How Much Should You Spend on Your First Home?

Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, and many smaller decisions feed into it. One of the things first-time home buyers ask is “How much house can I afford?” The answer depends on some key variables:

• Salary

• Credit score

• Down payment

• The interest rate you qualify for

• The market you’re buying in

With data from REMAX and input from our real estate experts, this guide goes through how each of these variables helps to answer the question “how much house can I afford as a first-time buyer?”

Basic Rules for How Much House You Can Afford

Lenders and financial advisors use a few benchmarks to help buyers figure out a comfortable purchase price. The most widely used is the 28/36 rule:

• 28% is the maximum percentage of your gross monthly income that should go toward housing costs, including your mortgage payment, property taxes, and homeowners’ insurance.

• 36% is the maximum percentage of your gross monthly income that should go toward all debt combined: housing plus car payments, student loans, credit cards, and any other debt servicing obligations.

These are guidelines rather than hard rules, and lenders may approve you for more once you submit your financials. However, staying within these boundaries gives you a buffer for the unexpected costs that can come with homeownership, such as maintenance and repairs that you didn’t plan for.

Getting preapproved can be helpful when determining what you can afford, even if you’re not shopping right away. If in doubt, consult with a lender or financial advisor; that will give you more confidence in your financial position as you start your home search.

How Much House Can I Afford With an $80k Salary?

On an $80,000 annual salary, your gross monthly income is about $6,667. Applying the 28% rule, your maximum monthly housing cost (mortgage, taxes, and insurance) should be around $1,867.

Assuming a 30-year fixed mortgage at current rates, a 6% to 7% interest rate, and a 10% down payment, an $80,000 salary would typically qualify you for a home in the range of $250,000 to $320,000. That’s a workable budget in many Midwestern and Southern markets, although buying in higher-cost coastal cities could be tight. For these markets, you’d have to consider smaller properties outside the most.

How Much House Can I Afford With a $100k Salary?

At $100K, your gross monthly income is $8,333. The 28% rule puts your maximum monthly housing cost at about $2,333. At current interest rates, with a 10% down payment, that translates to a purchase price in the range of $320,000 to $400,000.

Per current listings on Realtor.com, that monthly budget can buy you a solid starter home in markets like Columbus, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Atlanta, and many parts of Texas and Florida. In higher-cost markets like Denver, Seattle, or Southern California, the same budget puts you in condo or townhome territory. This is still a great place to start, even if it’s less square footage and outdoor space than you might get in other markets.

How Much House Can I Afford With a $150k Salary?

At $150,000 per year, your gross monthly income is $12,500, and the 28% threshold puts your maximum housing cost at $3,500 per month. With a 10% down payment at current rates, that could get you into a home in the range of $475,000 to $600,000.

For first-time buyers at this income level, the main limiting factor is usually the down payment rather than the monthly payment. Saving 10% to 20% on a $500,000 home means having $50,000 to $100,000 set aside, which can be challenging when you’re already paying rent. First-time buyer programs, down payment assistance, and gifts from family members can all help bridge that gap.

At $150K, buyers can consider how much house they can afford in higher-cost markets. In cities like Austin, Nashville, Denver, and Miami, this income level could allow you to buy well-located single-family homes and larger condos in desirable neighborhoods, according to current listings online.

Other Factors That Affect How Much House You Can Afford

Salary is the starting point, but lenders look at the full picture when determining what to approve you for. Key variables include:

Credit Score

A higher credit score typically means a lower interest rate, which increases how much house you can afford. The difference between a 680 and a 760 credit score can translate to tens of thousands of dollars in purchasing power over the life of your mortgage.

Debt-to-Income Ratio

All of your monthly debt payments (student loans, car payments, credit cards and line of credit payments) reduce the mortgage amount a lender will approve. Paying down existing debt will lower your debt-to-income ratio, so you’ll qualify for more.

Down Payment Size

A larger down payment reduces your loan amount, eliminates or reduces PMI, and may qualify you for better rates. Even moving from 5% to 10% down can make a noticeable difference.

Loan Type

FHA loans allow lower down payments and are more flexible on credit scores, but come with mortgage insurance premiums. Conventional loans are more stringent but can be more cost-effective for buyers who qualify. VA loans offer exceptional terms for eligible veterans, active service members, and surviving spouses.

Local Market Conditions

The same monthly payment buys very different homes depending on where you’re looking. Going through actual listings in your target market and reviewing the data with your real estate agent gives you a realistic picture of what will fit in your budget.

These variables all interact with your salary to determine what you’ll ultimately be approved for. Using a “how much house can I afford” calculator can help you picture how one figure affects the others. These calculators are widely available online, and your lender can also help you understand how best to prepare for homebuying.

How Much Should I Spend Once I Know How Much I Can Afford?

Buying at the top of your approved range leaves little cushion for the ongoing costs of homeownership, including maintenance, repairs, property tax increases, and HOA fees (if applicable). Many financial advisors suggest targeting 10% to 15% below your maximum approval to give yourself breathing room.

Get Preapproved

Once you’ve answered the question “how much house can I afford?” talk to your lender about getting preapproved. Pre-approval gives you a firm budget to shop with, and it signals to sellers that you’re a serious buyer. In a seller’s market, pre-approval can also allow you to make a confident offer more quickly, giving you an advantage over other prospective buyers.