Is a 500k house expensive?

Asked by: Britney Kirlin  |  Last update: November 26, 2025
Score: 5/5 (57 votes)

As of the third quarter of 2024, the median sales price for a single-family home is $500,000 or higher in 36 U.S. cities, according to the Metropolitan Median Area Prices and Affordability and Housing Affordability Index from the National Association of Realtors.

Is 500,000 dollars a lot for a house?

In general: In high-cost regions like major coastal cities, a $500000 home would likely be considered a relatively modest or even ``affordable'' home, as the median home price can exceed $1 million.

What income do you need for a 500K house?

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.

How much does it cost to own a 500K house?

Bankrate's mortgage calculator shows that for a $500,000 home purchase, assuming a 20 percent down payment and a 30-year mortgage loan at an interest rate of 6.5 percent, the monthly principal and interest payment will come to $2,528. Multiply that figure by 12 to come to an annual amount of $30,336.

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

At $100K income, you can get an $450K mortgage. You will need a bigger down payment. Work on a budget and see if you can keep up with all the payments. It would be very tight.

You Need To Make This Much To Buy A 500k Home

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How much is the monthly payment on a 500k house?

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.

Can I afford a 700k house with 100k salary?

While there's no one set income level that will automatically qualify you for a $700,000 mortgage, using the rule of thumb that your housing payment should be no more than a third of your gross monthly income, you'll likely need somewhere between $180,000 and $200,000 per year to qualify, depending on other factors ...

What credit score is needed for a $500,000 house?

Expect most mortgage lenders to want minimum credit scores of 620 or even 640.

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 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.

How much down payment for a 400K house first time buyer?

You'll need a down payment of $12,000, or 3 percent, if you're buying a $400K house with a conventional loan. Meanwhile, an FHA loan requires a slightly higher down payment of $14,000, equivalent to 3.5 percent of the purchase price.

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.

What is the average down payment on a house?

"It's definitely not required." Nationally, the average down payment on a house is closer to 10% or 15%, Hale said. In some states, the average is well below 20% while some are even below 10%, she added. Some loans and programs are available to help interest buyers purchase homes through lower down payments.

How to save 100k in 3 years?

Below, I've broken down the things I did and included some tips that can help you with your own savings plan.
  1. I contributed to my retirement via a 401k offered by my employer. ...
  2. I kept my expenses low. ...
  3. I focused on saving 40% to 50% of each paycheck and anything extra. ...
  4. I started a side hustle.

Why are wealthy Americans opting not to buy a home?

Because of rising housing costs, these young millionaires opted to rent instead since it is more affordable. Moneywise, citing a RentCafe report, said that the number of millionaires who are opting to rent a flat or an apartment instead of owning their dream home has tripled in the last five years.

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.

What is considered rich?

Someone who has $1 million in liquid assets, for instance, is usually considered to be a high net worth (HNW) individual. You might need $5 million to $10 million to qualify as having a very high net worth while it may take $30 million or more to be considered ultra-high net worth.

Can you live comfortably on 500k?

Yes, it is possible to retire comfortably on $500k. This amount allows for an annual withdrawal of $30,000 and below from the age of 60 to 85, covering 25 years. If $20,000 a year, or $1,667 a month, meets your lifestyle needs, then $500k is enough for your retirement. Is $500k enough?

How to make extra $2000 a month?

We've rounded up the best side hustles and quick-cash gigs to help you make that extra cash in no time.
  1. Sell items online. ...
  2. Become a freelancer. ...
  3. Participate in online surveys and market research. ...
  4. Drive for rideshare services. ...
  5. Rent out a room on Airbnb. ...
  6. Babysit or pet sit for neighbors and friends.

How much house can I afford with $10,000 down?

If you have a conventional loan, $800 in monthly debt obligations and a $10,000 down payment, you can afford a home that's around $250,000 in today's interest rate environment.

How much monthly payment for a 500k 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 do I need to make to afford a 250k house?

To cover the monthly mortgage payment on a $250,000 mortgage, you'll need an income of around $76,000 a year. For the most accurate estimate, you will need to know your exact interest rate, property taxes, home insurance, and home loan term.

What salary can afford a $1 million dollar house?

To comfortably afford a home valued at $1 million, financial experts recommend an annual salary between $269,000 and $366,000. This range, however, is subject to variation depending on your: Annual income. Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)

How much house for 3k a month?

If you make $3,000 a month ($36,000 a year), your DTI with an FHA loan should be no more than $1,290 ($3,000 x 0.43) — which means you can afford a house with a monthly payment that is no more than $900 ($3,000 x 0.31). FHA loans typically allow for a lower down payment and credit score if certain requirements are met.

How much income do I need for a $500,000 mortgage?

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.