By income
How Much House Can I Afford on a $120,000 Salary?
Comfortable (25/33)
$333,000
$2,500/mo
Standard (28/36)
$362,000
$2,799/mo
Stretch (31/43)
$398,000
$3,100/mo
The standard price is about 3.0 times your annual income. Change the inputs in the affordability calculator.
How your down payment changes the price
With $400 in monthly debts. A larger down payment raises the price you can reach and can avoid mortgage insurance.
| Down payment | Comfortable | Standard | Stretch |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $293,000 | $329,000 | $364,000 |
| $50,000 | $333,000 | $362,000 | $398,000 |
| $100,000 | $391,000 | $430,000 | $468,000 |
How other monthly debts change the price
Standard (28/36) price with $50,000 down. Car loans, student loans and card minimums count against the total-debt limit.
| Other monthly debts | Standard price | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $362,000 | $2,799 |
| $500 | $362,000 | $2,799 |
| $1,000 | $338,000 | $2,599 |
| $1,500 | $283,000 | $2,100 |
How this is calculated
- Monthly income is $120,000 ÷ 12 = $10,000.
- Standard limits: housing at most 28% of that ($2,800) and total debts at most 36% ($3,600). The lower of the two room amounts is the budget.
- The full payment (principal and interest, tax, insurance and estimated PMI) must fit the budget; the price shown is the highest that does, rounded down to $1,000.
- Assumptions: 30-year fixed at the Freddie Mac average of 7.28% (October 1, 2026), property tax 1.05% a year, insurance $165 a month, no HOA.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum house price on a $120,000 salary?
Using the standard 28/36 guideline, $50,000 down, $400 a month in other debts and a 7.28% rate, the highest price is about $362,000, with a total monthly payment near $2,799. A comfortable level (25/33) gives about $333,000 and a stretch level (31/43) about $398,000.
Does this include property tax and insurance?
Yes. The payment includes principal and interest, property tax at the U.S. median effective rate of 1.05% of the home's price per year, a placeholder of $165 a month for insurance, and an estimate of mortgage insurance when the down payment is under 20%. Your area's tax rate can move the result a lot, so check the property tax rate for your state or county.
Will a lender approve me for this amount?
Not necessarily. These are guidelines used to size a comfortable payment, not approvals. Lenders also weigh your credit score, savings, employment and the loan program. Pre-approval tells you what a lender will actually offer.
Data and method. Home values, property taxes and incomes: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year (2020-2024) (medians, with sampling error; property tax is for owners with a mortgage). Loan limits: FHFA. Rates: Freddie Mac weekly average as of October 1, 2026. Retrieved October 1, 2026. Payment figures assume 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and exclude insurance, HOA dues and mortgage insurance. Estimates only; see the methodology.