🏠 How much home can you truly afford without being house poor?

Buying a home right now feels like a rigged game. You save diligently, only to watch prices climb to half a million dollars while interest rates stay stubbornly high. This calculator breaks down the real math of homeownership—including closing costs and taxes—so you can see exactly how much of your paycheck will vanish into your house each month. Let's find out if that $500k home leaves you comfortable or house poor.

It's not just the down payment. Closing costs can easily eat up $20,000 of your hard-earned savings before you even get the keys. If you don't have 20% to put down, you'll also get hit with Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). Add in property taxes and insurance, and your actual monthly payment is much higher than the sticker price suggests.

You don't want half your income going to your mortgage for the next 30 years. Financial experts typically recommend keeping your housing costs below 30% of your gross income. Enter your salary below to see if your dream home fits your reality, or if you'll end up working just to pay for the roof over your head.

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