Lenders size a mortgage against your income and existing debts. The long-standing guideline is the 28/36 rule: your monthly housing payment should stay at or below 28% of gross monthly income, and all monthly debt payments combined, including the new housing payment, should stay at or below 36%. This calculator applies both limits and returns the lower of the two, then works backward to the home price that fits.
Your monthly payment is more than principal and interest. A realistic estimate is a PITI figure that folds in property taxes and homeowner’s insurance, plus HOA dues where they apply. Property taxes in Texas run higher than the national average, so the tax field matters a lot to the final number. Adjust the inputs to see how a larger down payment, a shorter term, or a different rate changes what you can comfortably afford.