How much house can I afford on a $70,000 salary?

About $297,216, with 20% down at this week's average rate and no other debt. Here is how debt and a smaller down payment change it, and where that budget buys the typical home.¹

By Sol Lakein, founder of Slower Sundays. Updated November 2026.

$297,216Home price¹$59,443 down
$1,633/moPrincipal and interest28% of gross pay
19 of 115Metros where it fits²Typical home at or under

How other debt changes it on $70,000

Car, student loan and card payments count against the 36% limit.¹

Other debt a month	Payment you can carry	Home price
$0	$1,633/mo	$297,216
$300	$1,633/mo	$297,216
$600	$1,500/mo	$272,953
$1,000	$1,100/mo	$200,166

With a smaller down payment

Same payment, less cash up front, so the price drops. Loans under 20% down usually add mortgage insurance, not counted here.¹

Down payment	Cash down	Home price
5%	$12,514	$250,287
10%	$26,419	$264,192
20%	$59,443	$297,216

Where $70,000 buys the typical home

The 12 priciest metros that still fit, out of 19.²

Metro	Typical home
Little Rock, AR	$294,975
Birmingham, AL	$289,950
New Orleans, LA	$287,000
St. Louis, MO	$285,950
Jackson, MS	$279,950
Texarkana, TX/AR	$275,000
Wichita, KS	$275,000
Detroit, MI	$274,950
Buffalo, NY	$267,450
Evansville, IN	$259,225
McAllen, TX	$258,750
Topeka, KS	$256,200

Run your own numbers

$70,000 salary: questions people ask

How much house can I afford on $70,000 a year?

About $297,216 with 20% down at 7.32%, if you have no other debt. That keeps principal and interest near $1,633 a month, 28% of gross pay. Property tax and insurance come on top.

How does debt change it on $70,000?

Every dollar of monthly debt payments above $467 lowers the payment you can carry. With $600 a month in other payments, the price falls to about $272,953.

Where does a $70,000 salary buy the typical home?

In 19 of the 115 metros we track, the median listing is at or under $297,216, including Little Rock, AR, Birmingham, AL, New Orleans, LA.

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Notes on the numbers

1The 28/36 rule: housing payment up to 28% of gross monthly income, and all debt payments, housing included, up to 36%. Lenders count property tax and insurance inside the 28%; this calculator counts principal and interest only, so add those costs before you set a budget. Rate: Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026, 7.32%, 30-year fixed. Rate source
2Typical home: the median listing price for each metro, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.

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