Budget Calculator
Calculate how much house you can afford based on your income, debt, and down payment
Set your budget first. The calculators below estimate an affordable price range and monthly payment based on your numbers.
1. Zillow - Home Affordability Calculator
Key Features:
- Input income, monthly debt, down payment, and interest rate → calculates affordable price range
- Choose "by income" vs "by home price" calculation methods
- Directly integrates with Zillow's vast inventory of homes for sale
- Results show which homes fit your budget immediately
Perfect for: Buyers who want to quickly know "how much house can I afford" and immediately browse available homes.
Pro tip: Zillow tends to be optimistic - consider being 5-10% more conservative than the results.
2. Redfin - Affordability Calculator
Key Features:
- Input parameters directly filter Redfin's home search results
- Clean, fast interface for Redfin users
- Streamlined workflow from calculation to home browsing
Perfect for: Buyers already using Redfin who want seamless transition to home search.
3. NerdWallet - Home Affordability Calculator
Key Features:
- Results include recommended loan options and down payment requirements
- Separate "by income" and "by monthly payment" calculation methods
- Integrated lender recommendations (filter as needed)
Perfect for: Buyers wanting straightforward calculations while browsing loan options.
4. Bankrate - Mortgage Calculator
Key Features:
- Clear interface supporting HOA fees, property tax, insurance, and other detailed inputs
- Shows PITI breakdown (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance)
- Adjustable loan terms and interest rates for sensitivity analysis
- Comprehensive payment analysis with amortization schedules
Perfect for: Buyers wanting rigorous estimates, especially for Seattle homes with HOA fees or high property taxes.
5. Mortgage Professor - Advanced Calculators
Key Features:
- Hundreds of professional mortgage calculators (APR, ARM vs Fixed, prepayment savings, etc.)
- Comprehensive analysis tools for loan structure research
- More technical interface but extremely thorough
Perfect for: Engineers, finance professionals, or buyers who want to deeply research loan structures beyond basic affordability.
Summary Recommendations
Quick & Visual → Zillow, Redfin
More Realistic (includes taxes/insurance/HOA) → Bankrate
With Loan Recommendations → NerdWallet
Deep Analysis/Professional → Mortgage Professor
Related Resources
- Home-Buying Budget Framework — A detailed, step‑by‑step guide to building your budget for Seattle
- Rent vs Buy Calculator — Recommended online calculators to compare renting vs buying before you set a budget
- Property Type Finder — A quick questionnaire to align home types with your budget and needs
- Location Research Toolkit — Screen crime, environment, noise, and other neighborhood factors that affect affordability
- School District Resources — Official data and boundary lookups if schools are a top constraint
This tool provides general information only. Always consult with qualified professionals for personalized advice.