Mortgage Required Income Calculator
Find the income needed to qualify for a mortgage payment using the 28% front-end and 36% back-end debt-to-income limits.
Independently verified for accuracy
Calculator by Toolsloft ↗- Required annual income
- $85,714.29
- Required monthly income
- $7,142.86
- By front-end rule
- $7,142.86
- By back-end rule
- $6,944.44
This calculator works backward from a mortgage payment to the income a lender wants to see. It applies the front-end and back-end debt-to-income limits and reports the higher of the two, since a borrower has to clear both tests to qualify.
How this is calculated
The front-end income is the housing payment divided by the front-end DTI limit (commonly 28%). The back-end income is the payment plus other monthly debts divided by the back-end limit (commonly 36%). Required income is the larger of the two, because both ratios must be satisfied.
How to use
- Enter the total monthly housing payment you are targeting.
- Enter your other monthly debt payments.
- Adjust the front-end and back-end DTI limits if needed, then read the required income.
Examples
- $2,000 payment, $500 debts:
needs $85,714/yr - $1,500 payment, no other debt:
needs $64,286/yr
FAQ
- What are the 28/36 rules?
- The front-end rule says housing costs should stay within about 28% of gross income. The back-end rule says total debt payments should stay within about 36%. Lenders vary, so the limits are adjustable here.
- Why use the higher of the two incomes?
- You must pass both the front-end and back-end tests. The income that satisfies the stricter test also satisfies the other, so the required income is the larger figure.
- Should the payment include taxes and insurance?
- Yes. Lenders measure the full housing payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and any HOA), so enter the complete monthly figure for an accurate result.