Percentage of Income for Mortgage: Your Complete Guide

Did you know that 28% of your income is the magic number for homeownership? But what happens if you stretch that to 36% or beyond? Understanding the percentage of income for a mortgage can make or break your financial future.

With housing prices soaring 5.7% over the past year, knowing how much of your income should go to a mortgage is no longer optional. It’s essential for making smart decisions.

If you regret your mortgage payment every month, understanding the right percentage of income to allocate for housing could save you from future stress.

Homebuyers who ignore income-to-mortgage ratios often end up overpaying or become house-poor. Learn the rules of mortgage payments before you commit a financial mistake.

Let’s clarify the numbers to help you make a confident choice regarding mortgage affordability.‍

Determining how much of your income you should allocate towards your mortgage is one of the toughest questions to answer.

You need a balanced mortgage-to-income ratio that makes you stay safe financially and sets the foundation for long-term wealth building.

Your mortgage is one of the largest recurring expenses in your expenses. When you overcommit to these payments it can lead to:

• Financial strain
• Limit your ability to save for your future
• Make you unable to cover your unexpected expenses

But on the flipside allocating too little of your income towards a mortgage can restrict your ability to purchase a home.

All you need to have is the right balance between:

• Established guidelines
• Market Conditions
• Your financial situation‍

Wondering what percentage of income should go to the mortgage? Below are the key metrics for affording your mortgage:

Get Pre-Qualified and Save Up to 1.5% at Closing with reAlpha

Save up to 1.5% at closing when you combine real estate and mortgage services with reAlpha.

Check If You Qualify

This rule means that your total monthly housing expenses like principal, interest, taxes, and insurance(PITI) should not go over 28% of your gross monthly income.

Why is it important: Because when you stay within this limit it ensures that you comfortably manage your mortgage without compromising other financial goals.

Example: If your gross monthly income is $6,000, your total housing expenses should not exceed $1,680.‍

This rule states that your monthly debt obligation (including your mortgage, credit cards, student loans, etc.) should not exceed 36% of your monthly gross income.

Why is it important: This rule provides you with a more holistic view of your financial health as it accounts for all your debts.

Example: With a gross monthly income of $6,000, your total debt payments should be no more than $2,160.‍

If you go beyond a certain threshold of 43% of your debt-to-income ratio then it can be challenging to secure a loan. As lenders, this 43% is the upper limit to determine your mortgage eligibility. 

Why is it important: This is important because if you stay below the 43% cap of your DTI, it’ll be easier to get a mortgage.

Example: For a gross monthly income of $6,000, your maximum total debt payments (including the mortgage) should be $2,580.‍

This rule states that your housing expenses should not exceed 25% of your take-home pay after taxes for added financial security.

Why is it important: This model accounts for actual cash flow and ensures you have plenty of room for savings and discretionary spending.

Here’s how these metrics impact your financial health:

1. Avoiding "House Poor" Syndrome: Following the guidelines presented above helps you avoid being house-poor. Being “house poor” means a situation where most of your income is spent on housing expenses, leaving you no room to save for retirement, emergencies, or any leisurely activity.
2. Preparing for Unexpected Expenses: There are many surprising costs when it comes to homeownership. It can be appliance repairs, increasing property taxes, or rising utility bills. When you keep your mortgage within its limits, it makes it easier to pay for these expenses.
3. Improving Loan Approval Odds: Staying within the limits presented above also makes it easier to get loan approvals, and secure a better mortgage at a lesser interest rate which saves you a ton of money in the future.‍

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

If you’re confused about how you can customize your affordability to meet your financial goals then make sure you follow the decision tree given below:

Are you a first-time buyer?

Yes → Stick to 25% of post-tax income.

No → Proceed to the next step.

Yes → Consider 28-36% gross income.

No → Stick to 25% of post-tax income.

Yes → Focus on reducing debt and cap housing costs at 25%.

No → Proceed as above.

Buying a Home? Get up to 1.5% Cash Back at Closing

Get pre-approval first, then start exploring homes knowing you can receive up to 1.5% of the home price back at closing.

Find your dream home

Your mortgage payment isn’t just a single number. Rather it is a combination of several critical components.

Let’s break it down so you understand how each element affects your monthly budget:

The principal is the loan amount you borrow from your lender. If you buy a $300,000 home with a $60,000 down payment, your principal is $240,000.

Pro Tip: A lower principal directly reduces your monthly payments. You can do this by paying a bigger down payment.

This is what you pay your lender every month. It is calculated on the basis of the percentage of the remaining principal.

It is important to secure a better interest rate, as it can dramatically impact your monthly payments.

Example: On a $240,000 loan with a 5% interest rate, your monthly payment could be $1,288. With a 7% rate, it jumps to $1,597.

Boost your credit to qualify for better rates.

Shop around and compare lenders offering better interest rates.

These taxes are calculated based on your home’s assessed value and the local tax rate. These are included in your monthly mortgage payments:

Impact on affordability: Taxes vary widely by location. A $300,000 home in Texas may have annual taxes of $6,000, while the same home in Tennessee might only cost $1,500 in taxes.

Pro Tip: Check the property tax rates before buying, especially if you’re comparing homes in different states.

If you have a mortgage then homeowners insurance is mandatory. This protects you against risks like fire, theft, or natural disasters.

However, premiums of your homeowner's insurance depend on location, the size of your home, and coverage levels. Expect to pay between $800 and $2,000 annually.

Pro Tip: Combine home and auto insurance for discounts.

PITI stands for Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance. These are the 4 elements that consist of your monthly mortgage.

Lenders use PITI to determine how much of a home you can afford. For most people, it mustn’t exceed 28% of their gross monthly income.

Let’s find out how these components affect your monthly budget with an illustration:

• Home Price: $300,000

• Down Payment: $60,000

• Loan Term: 30 years at 6% interest

• Annual Taxes: $4,000

• Insurance Premium: $1,200

Your monthly payment might look like this:

• Principal & Interest: $1,440

• Taxes: $333

• Insurance: $100

• Total (PITI): $1,873

Below are the key points to consider when calculating average mortgage payment monthly:

• Mortgage Rule of Thumb: Follow the 28% rule as it ensures your PITI remains within a healthy range.

• Your Financial Standing: Combine your mortgage payments with other debts like car loans or credit cards. This helps you find out your overall debt. Try to keep your total debt-to-income ratio below 36%.

• Hidden Costs: There are hidden costs like HOA fees, private mortgage insurance (PMI), and maintenance costs. Factor in these costs as it can push your monthly housing expenses.

Lenders evaluate your profile based on certain criteria to find out how much you can get approved for. Let’s break down each factor in detail:

• Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): Lenders use this as a key metric to find out if you can handle a mortgage along with your existing debt. 43% DTI is the upper limit for qualified mortgages. Therefore your total debts mustn't exceed 36% of your gross monthly income. One thing you can do is lower your DTI by paying off high-interest debts before applying.

• Credit Score: A higher credit score is important as it provides you with options for better interest rates and loan terms. You can boost your credit score by reducing credit utilization and avoiding new credit inquiries. The credit score requirement for an FHA loan is 580+, 620+ for conventional loans and for VA 640+ is preferred by many lenders.

• Down Payment: A bigger downpayment can reduce your loan-to-value ratio (LTV) which can lower your monthly payments. To give a downpayment you can either save aggressively or explore down payment assistance programs in your area. Typical downpayment requirements for conventional loans are 5% to 20%, for an FHA loan it is as low as 3.5% and for VA it is often 0%.

• Loan Term and Interest Rate: Shorter terms (15 years) mean higher monthly payments but lower overall costs. Longer terms (30 years) offer affordability but accrue more interest. Even a 1% difference in rates can significantly affect your monthly payment.

• Income Stability and Employment History: Lenders favor borrowers with consistent income and a steady job history. Avoid changing jobs before or during the mortgage process.

Your take-home pay for a mortgage depends on many factors. Here’s how you can increase your take-home pay by decreasing the mortgage costs:

• Refinancing for a Better Rate: A lower interest rate can reduce your monthly payment significantly. You can refinance when your credit score has improved, or market rates have dropped at least 1% to 2%.

• Increase Your Down Payment: Larger down payments reduce the loan amount, and LTV ratio, and even eliminate private mortgage insurance (PMI) on conventional loans.

• Choosing Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs): ARMs start with lower rates than fixed-rate mortgages, making them ideal for short-term homeowners. Rates adjust after the initial fixed period, so plan for potential increases.

• Consider FHA, VA, and Conventional Loans: You can also compare offers to find the most affordable options when it comes to types of loans. You can go for an FHA loan if you can pay a lower down payment and have a lower credit score or vice-versa if it is a conventional loan.

• Extend Your Loan Term: Extending your loan term from 15 to 30 years can lower your mortgage. However, you should consider the income-to-house loan ratio as it increases your total interest over the life of your loan.

Below are a few additional tips to boost your financial confidence:

• Budgeting for Take-Home Pay: Stick to the 25%-28% rule of post-tax income for housing expenses.

• Emergency Fund Cushion: Ensure you have 3-6 months of living expenses saved before buying a home.

• Monitor Monthly Expenses: Avoid being "house poor" by factoring in maintenance, utilities, and HOA fees.

Understanding if you’re paying too much for your mortgage isn’t just about numbers. It’s about securing a financial future that aligns with your lifestyle and goals.

You can use reAlpha’s Affordability Calculator to assess your financial situation and find a mortgage plan that works for you.

By taking a few simple actions now, you can ensure your mortgage supports, not limits, your journey toward homeownership success.