So someone earning $90,000 per year, can reasonably afford to spend between $22,500 and $29,700 on housing each year — which translates to between $1,875 and $2,475 per month. That's a substantial enough chunk of change to cover many mortgage payments.
By most definitions, an annual salary of $90,000 is considered good. In fact, it's quite a bit higher than the average salary nationwide, which is $63,795, according to the Social Security Administration.
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.
The Pew Research Center defines the middle class as households that earn between two-thirds and double the median U.S. household income, which was $80,610 in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 22 Using Pew's yardstick, middle income is made up of people who make between $43,350 and $130,000.
How much is 6 figures? 6 figures is any salary between $100,000 and $999,999, or a dollar amount with 6 digits.
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.
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.
Following the 28/36 rule, a guideline many mortgage lenders use to gauge how much you can afford, you'd likely need to earn at least $90,000 per year to afford a $350,000 house without spreading yourself too thin. Keep in mind that figure does not include upfront payments, like your down payment and closing costs.
Statisticians say middle class is a household income between $25,000 and $100,000 a year.
A $100,000 salary is considered good in most parts of the country, and can cover typical expenses, pay down debt, build savings, and allow for entertainment and hobbies. According to the U.S. Census, only 15.3% of American households make more than $100,000 annually.
The general rule of thumb is that you should spend no more than 30% of your gross income — that is, your income before taxes — on housing per year.
To afford a $400,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $100,000 to $125,000, which translates to a gross monthly income of approximately $8,333 to $10,417. However, this is a general range, and your specific circumstances will determine the exact income required.
If you make $90,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $43.27.
On a $90,000 salary, you could potentially afford a house worth between $280,000 to $320,000, depending on your specific financial situation. This range assumes you have a good credit score and manageable existing debts.
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.
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.
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 ...
If you're raising a family of four in 2024, you'll need a six-figure income in 26 U.S. states. That's more than half of America where you'll need to earn $100,000 or more annually to budget for and comfortably raise a family.
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.
$90,000 per year is going to be pushing the upper limit of what I'd be comfortable with as a general rule. Whether it will work for you, however, is highly individualized. I'll give you an overview of some of the things you'll want to look into before deciding if you are comfortable with spending $90,000 per year.
Making $100,000 now is the equivalent of making $30,000 back then: middle class and not particularly comfortable. But this didn't happen overnight in 2021 or 2007.