How Much House Can I Afford? (2026 Guide)
Data current for 2026 tax year
How much house can I afford on my salary?
On a $75K salary, you can afford roughly a $247,000–$293,000 home (total monthly housing cost ~$1,748). On $100K, the range is $330,000–$390,000. Your exact number depends on state property taxes, insurance, existing debt, and your interest rate.
This guide breaks down house affordability for $50K–$150K salaries across Texas, California, Florida, New York, and Illinois using the 28% DTI rule and 2026 tax data.
Quick comparison — $75K salary by state:
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State data assumptions (2026-01): State figures are estimates, not statutory lookups: state income tax uses a single effective rate (states with progressive brackets are approximated for a $50k–$100k salary, not the top marginal rate), and property tax, insurance and median home price are statewide averages. Federal tax and FICA come from the 2026 federal engine.
House Affordability by Salary ($50K–$150K)
| Salary | Max Home (National) | Monthly Payment | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $180,000 | $910/mo | $3,321/mo |
| $75K | $270,000 | $1,365/mo | $4,820/mo |
| $100K | $360,000 | $1,820/mo | $6,182/mo |
| $125K | $451,000 | $2,281/mo | $7,538/mo |
| $150K | $541,000 | $2,736/mo | $8,858/mo |
Best & Worst States for Homebuyers
✅ Best States
- Texas — No income tax, high take-home pay
- Florida — No income tax, moderate home prices
- Illinois — Affordable homes outside Chicago
🔴 Most Expensive States
- California — Median home $793K, high taxes
- New York — High taxes + high property costs
House Affordability by State
$50K Salary
| State | Max Home | Monthly | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $167,000 | $1,166 | Difficult |
| California | $195,000 | $1,166 | Difficult |
| Florida | $180,000 | $1,164 | Difficult |
| New York | $174,000 | $1,165 | Difficult |
| Illinois | $165,000 | $1,167 | Tight |
$75K Salary
| State | Max Home | Monthly | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $250,000 | $1,747 | Tight |
| California | $293,000 | $1,753 | Difficult |
| Florida | $271,000 | $1,752 | Tight |
| New York | $262,000 | $1,753 | Difficult |
| Illinois | $247,000 | $1,747 | Comfortable |
$100K Salary
| State | Max Home | Monthly | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $334,000 | $2,335 | Comfortable |
| California | $390,000 | $2,333 | Difficult |
| Florida | $361,000 | $2,334 | Tight |
| New York | $349,000 | $2,335 | Tight |
| Illinois | $330,000 | $2,335 | Affordable |
Browse by State
Browse by Salary Level
Related Tools & Guides
This guide follows standard financial planning rules (28–36% housing ratio) and uses 2026 IRS tax brackets, state-specific tax rates, and current median home prices.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much house can I afford on my salary?
What salary do you need to buy a $300,000 house?
Which states are cheapest for homebuyers?
How much should I spend on housing per month?
Does state income tax affect how much house I can afford?
How this is calculated
Formula, assumptions, and sources — reviewed May 26, 2026
How this is calculated
Formula, assumptions, and sources — reviewed May 26, 2026
Formula
Assumptions
- 28/36 DTI thresholds from Fannie Mae underwriting guidelines (housing ≤ 28%, total debt ≤ 36% of gross income).
- State-level property tax rates use 2026 effective rate averages from Tax Foundation.
- State income taxes reflect 2026 brackets published by each state's Department of Revenue.
- A 20% down payment, 30-year fixed mortgage, and a 6.5% illustrative interest rate are used unless stated otherwise.
- Homeowner's insurance is estimated at 0.35% of home value annually (national average, Insurance Information Institute).
- HOA fees, PMI, and closing costs are excluded from the affordability ceiling shown per state.
Sources
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide — Debt-to-Income Ratios — Origin of the 28/36 underwriting rule
- Tax Foundation — 2026 State Property Tax Rates — Effective property tax rates by state
- IRS — 2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets — Federal marginal rates
- Insurance Information Institute — Homeowner Insurance Facts — Average premium as % of home value
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