How Much House Can I Afford on One Income?

How Much House Can I Afford on One Income?
Quick answer: On a single income, your home price range depends entirely on what that income is. At $50,000 you can afford roughly $157,000–$184,000. At $70,000 the range is $225,000–$247,000. At $100,000 it climbs to $351,000–$378,000. All figures use current 30-year mortgage rates of 6.31%–6.36% and a 28% front-end DTI limit.
[META: Buying a home on one income? See what you can afford at every salary level, which states qualify, and how to maximize your buying power alone.]
How much house can I afford on one income is a question more buyers face than ever — single-person households, single parents, and couples where one partner stays home or is between jobs. The math is the same as any other affordability calculation. The difference is you're doing it without a second income to expand the ceiling.
What the 28/36 Rule Means on a Single Income
Lenders don't care whether your income comes from one person or two. They apply the same 28% front-end rule: your monthly mortgage payment (PITI) can't exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. The 36% back-end rule limits total monthly debt to 36% of gross income.
The challenge of buying on one income is that you can't average out a lower salary with a higher one. Every dollar of car loan, student debt, or credit card minimum comes directly out of the single borrower's DTI. Single-income buyers are more exposed to back-end DTI limits than dual-income buyers with the same gross household income.
How Much House You Can Afford by Income Level
This table shows the maximum home price at each income level using the 28% conventional rule and the FHA 31% rule, both at current rates (6.36% conventional, 6.31% FHA).
Annual IncomeMonthly GrossMax PITI (28%)Conventional PriceFHA Price (3.5% down)$50,000$4,167$1,167$184,000$157,000$60,000$5,000$1,400$221,000$196,000$70,000$5,833$1,633$247,000$225,000$80,000$6,667$1,867$299,000$274,000$100,000$8,333$2,333$378,000$351,000
All FHA prices assume 3.5% down with 0.55% annual MIP included in the PITI estimate. Conventional prices assume 20% down. Actual qualification depends on state taxes, insurance, and your existing debt load.

Use the Housing Affordability Calculator to enter your exact income, state, and down payment for a personalized PITI estimate.

Which States Work for Single-Income Buyers?
State matters as much as salary. Below is the monthly PITI on each state's median home, alongside which single income levels can realistically qualify.
StateMedian PITIMin. Income to Qualify (28%)Min. Income to Qualify (FHA 31%)Ohio$1,920$82,300$74,400Pennsylvania$2,190$93,900$84,900Tennessee$2,210$94,700$85,500North Carolina$2,330$99,900$90,400Georgia$2,420$103,700$93,500Texas$2,640$113,100$102,200Florida$2,820$120,900$109,200Arizona$2,920$125,100$113,200Colorado$3,680$157,700$142,500California$5,500$235,700$212,900
Ohio is the most accessible state for single-income buyers across all salary levels. A $75,000 solo income qualifies via FHA in Ohio. For most other states, you need $85,000–$100,000 in individual income or must target below-median home prices.
FHA vs. Conventional on One Income
For single-income buyers, FHA almost always wins. The 3.5% down requirement preserves cash that a solo earner may have taken longer to save. FHA's more generous DTI limits (31% front-end, 43% back-end) give you more monthly budget than conventional's 28%/36% caps.
The one exception: if your income is $100,000+ and you've saved 20% down, conventional avoids mortgage insurance and delivers a lower all-in monthly cost. Below that threshold, FHA's lower down payment and flexible DTI outweigh the MIP cost.
How to Maximize Buying Power on One Income
Build a larger down payment
Every additional percentage point of down payment reduces your loan amount and monthly PITI. On a $250,000 home, going from 3.5% to 10% down saves roughly $76 per month and eliminates MIP after 11 years. Paired with DPA programs, you may be able to reach 10% down faster than expected.
Use a co-signer instead of a co-borrower
A co-signer adds their income to your qualification without appearing on the title or being obligated to occupy the home. This lets you use a parent or family member's income to qualify for a larger loan while remaining the sole owner. The co-signer's DTI is also affected — confirm they have room before applying.
Target below-median home prices
Median home prices are midpoints — half of all homes sell for less. In Ohio, for example, homes in Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown regularly list below $160,000, well within reach of a $60,000–$70,000 single income. Targeting markets within qualifying states that skew below the state median is the highest-leverage move for single-income buyers.
Use DPA programs strategically
The Chenoa Fund, state HFA grants, and FHFA First-Generation DPA (up to $25,000) all reduce the cash required at closing and can lower your loan amount. On a $196,000 FHA purchase at $60,000 income, a $10,000 DPA grant reduces monthly PITI by $62 and cuts your cash-to-close from $6,860 to under $1,000 after the grant is applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much house can I afford on one income?
It depends on your income. At $60,000, you can afford roughly $190,000–$221,000. At $80,000, that range climbs to $274,000–$299,000. At $100,000, most buyers qualify for $351,000–$378,000. Use the Housing Affordability Calculator to get a personalized number based on your state, down payment, and debt load.
Is it harder to get a mortgage on one income?
The qualification math is identical — lenders apply the same DTI rules whether you have one income or two. The practical challenge is that a single income offers no buffer if your DTI is close to the limit. One existing debt (car loan, student loan) can reduce your qualifying home price by $30,000–$50,000 more noticeably than it would on a combined income.
What credit score do I need to buy a house alone?
FHA loans accept scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down. Conventional loans typically want 620 or higher. For single-income buyers, a score of 700+ is worth pursuing before applying — it reduces your rate by 0.50–1.00 percentage points and lowers or eliminates PMI, both of which meaningfully expand what you can afford alone.
What is the 28/36 rule for mortgages?
The 28/36 rule states that your monthly mortgage payment (PITI) should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income, and total monthly debt should not exceed 36%. FHA loans allow higher ratios — 31% front-end and 43% back-end standard, or 40%/57% with compensating factors like strong credit or cash reserves.
Can a single person afford a house in 2026?
Yes — in the right market with the right loan. Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and parts of the South have markets accessible to single incomes of $65,000–$80,000. High-cost metros like San Francisco, Miami, and Denver require $150,000+ in individual income to qualify alone at median prices. The combination of FHA financing, DPA programs, and targeting below-median homes makes single-income homeownership achievable in more places than most buyers realize.
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