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How Much House Can I Afford on $30,000

Last updated June 2026

On a $30,000 annual salary, you can afford approximately $85,000 using conventional loan guidelines (28% DTI ratio) or up to $95,000 with an FHA loan (31% DTI ratio). These estimates assume a 6.875% interest rate, 30-year fixed mortgage, 1.2% property tax, and $1,400/year homeowners insurance. Use the calculator below with your actual debts, down payment, and local tax rates for a personalized estimate.

Your Finances

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Loan Terms

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yr
%
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Monthly Leftover Cash

Just because you qualify doesn't mean it's comfortable. Check what's left after housing + debts.

Conventional

$1,669

Comfortable

FHA

$1,593

Comfortable

VA

$1,480

Comfortable

Conventional

DTI: 28%/36%

$85,000

max home price

Monthly Payment$681
P&I$480
Tax$85
Insurance$117
Front-End DTI27.2%
Back-End DTI33.2%
Down Payment14.1%

FHA

DTI: 31%/43%

$95,000

max home price

Monthly Payment$757
P&I$545
Tax$95
Insurance$117
Front-End DTI30.3%
Back-End DTI36.3%
Down Payment12.6%

VA

DTI: None/41%

$110,000

max home price

Monthly Payment$870
P&I$644
Tax$110
Insurance$117
Front-End DTI34.8%
Back-End DTI40.8%
Down Payment10.9%

What This Means

Home affordability is primarily determined by the 28% front-end debt-to-income (DTI) ratio used by conventional lenders — meaning your total monthly housing costs (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. On a $30,000 salary, that's $700/month for housing. FHA loans use a more generous 31% DTI limit, which is why the FHA maximum of $95,000 is higher than the conventional limit of $85,000. These calculations assume a 6.875% fixed rate, 30-year term, 1.2% annual property tax, and $1,400/year homeowners insurance. Keep in mind that other monthly debts — car payments, student loans, credit cards — reduce the amount you can borrow, as lenders also consider your total (back-end) DTI ratio, typically capped at 36–43%.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much house can I afford on a $30,000 salary?
On a $30,000 salary, you can afford approximately $85,000 with a conventional loan (28% DTI ratio) or up to $95,000 with an FHA loan (31% DTI ratio), assuming a 6.875% rate and 30-year term.
What would my mortgage payment be on a $30,000 salary?
At the conventional maximum home price of $85,000, your estimated monthly principal and interest payment would be approximately $480 at a 6.875% interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage.
How much should I save for a down payment earning $30,000?
With a conventional loan (20% down on a $85,000 home), you'd need $17,000. FHA requires only 3.5% down — about $3,325.

Other Salary Ranges

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