How Much House Can I Afford on $120,000 a Year? About $426,277
Housing costs are capped at $2,800/month (28% of gross monthly income).
Updated for the 2026 tax year · Rates checked 14 October 2026
| Home price you can afford | $426,277 |
|---|---|
| Mortgage amount | $366,277 |
| Deposit | $60,000 |
| Monthly mortgage payment | $2,267 |
| Property tax & insurance (monthly) | $533 |
| Total monthly housing cost | $2,800 |
- Housing costs are capped at $2,800/month (28% of gross monthly income).
- Your deposit is 14% of the price; under 20% usually means mortgage insurance.
- At 6.3% the monthly payment would be about $2,800 (28% of gross income).
Your result, explained
Based on your income, debts and deposit, lenders would likely approve a home of up to about $426,277, with a $366,277 mortgage costing around $2,800 a month.
That is the maximum a lender allows, not necessarily what is comfortable. Leave room for savings, repairs and rate rises: many buyers aim 10–20% below the maximum. Paying off a car loan or credit card first is often the fastest way to raise your budget, because every monthly debt payment reduces what you can borrow.
Compare nearby amounts
| Amount | Home price you can afford |
|---|---|
| $110,000 | $394,914 |
| $115,000 | $410,595 |
| $120,000 | $426,277 |
| $125,000 | $441,958 |
| $130,000 | $457,640 |
The 28/36 rule
Most US lenders follow the 28/36 guideline: housing costs (mortgage, property tax, insurance) should stay under 28% of your gross monthly income, and all debt payments, including car loans and credit cards, under 36%. Some loan programs allow higher ratios, but these limits keep payments comfortable.