Reviewed August 9, 2026 · 28% and 43% are planning scenarios, not universal approval limits
Quick answer: Affordability depends on income, recurring debt, down payment, rate, term, taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance, HOA dues and the monthly budget you choose. The calculator is a planning range, not a preapproval or promise of a loan amount.
The ratios can help create a first estimate, but they are not universal approval limits and do not replace program-specific underwriting.
Down payment, closing costs, reserves, repairs and moving expenses can limit a purchase even when the monthly payment appears manageable.
Try a higher interest rate, monthly mortgage payment, insurance premium, tax bill or HOA amount. Include private mortgage insurance for a low-down-payment conventional loan and compare an FHA loan separately.
Next: calculate debt-to-income ratio, understand preapproval and prequalification, plan a down payment.
A home affordability calculator estimates a price range from your gross income, recurring monthly debt, down payment, mortgage rate, loan term, property taxes and other housing costs. The result is a planning estimate rather than a lender preapproval.
USFinNexus shows a conservative 28% housing-cost scenario and a 43% total-debt scenario because these percentages are familiar planning references. They are not universal mortgage approval rules. The CFPB's current General Qualified Mortgage definition no longer uses the former fixed 43% DTI cap; it uses price-based thresholds. Loan programs, automated underwriting and individual lenders may apply different DTI requirements.
For 2026, the FHFA baseline conforming limit for a one-unit property in most U.S. counties is $832,750. HUD's 2026 FHA one-unit national floor is $541,287. Location-specific limits can be higher, so these figures are context rather than a determination of what you personally qualify to borrow.
A lender can potentially approve a payment that is uncomfortable for your household budget. Consider emergency savings, maintenance, utilities, childcare, transportation, retirement contributions and other goals that are not captured by a simple mortgage DTI calculation.
Estimate the payment on a specific property with the Mortgage Calculator, examine recurring debt with the Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator, or compare loan structures with the FHA, VA & USDA Loan Calculator.
2026 loan-limit figures are based on FHFA and HUD publications. The description of General Qualified Mortgage DTI treatment is based on the CFPB rule that replaced the former fixed 43% DTI threshold with price-based thresholds. Reviewed August 7, 2026.
It combines gross income, recurring debt, a proposed housing-payment share, down payment, mortgage rate, loan term, property taxes and other assumptions to estimate a home-price range. It is a planning estimate, not a lender preapproval.
Estimate a home-price range from your income, recurring debt, down payment, rate and property-tax assumptions. The 28% and 43% outputs are planning scenarios — not universal mortgage approval limits.
28% housing-cost scenario
$316,147
A conservative planning output based on housing cost at 28% of gross monthly income.
43% total-debt scenario
$373,775
A stretch planning output based on total debt at 43% — not a current General QM maximum or approval guarantee.
Housing / gross income
28.0%
Total debt / gross income
34.7%
The CFPB removed the former fixed 43% DTI cap from the General Qualified Mortgage definition and replaced it with price-based thresholds. Actual underwriting varies by program and lender.