Using a 28% housing-cost-to-income guideline and 20% down, you'd want roughly $107,400 in annual household income to buy a $400,000 home comfortably. This is a planning estimate, not a pre-qualification.
| Down payment | Full payment | Suggested income |
|---|---|---|
| 5% down | $3,044 | $130,457 |
| 10% down | $2,909 | $124,671 |
| 20% down | $2,506 | $107,400 |
Lower down payments raise both the payment (more loan + PMI) and the income needed.
The 28% figure is a front-end guideline for housing costs alone. Lenders also look at your total debt-to-income (including car loans, student loans and credit cards), credit score, and reserves. Two people buying the same home can qualify for very different terms.
The full mortgage calculator already handles down payment, PMI, property tax, insurance, HOA, total interest, and an affordability comfort rating — and every scenario is shareable by link.
Possibly — a larger down payment, a lower rate, longer term, or minimal other debts all reduce the income you'd need. Use the calculator with your real numbers to check.