How Much House Can I Afford on a $80K Salary?
4Homes Editorial Team
March 12, 2026
8 min readShare:
Earning $80,000 per year puts you in a solid position to purchase a home in many markets across the country. But how much home can you actually afford? The answer depends on your specific financial situation, including your debts, down payment savings, credit score, and the local market where you want to buy.
The 28/36 Rule
Most financial advisors recommend that your total housing costs should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. On an $80,000 salary, that translates to about $1,867 per month for your mortgage payment, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any HOA fees combined.
Running the Numbers
Using current average rates and a 10% down payment, here is a rough estimate of what you can afford:
- With 5% down and a 6.375% rate: approximately $280,000 to $310,000
- With 10% down and a 6.375% rate: approximately $310,000 to $340,000
- With 20% down and a 6.375% rate: approximately $340,000 to $370,000
Just because a lender approves you for a certain amount does not mean you should borrow the maximum. Leave room in your budget for savings, entertainment, and the unexpected costs of homeownership.
Key Takeaways
- 1On an $80K salary, a comfortable home price is typically between $280,000 and $370,000
- 2Follow the 28/36 rule: no more than 28% of gross income on housing, 36% on total debt
- 3Down payment size, interest rate, and local property taxes all affect your buying power
- 4Consider all housing costs, not just the mortgage payment, when calculating affordability