How much do I need to make to afford a million dollar home?

Asked by: Prof. Clinton Hettinger IV  |  Last update: January 1, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (70 votes)

You'll likely need an annual salary of at least $250,000 to finance a $1 million dollar home with a 30-year mortgage, assuming a 20% down payment and low escrow costs. The income required to purchase a million-dollar home varies based on your location, loan amount, mortgage rate and other affordability considerations.

What salary do you need to afford a $1 million dollar home?

To comfortably afford a home valued at $1 million, financial experts recommend an annual salary between $269,000 and $366,000. This range, however, is subject to variation depending on your: Annual income. Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)

What income do you need for an $800000 mortgage?

To afford an $800,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $200,000 to $260,000, depending on your financial situation, down payment, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a general range, and your specific circumstances will determine the exact income required.

How much do I need to buy a 1 million dollar house?

If you're in the market for a $1 million home, you're likely wondering how much you need to save for the down payment. Financial advisors often recommend a 20% down payment. Therefore, to purchase a home worth a million dollars, you'd generally need a hefty $200,000 for the down payment.

How much is a $1 million dollar mortgage monthly payment?

Here's what a monthly mortgage payment would look like on a $1 million home assuming the same caveats as above: 15-year mortgage at 5.53%: $6,549.41 per month. 30-year mortgage at 6.16%: $4,879.01 per month.

How much income does it take to afford a one million dollar home?

37 related questions found

How hard is it to get a million dollar mortgage?

It is harder to get a million-dollar mortgage than a mortgage of a lower amount because you likely need to qualify for a jumbo loan, which requires a higher credit score, a larger down payment, and a large amount of cash reserves.

How much should you make to afford a 1.5 million dollar home?

However, you will need to budget well and have a lot of money saved up for the down payment. A large enough down payment can significantly reduce the ongoing costs and make a $300,000 salary enough for a 1.5 million-dollar home.

Will housing prices ever go down?

Most experts don't believe home prices will drop — though the pace of increases could start to slow in 2025. We'll probably see prices increase modestly throughout the next couple of years. Should I buy a house now or wait for a recession?

What mortgage can I afford with $70,000 salary?

With a $70,000 annual salary and using a 50% DTI, your home buying budget could potentially afford a house priced between $180,000 to $280,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions.

Can I afford a million dollar home with a 200K salary?

Can I afford a million dollar home with a $200K salary? A $200,000 annual salary breaks down to about $16,667 monthly. The 28/36 rule states that your monthly housing costs should not exceed 28 percent of your monthly income, and 28 percent of $16,667 is $4,667.

How much house can I afford if I make $36,000 a year?

On a salary of $36,000 per year, you can afford a house priced around $100,000-$110,000 with a monthly payment of just over $1,000. This assumes you have no other debts you're paying off, but also that you haven't been able to save much for a down payment.

What is the 28 36 rule?

The 28/36 rule

It suggests limiting your mortgage costs to 28% of your gross monthly income and keeping your total debt payments, including your mortgage, car loans, student loans, credit card debt and any other debts, below 36%.

What is a good down payment for an $800000 house?

It's often recommended to make a 20 percent down payment, but for an $800,000 home, that translates to a substantial $160,000.

How to afford a 900k house?

An income of around $260,000 a year could allow you to afford a $900,000 mortgage, assuming you don't have other significant debt, such as student loans. But a variety of factors determine how much house you can afford, including how much you have saved for a down payment and your credit history, to name two.

How to make 500k a year?

13 jobs that can pay over $500k a year
  1. Actor.
  2. Author.
  3. Accountant.
  4. Insurance agent.
  5. Investment banker.
  6. Professional athlete.
  7. Entrepreneur.
  8. Hedge fund manager.

Can I afford a million dollar home if I make 100k?

And, here is the answer to the question: You need anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000 in income to buy a $1 million dollar home right now. The reason there is so much variance is because there are so many factors that impact qualification, including: Size of down payment. Property tax rates.

Is 70K a decent salary?

When it comes to defining a “good” salary, there's no one magic number. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the average salary in the U.S. is $65,470, as of May 2023. Based on this data point, $70K a year is a good salary for a single person — one that puts you above the national average.

Can I afford a 400k house making 70K a year?

If you're an aspiring homeowner, you may be asking yourself, “How much house can I afford a with $70K salary?” If you make $70K a year, you can likely afford a home between $290,000 and $360,000*. That's a monthly house payment between $2,000 and $2,500 a month, depending on your personal finances.

How much house can I afford if I make $85000 a year?

With an $85,000 annual salary, you could potentially afford a house priced between $255,000 to $340,000, depending on your financial situation, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a broad range, and your specific circumstances will determine where you fall within it.

Why can't Gen Z afford a house?

This is partly because of the Federal Reserve's policy of keeping interest rates high the last few years has also driven mortgage rates up, making it impossible for many potential buyers to afford the monthly mortgage payments. Other costs have shot up as well.

Will my house be worth more in 5 years?

While it's not a strict rule or guarantee, properties typically appreciate in value over five years. This also allows homeowners to build equity and recoup the one-time transaction costs. "Generally, the longer you stay put, the smoother and more predictable the price appreciation trend will become," says Jones.

Will homes ever be affordable again?

US housing affordability is at record lows, per Goldman Sachs. But the bank expects the cost of homeownership to return to "normal levels" by 2030. Slower growth in home prices, falling mortgage rates, and steady income growth could aid homebuyers.

How to make 250k a year?

250k salary jobs in california
  1. Managing Attorney, Litigation Law Firm. Often responds within 3 days. ...
  2. Neuroscientist. Nudge. ...
  3. Vertical Sales Rep - Utilities and Rapid Transit. JobStack, Inc. ...
  4. Vice President, Workplace Services & Real Estate. ...
  5. ML Infrastructure Engineer. ...
  6. Strengthen your profile. ...
  7. Data Scientist. ...
  8. HR Director.

Can you live off 1.5 million dollars?

The 4% rule suggests that a $1.5 million portfolio will provide for at least 30 years approximately $60,000 a year before taxes for you to live on in retirement. If you take more than this from your nest egg, it may run short; if you take less or your investments earn more, it may provide somewhat more income.

Is 130k a good salary?

A $130,000 annual salary is well above the average pay in the U.S., but wages can vary significantly by state. Here's a state-by-state summary of the median household income, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Census Bureau.