What does the monthly result mean?

It compares the take-home income and monthly expenses entered. A positive number is an estimated amount remaining, and a negative number is an estimated shortfall. It is not an approval or eligibility decision.

What is the housing percentage?

It is the housing costs entered divided by gross monthly income. Servicers and mortgage programs may calculate or use housing expenses differently.

What is the total debt percentage?

It compares housing costs plus recurring debt payments with gross monthly income. Groceries, utilities, healthcare, and other normal living expenses are not included in that percentage.

What is an adjusted budget?

It is a separate scenario where you can change amounts you think could realistically be different. The calculator does not recommend which expenses to change.

How is the catch-up estimate calculated?

It divides the past-due amount entered by the monthly catch-up amount you choose. It does not include added fees, interest, payment changes, or a servicer's calculation.

Is this calculator HUD-approved housing counseling?

No. It is an educational estimate from Short-Sale.com. A HUD-approved housing counselor can provide individualized housing counseling and an action plan.

Mortgage affordability calculator

Can I Afford My Mortgage?

See how your mortgage fits into your monthly budget and what may change if your income or expenses change.

This is an educational estimate based on the numbers you enter. Mortgage servicers and assistance programs may evaluate affordability differently.

No address, email, phone number, or account number is required.

Your monthly budget numbers

Use monthly amounts. Blank fields remain unknown; enter $0 only when an amount does not apply.

Gross monthly income

Income before taxes and deductions.

Take-home monthly income

Income deposited after taxes and deductions.

Monthly mortgage payment

Does that mortgage payment include property taxes and homeowners insurance?

YesNoNot sure

Monthly HOA or condo fees

Enter $0 if none.

Other monthly housing costs

HELOC, 2nd mortgage, etc., or $0 if none.

Recurring monthly debt payments

Minimum payments for debts such as vehicles, credit cards, and student loans.

Essential monthly expenses

Living costs such as utilities, food, transportation, healthcare, and childcare.

Optional catch-up contextAre you currently behind on your mortgage?

Optional: add flexible monthly spending

Dining, entertainment, subscriptions, personal spending, and other amounts you can adjust. This updates the result above.

Your estimated result

Monthly result needs more information

Not calculated

Add take-home income, recurring debt payments, and essential household expenses to estimate the monthly result.

Housing percentage: Not calculated
Housing plus recurring debt: Not calculated

Could your monthly budget change?

Clone the current entries, then edit only changes you believe may be realistic. This calculator does not recommend changes.

Monthly cash-flow ledger

Income is added; housing, debt, and spending are subtracted.

Add take-home income, recurring debts, and essential expenses to see the monthly ledger.

Your mortgage payment may not include taxes and insurance
Adding those costs could change your estimated housing expense.
Take-home income is not entered
Add take-home income to estimate how much may remain each month.
Recurring debt payments are not entered
A blank debt amount is unknown, not zero, so cash flow and total-debt percentage are not calculated.

Explore next steps

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How the estimate works

Take-home income minus monthly housing costs, recurring debts, essential household expenses, and flexible spending equals the estimated monthly result.

Housing percentage is the housing costs entered divided by gross monthly income.

Total debt percentage is housing costs plus recurring monthly debts, divided by gross monthly income. Normal household living expenses are not included in this percentage.

An adjusted budget lets you test only the income or spending changes you believe could realistically be different. The tool does not choose changes for you.

The catch-up illustration divides the past-due amount entered by the monthly amount the homeowner chooses to devote toward catching up.

Important limitations

Inputs are self-reported and are not verified.
This is not a servicer decision or loan-modification underwriting.
Actual arrears, fees, interest, taxes, insurance, and expenses may differ.
Mortgage programs and servicers use their own requirements.
This calculator is not HUD counseling and does not provide legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

What does the monthly result mean?: It compares the take-home income and monthly expenses entered. A positive number is an estimated amount remaining, and a negative number is an estimated shortfall. It is not an approval or eligibility decision.
What is the housing percentage?: It is the housing costs entered divided by gross monthly income. Servicers and mortgage programs may calculate or use housing expenses differently.
What is the total debt percentage?: It compares housing costs plus recurring debt payments with gross monthly income. Groceries, utilities, healthcare, and other normal living expenses are not included in that percentage.
What is an adjusted budget?: It is a separate scenario where you can change amounts you think could realistically be different. The calculator does not recommend which expenses to change.
How is the catch-up estimate calculated?: It divides the past-due amount entered by the monthly catch-up amount you choose. It does not include added fees, interest, payment changes, or a servicer's calculation.
Is this calculator HUD-approved housing counseling?: No. It is an educational estimate from Short-Sale.com. A HUD-approved housing counselor can provide individualized housing counseling and an action plan.

For individualized counseling, use the HUD-approved housing counselor finder.

Questions about mortgage affordability?

Ask about your budget estimate or what information may change it. You will continue in Help for general information.