afford on a 200000 income? ›

How much house can I afford if I make $200K per year? A mortgage on 200k salary, using the 2.5 rule, means you could afford $500,000 ($200,00 x 2.5). With a 4.5 percent interest rate and a 30-year term, your monthly payment would be $2533 and you'd pay $912,034 over the life of the mortgage due to interest.

How much does a couple need to make to buy a $300 K house? ›

How much do I need to make to buy a $300K house? You'll likely need to make about $75,000 a year to buy a $300K house. This is an estimate, but, as a rule of thumb, with a 3 percent down payment on a conventional 30-year mortgage at 5 percent, your monthly mortgage payment will be around $1,900.

What house can I afford on 80k a year? ›

Your maximum mortgage payment (Rule of 28)

For example, if you and your spouse have a combined annual income of $80,000, your monthly mortgage payment should not exceed $1,866.

How much salary do you need to buy a 500k house? ›

How much income to afford a $500,000 home? To afford a $500,000 home, a person would typically need to make about $140,000 a year, said Realtor.com economic data analyst Hannah Jones. The principal and interest payments would total $2,791 per month, and with taxes and insurance, that number comes up to $3,508.

How much mortgage can I get with 120k salary? ›

If you make $50,000 a year, your total yearly housing costs should ideally be no more than $14,000, or $1,167 a month. If you make $120,000 a year, you can go up to $33,600 a year, or $2,800 a month—as long as your other debts don't push you beyond the 36 percent mark.

What credit score do you need to buy a 450k house? ›

Generally speaking, you'll need a credit score of at least 620 in order to secure a loan to buy a house. That's the minimum credit score requirement most lenders have for a conventional loan. With that said, it's still possible to get a loan with a lower credit score, including a score in the 500s.

How much house can I afford if I make $60000 a year? ›

How much of a home loan can I get on a $60,000 salary? The general guideline is that a mortgage should be two to 2.5 times your annual salary. A $60,000 salary equates to a mortgage between $120,000 and $150,000.

What house can I afford with 75k salary? ›

“Assuming an average interest rate and reasonable debt-to-income ratio, someone with a $75,000 salary could potentially afford a home in the range of $225,000 to $275,000,” he said.

Can I afford a 300k house on a $60 K salary? ›

The usual rule of thumb is that you can afford a mortgage two to 2.5 times your annual income. That's a $120,000 to $150,000 mortgage at $60,000.

How much house can I afford on a 75 000 salary? ›

If you're making $75,000 each year, your monthly earnings come out to $6,250. To meet the 28 piece of the 28/36 rule, that means your monthly mortgage payment should not exceed $1,750. And for the 36 part, your total monthly debts should not come to more than $2,250.

What house can I afford with 150k salary? ›

The lower your down payment, the higher your monthly mortgage payment. “With a $150,000 income, you could potentially save up to $100,000 – 20 percent – within a few years,” says Shri Ganeshram, CEO of real estate website Awning. “This would allow you to purchase a home in the $500,000 range.”

How much house can I afford if I make $50000 a year? ›

What you can afford: With a $50k annual salary, you're earning $4,167 per month before tax. So, according to the 28/36 rule, you should spend no more than $1,167 on your mortgage payment per month, which is 28% of your monthly pre-tax income.

How much is a 300k mortgage per month? ›

Monthly payments on a $300,000 mortgage

At a 7.00% fixed interest rate, your monthly mortgage payment on a 30-year mortgage might total $1,996 a month, while a 15-year might cost $2,696 a month.

Can I afford a 1 million dollar house if I make 100k a year? ›

Experts suggest you might need an annual income between $100,000 to $225,000, depending on your financial profile, in order to afford a $1 million home. Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), credit score, down payment and interest rate all factor into what you can afford.

How much is 100k a year hourly? ›

$100,000 is $48.08 an hour without vacation time.

If you work a full 40-hour week for 52 weeks, that amounts to 2,080 hours of work. So $100,000 a year in income divided by 2,080 is a $48.08 hourly wage.

What car can I afford with a 100k salary? ›

How much car can I afford based on salary?
Annual salary (pre-tax)Estimated monthly car payment should not exceed
$50,000$416 per month
$75,000$625 per month
$100,000$833 per month
$125,000$1,042 per month
2 more rows
Apr 4, 2023

Can a family of 4 live on 100k a year? ›

100k a year is also considered a six figure salary, meaning that you are considered a high-earning salary. Is $100k a year good money for a married couple? $100,000 is a good salary for a married couple and a family of four. $100,000 a year is still an above average income for a family.

How much house can you afford on 175k? ›

A $175,000 salary is equal to $14,583 per month in gross income; 28 percent of that comes to $4,083. So, according to the 28/36 rule, the maximum amount you should spend on housing is $4,083 per month. The 36 part of the rule, the sum you should not surpass in total debt, is 36 percent of $14,583, which is $5,250.

How much house can I afford if I make 125 000 a year? ›

Using NAR's 25 percent metric, at the current mortgage rate (6.66 percent in late March), “buyers earning $125,000 a year can purchase a home up to $510,000 if they put 20 percent down,” Evangelou says. “However, if they put 10 percent down, they can afford to purchase a home for up to $450,000.”

How much house can I afford if I make $5000 a month? ›

Figure out 25% of your take-home pay.

Let's say you earn $5,000 a month (after taxes). According to the 25% rule I mentioned, that means your monthly house payment should be no more than $1,250.

How much house can I get for $3000 a month? ›

For example, if you make $3,000 a month ($36,000 a year), you can afford a mortgage with a monthly payment no higher than $1,080 ($3,000 x 0.36). Your total household expense should not exceed $1,290 a month ($3,000 x 0.43). How much house can I afford with an FHA loan?

How much house can I buy for $2000 a month? ›

Shopping with a $2,000 monthly housing budget

The purchase price you can afford with a $2,000 monthly housing ranges from $250,000 to $300,000. But the exact number varies based on your location.

What is a good credit score to buy a house? ›

It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly payments.

How to get approved for a 300k home loan? ›

8 Tips To Help You Get Approved For A Higher Mortgage Loan
  1. Improve Your Credit Score.
  2. Generate More Income.
  3. Pay Off Debts.
  4. Find A Different Lender.
  5. Make A Down Payment Of 20%
  6. Apply For A Longer Loan Term.
  7. Find A Co-Signer.
  8. Find A More Affordable Property.
Mar 31, 2023

Can I live comfortably making 80K a year? ›

In fact, you can live just about anywhere in the US on 80K and have a very comfortable living. Most people are not able to make 80K, putting their salary in the middle class, allowing you to live very comfortably on this wage.

Can I buy a house with a credit score of 648? ›

Can I get a mortgage with an 648 credit score? Yes, your 648 credit score can qualify you for a mortgage. And you have a couple of main options. With a credit score of 580 or higher, you can qualify for an FHA loan to buy a home with a down payment of just 3.5%.

Can a family live off 80K a year? ›

Depending on the size of your family, $80,000 can comfortably cover living expenses and beyond.

How much is a 400k mortgage per month? ›

“The average monthly payment for a $400,000 home is $3,037,” says Walsh. “That's based on the typical first-time homebuyer down payment of 7%, average interest rate of 6.61%, average property tax rate of 1%, average homeowners insurance of $140 per month, and average Private Mortgage Insurance of 0.6%.”

How much should you make to buy a 600k house? ›

You need to make $222,019 a year to afford a 600k mortgage. We base the income you need on a 600k mortgage on a payment that is 24% of your monthly income. In your case, your monthly income should be about $18,502. The monthly payment on a 600k mortgage is $4,440.

What is the monthly payment on a $600000 mortgage? ›

Monthly Payment For a $600,000 Mortgage

With a 5% down payment ($30,000) and an interest rate of 6%, you would pay $3417 monthly for a 30-year fixed-rate loan, not including taxes and insurance. For a 15-year fixed-rate loan, it would be $4809.

What is the ideal mortgage for 100k salary? ›

The most common rule for deciding if you can afford a home is the 28 percent one, though many are out there. You should buy a property that won't take anything more than 28 percent of your gross monthly income. For example, if you earned $100,000 a year, it would be no more than $2,333 a month.

Is 120k enough for a family of 4? ›

When it comes to making money, a combined income of $120,000 for a family is certainly enough to get by.

How much mortgage can I afford if I make $100 K? ›

The 28/36 Rule

Maximum Monthly Payment: 28% of $100,000 is $28,000. Divide that by 12 and you get a monthly payment of $2,333. Maximum debt to income: 36% of $100,000 is $36,000, or $3,000 per month allotted for non-housing debt.

How to get approved for a 400k home loan? ›

Assuming a 30-year fixed conventional mortgage and a 20 percent down payment of $80,000, with a high 6.88 percent interest rate, borrowers must earn a minimum of $105,864 each year to afford a home priced at $400,000. Based on these numbers, your monthly mortgage payment would be around $2,470.

How much of a home loan can I get with a 720 credit score? ›

You can borrow $50,000 - $100,000+ with a 720 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.

What credit score do you need to buy a $500000 house? ›

To qualify for most types of mortgages, you'll need a credit score of at least 620. Some loan types, such as FHA loans, accept lower scores, but a higher score will almost always get you the lowest available interest rate. And that could save you a significant amount over your loan term.

How much is 25 dollars an hour annually? ›

Frequently Asked Questions. $25 an hour is how much a year? If you make $25 an hour, your yearly salary would be $52,000.

How much is 60k a year hourly? ›

If you make $60,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $28.85.

What house can I afford with 65k salary? ›

I make $65,000 a year. How much house can I afford? You can afford a $195,000 house.

Can I buy a 400k house on 100K a year? ›

If your annual salary is $100,000, the 30% rule means you should spend around $2,500 per month on your house payment. With a 10% down payment and a 6% fixed interest rate, you could likely afford a home worth around $350,000 to $400,000 (depending on the cost of taxes and home insurance).

What salary do I need to afford a 500k house? ›

The principal and interest payments would total $5,582 per month, and with taxes and insurance, that number comes out to $7,015. By making sure only 30% of income is being allocated toward that amount, a person would have to make $280,625, Jones said.

How much do you have to make a year to afford a $500 000 house? ›

Bankrate's mortgage calculator shows that for a $500,000 home purchase, assuming a 20 percent down payment and a 30-year mortgage loan at an interest rate of 6.5 percent, the monthly principal and interest payment will come to $2,528. Multiply that figure by 12 to come to an annual amount of $30,336.

What house can I afford on 120k a year? ›

Safe debt guidelines

If you make $50,000 a year, your total yearly housing costs should ideally be no more than $14,000, or $1,167 a month. If you make $120,000 a year, you can go up to $33,600 a year, or $2,800 a month—as long as your other debts don't push you beyond the 36 percent mark.

How much house can I afford making $100,000? ›

The most common rule for deciding if you can afford a home is the 28 percent one, though many are out there. You should buy a property that won't take anything more than 28 percent of your gross monthly income. For example, if you earned $100,000 a year, it would be no more than $2,333 a month.

Can I afford a 500k house on 200k salary? ›

A mortgage on 200k salary, using the 2.5 rule, means you could afford $500,000 ($200,00 x 2.5). With a 4.5 percent interest rate and a 30-year term, your monthly payment would be $2533 and you'd pay $912,034 over the life of the mortgage due to interest.

What house can I afford with 200k salary? ›

There are a ton of variables, and these are just loose guidelines. That said, if you make $200,000 a year, it means you can likely afford a home between $400,000 and $500,000.

What home can I afford with 150k salary? ›

The lower your down payment, the higher your monthly mortgage payment. “With a $150,000 income, you could potentially save up to $100,000 – 20 percent – within a few years,” says Shri Ganeshram, CEO of real estate website Awning. “This would allow you to purchase a home in the $500,000 range.”

How much house can I afford on $60 000 a year? ›

How much of a home loan can I get on a $60,000 salary? The general guideline is that a mortgage should be two to 2.5 times your annual salary. A $60,000 salary equates to a mortgage between $120,000 and $150,000.

Is a 500k house middle class? ›

Home Costs, Worth and Mortgage Are Substantial Indicators

“The most obvious marker of someone who's middle class is if the majority of their net worth is tied up in their home. In other words, if you're worth $500,000 and your home constitutes $450,000 of that, you're middle class.”

How much house can I afford if I make $75 000 a year? ›

If you're making $75,000 each year, your monthly earnings come out to $6,250. To meet the 28 piece of the 28/36 rule, that means your monthly mortgage payment should not exceed $1,750. And for the 36 part, your total monthly debts should not come to more than $2,250.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Benton Quitzon

Last Updated:

Views: 6048

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Benton Quitzon

Birthday: 2001-08-13

Address: 96487 Kris Cliff, Teresiafurt, WI 95201

Phone: +9418513585781

Job: Senior Designer

Hobby: Calligraphy, Rowing, Vacation, Geocaching, Web surfing, Electronics, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Benton Quitzon, I am a comfortable, charming, thankful, happy, adventurous, handsome, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.