How do people afford a $500,000 house?

Asked by: Agustin Shields  |  Last update: May 3, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (65 votes)

To comfortably afford a $500,000 house, you'll likely need an annual income between $125,000 to $160,000, depending on your specific financial situation and the terms of your mortgage. Remember, just because you can qualify for a loan doesn't mean you should stretch your budget to the maximum.

What should your income be for a $500,000 house?

The salary to afford a 500K house ranges between $101,040 and $180,429, assuming a 30 year mortgage, a 7.48% interest rate, and down payment between zero and $15,000. We'll talk about ways to expand this range, but this is a good baseline for setting expectations and budgeting for buying a $500,000 house.

How much do I need to save for a $500,000 house?

Down payment: Depends on loan type (e.g., 3.5% for FHA loans, or $17,500 for a $500,000 home). Approximate total needed: About $27,500-$28,750 for a $500,000 home, including closing costs.

What do I need to get approved for a $500,000 mortgage?

To qualify for a $500000 mortgage, you generally need an annual income of at least $66000, assuming a 20% down payment and a DTI ratio of 43%. Adjustments may be needed based on your specific financial situation and the lender's requirements.

What is the average monthly payment for a $500,000 house?

Monthly payments on a $500,000 mortgage by interest rate

At a 7.00% fixed interest rate, your monthly mortgage payment on a 30-year mortgage might total $3,327 a month, while a 15-year might cost $4,494 a month.

How Much You Need To Make To Afford A $500,000 House

41 related questions found

Can I afford a 400k house on 100k salary?

100k Salary How Much House Can I Afford: Example

Assuming a 20% down payment and a 4% interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, you could potentially afford a home priced around $400,000.

Is 500k a lot of money?

Savings of $500,000 may sound like a lot of money. And it is. But if you retire at age 45 to live off of that amount alone, it may not last very long unless you live very frugally. Even then, those savings may get consumed while you're still living.

What credit score do I need for a $500000 loan?

No pre-set credit score but expect lenders to require 620 or higher.

What is the 28/36 rule?

According to the 28/36 rule, you should spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing and no more than 36% on all debts. Housing costs can include: Your monthly mortgage payment. Homeowners Insurance. Private mortgage insurance.

Can I afford a house on 70k a year?

The Bottom Line. On a $70,000 salary using a 50% DTI, you could potentially afford a house worth between $200,000 to $250,000, depending on your specific financial situation.

How much do I need to make to afford a 550k house?

To afford a $550,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $135,000 to $180,000, depending on your financial situation, down payment, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a general range, and your specific circumstances will determine the exact income required.

How much money should you have left after buying a house?

How much money should you have leftover after buying a house? After buying a home, the amount you have left will vary depending on your financial situation. However, it's a good idea to have at least three to six months of living expenses in reserve. That way, in case of an emergency, you can stay afloat financially.

How to afford a $1,000,000 home?

Strategies to Afford a Million Dollar Home
  1. Increase Your Down Payment: Reduces the loan amount and monthly payments. ...
  2. Improve Your Credit Score: Can lead to slightly better interest rates.
  3. Pay Off Other Debts: Improves your debt-to-income ratio.
  4. Consider a Co-Borrower: Combining incomes can increase affordability.

Can I afford a 500K house if I make 100k a year?

That monthly payment comes to $36,000 annually. Applying the 28/36 rule, which states that you shouldn't spend more than around a third of your income on housing, multiply $36,000 by three and you get $108,000. So to afford a $500K house you'd have to make at least $108,000 per year.

Is a 500K house expensive?

Considering that the average cost of a house in America is currently hovering around $370,000, our $500,000 price should give us a fairly average size house with plenty to spare.

What is the 3X income house rule?

Home-Buying Rule #3: Limit the value of your target home to no more than 3X your annual household gross income. The final part of my 30/30/3 rule is great for doing a quick scan at homes you can afford. Home affordability based on cash flow is a function of the price you pay for the home.

What qualifies as house poor?

House Poor: What It Means And How To Avoid It. What is house poor? The expressions “house poor” and “house broke” refer to homeowners spending more than they can afford on housing costs, which can include mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintenance and utility costs.

What is the golden rule of mortgage?

The Rule of 28 – Your monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. This is often considered the “Golden Rule,” and many lenders abide by it.

Is 50% of income too much for a mortgage?

Is 50% of take-home pay too much for a mortgage? Paying 50% of your take-home pay on a mortgage is often seen as too high. In general, keeping your housing costs, including your mortgage, below 28% of your gross income is recommended.

What is the monthly payment on a $500,000 mortgage?

So, what does a $500,000 mortgage payment look like if you're trying to budget for your first or next home? The mortgage on a $500,000 house is $2,952 per month toward your mortgage principal and mortgage interest, assuming a 6.86% interest rate and a 30-year fixed term with 10% down.

Is a 900 credit score possible?

What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.

How much do I need to make a year to afford a $400,000 house?

Your payment should not be more than 28%. of your total gross monthly income. That means you'll need to make 11,500 dollars a month, or 138 k per year.

Can I retire at 60 with 300k?

£300k in a pension isn't a huge amount to retire on at the fairly young age of 60, but it's possible for certain lifestyles depending on how your pension fund performs while you're retired and how much you need to live on.

Do millionaires pay off debt or invest?

They stay away from debt.

Car payments, student loans, same-as-cash financing plans—these just aren't part of their vocabulary. That's why they win with money. They don't owe anything to the bank, so every dollar they earn stays with them to spend, save and give! Debt is the biggest obstacle to building wealth.