What is a good monthly debt-to-income ratio?

Asked by: Jakayla Cormier  |  Last update: February 5, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (22 votes)

Debt-to-income ratio of 36% or less With a DTI ratio of 36% or less, you probably have a healthy amount of income each month to put towards investments or savings. Most lenders will see you as a safe bet to afford monthly payments for a new loan or line of credit.

What is the ideal monthly debt-to-income ratio?

35% or less is generally viewed as favorable, and your debt is manageable. You likely have money remaining after paying monthly bills. 36% to 49% means your DTI ratio is adequate, but you have room for improvement. Lenders might ask for other eligibility requirements.

Is a 7% debt-to-income ratio good?

Debt-to-income ratio is your monthly debt obligations compared to your gross monthly income (before taxes), expressed as a percentage. A good debt-to-income ratio is less than or equal to 36%. Any debt-to-income ratio above 43% is considered to be too much debt.

How much debt should I have per month?

Ideally, financial experts like to see a DTI of no more than 15 to 20 percent of your net income. For example, a family with a $250 car payment and $100 of monthly credit card payments, and $2,500 net income per month would have a DTI of 14 percent ($350/$2,500 = 0.14 or 14%).

What is the average person's debt-to-income ratio?

Average American debt payments in 2024: 11.5% of income

The most recent debt payment-to-income ratio, from the second quarter of 2024, is 11.5%. That means the average American spends nearly 12% of their monthly income on debt payments.

How to Calculate Your Debt to Income Ratios (DTI) First Time Home Buyer Know this!

23 related questions found

How many people have $50,000 in credit card debt?

Running up $50,000 in credit card debt is not impossible. About two million Americans do it every year. Paying off that bill?

At what age are most people debt free?

The Standard Route is what credit companies and lenders recommend. If this is the graduate's choice, he or she will be debt free around the age of 58. It will take a total of 36 years to complete. It's a whole lot of time but it's the standard for a lot of people.

Can I afford a house making $70,000 a year?

With a $70,000 annual salary and using a 50% DTI, your home buying budget could potentially afford a house priced between $180,000 to $280,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions. This range is higher than what you might qualify for with more traditional DTI limits.

What is a good monthly income?

While this figure can vary based on factors such as location, family size, and lifestyle preferences, a common range for a good monthly salary is between $6,000 and $8,333 for individuals.

What is a good monthly income for a credit card?

If your monthly income is $2,500, your DTI ratio would be 64 percent, which might be too high to qualify for some credit cards. With an income of roughly $3,700 and the same debt, however, you'd have a DTI ratio of 43 percent and would have better chances of qualifying for a credit card.

What is a safe income to debt ratio?

35% or less: Looking Good - Relative to your income, your debt is at a manageable level. You most likely have money left over for saving or spending after you've paid your bills. Lenders generally view a lower DTI as favorable.

How much credit card debt is acceptable?

It's your credit card debt ratio. Generally, you never want your minimum credit card payments to exceed 10 percent of your net income. Net income is the income you take home after taxes and other deductions. You use the net income for this ratio because that's the income you must spend on bills and other expenses.

Is rent considered debt?

You may notice slight variations between different lenders' calculations of DTI, but generally, these amounts are considered debt: Monthly housing costs, including a mortgage, insurance, homeowners' association fees and property taxes. Rent payments. Home equity loans or lines of credit.

What is too high for debt-to-income ratio?

A debt-to-income ratio over 43% may prevent you from getting a Qualified Mortgage; possibly limiting you to approval for home loans that are more restrictive or expensive. Less favorable terms when you borrow or seek credit. If you have a high debt-to-income ratio, you will be seen as a more risky borrowing prospect.

Is car insurance considered in debt-to-income ratio?

It does not include health insurance, auto insurance, gas, utilities, cell phone, cable, groceries, or other non-recurring life expenses. The debts evaluated are: Any/all car, credit card, student, mortgage and/or other installment loan payments.

Is $5000 a month good for a single person?

A good monthly income in California is $5,002, based on what the Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that Californians pay for their cost of living. A good monthly income for you will depend on what your expenses are and how much you typically spend per month.

What percent of Americans make over 100k?

Only 18% of individual Americans make more than $100,000 a year, according to 2023 data from careers website Zippia. About 34% of U.S. households earn more than $100,000 a year, according to Zippia.

What is a rich monthly income?

The top 5% of income earners make $335,891 per year. What Is a Rich Monthly Income? The amount of money you need to make each month to be rich depends on which metric you're using. If you're going by the IRS standard, then you'd need to make approximately $45,000 a month to be rich.

What salary do you need for a 200k mortgage?

To comfortably afford a $200,000 house, you'll likely need an annual income between $50,000 to $65,000, 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.

Is 70K a year good for a single person?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the average salary in the U.S. is $65,470, as of May 2023. Based on this data point, $70K a year is a good salary for a single person — one that puts you above the national average. But just how far $70,000 can carry you varies from person to person.

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.

At what age should a house be paid off?

At What Age Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage? There is no specific age to pay off your mortgage, but a common rule of thumb is to be debt-free by your early to mid-60s.

What is the average credit card debt?

The average household has about $6,100 in credit card debt, but that number varies by demographic factors including age, family structure and education. Couples with children have higher credit card balances than singles and those with no children, carrying an average of $7,050 in credit card balances.

Where should I be financially at 45?

By the time you reach your 40s, you'll want to have around three times your annual salary saved for retirement. By age 50, you'll want to have around six times your salary saved.