How Much House Can I Afford on an $80k Salary?
On an $80,000 annual income, you can typically qualify for a home between $295,000 and $448,000 depending on your down payment, existing debts, and loan type. Here are the real numbers at 2026 rates.
$80k salary — home affordability by debt load
Assumes 6.75% rate · 30-year fixed · 43% back-end DTI · Taxes 1.1%/yr · Insurance 0.35%/yr.
| Monthly Debts | FHA (3.5% down) | Payment | Conv. 3% down | Payment | Conv. 20% down | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0/mo | $357k | $2,863/mo | $363k | $2,869/mo | $448k | $2,866/mo |
| $300/mo | $320k | $2,566/mo | $325k | $2,569/mo | $401k | $2,565/mo |
| $500/mo | $295k | $2,366/mo | $299k | $2,363/mo | $370k | $2,367/mo |
Monthly payment includes principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and MIP/PMI where applicable. For educational purposes only.
Frequently asked questions
How much house can I afford on an $80,000 salary?
With no existing debts, $357,000 with FHA (3.5% down) or $448,000 with conventional 20% down at 2026 rates. With $500/month in debts, your range drops to $295,000–$370,000. These use Fannie Mae's 43% back-end DTI. Enter your exact numbers in the calculator for a precise figure.
What is the monthly payment on an $80k salary?
At 43% DTI, your maximum monthly PITI is about $2,867. On a $357k FHA purchase at 6.75%, that's approximately $2,863/month including MIP, taxes, and insurance. Most advisors suggest keeping housing at 28–31% of gross income — that's $1,867–$2,067/month on $80k for a more comfortable budget.
How much do I need saved to buy on an $80k salary?
FHA on $357k: ~$23,200 total (down + closing costs). Conventional 3% on $363k: ~$20,000. Conventional 20% on $448k: ~$100,800. Most $80k earners target FHA or conventional 3% down. A savings of $28,000 covers FHA with a small buffer.
Does debt affect buying power on $80k?
Every $100/month in existing debt reduces your qualifying price by roughly $12,000–$15,000. A $300/month car payment drops your FHA max from $357k to $320k. A $500/month debt load brings it to $295k. Paying off a car loan before buying can meaningfully increase your range.