House Affordability Calculator
Find out which neighbourhoods you can afford in any city
We calculate the required income to afford each neighbourhood based on standard mortgage qualification rules (30% of income toward housing).
Our algorithm considers affordability, safety, amenities, and livability to rank the best neighbourhoods for your income.
All calculations are based on real neighbourhood data including median home prices, income levels, and quality-of-life metrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about house affordability
We use a standard mortgage qualification formula: required income = median home price / 3.5. This reflects the "30% rule" where housing costs should not exceed 30% of your income. We then compare your income to the required income to determine if a neighbourhood is Affordable, Stretch, or Unaffordable.
The match score (0-100) combines multiple factors: affordability (50% weight), livability (25%), amenities (15%), and safety (10%). Higher scores indicate better overall matches for your income and lifestyle preferences.
"Stretch" means your income is between 75% and 100% of the required income. You might be able to afford homes in these neighbourhoods, but it would require careful budgeting and may be financially tight. Consider your other expenses before committing.
All data comes from our precomputed neighbourhood analysis database, which includes median home prices, income estimates, safety scores, amenities data, and livability metrics. This data is regularly updated to reflect current market conditions.
Our calculator provides estimates based on median prices and standard mortgage qualification rules. Actual affordability depends on many factors including credit score, down payment, interest rates, debt-to-income ratio, and local market conditions. Always consult with a mortgage professional for precise qualification amounts.
We currently support all cities in our database. If your city isn't listed, it may not have sufficient neighbourhood data yet. Check back regularly as we continuously add new cities and update existing data.