What percentage of your income do you spend on housing?

mortgagebudgetinghomebuyingpersonal finance

Kamil_S

Joined:
02.10.2021
Posts: 2145

Topic Starter

13.01.2025 05:54

I'm currently looking at buying my first home and I'm honestly feeling a bit overwhelmed by the numbers. Everyone seems to have a different opinion on what is considered 'affordable' versus what is just house-poor territory. I'm trying to figure out a safe budget that still leaves me room for savings and a bit of a social life. What percentage of your take-home pay goes toward your mortgage, and do you feel comfortable with that amount?

16 replies in this topic

Zuzi_P

Joined:
16.05.2024
Posts: 2222

13.02.2025 07:41

We're currently at about 25% of our take-home pay for the mortgage. It feels comfortable, but honestly, with property taxes and insurance creeping up, it's starting to feel more like 30%.

Niko_N

Joined:
08.02.2024
Posts: 1368

01.03.2025 11:10

I aim for 30% of my net income. Anything higher than that and I start feeling like I can't breathe or save for retirement.

SivaMishka

Joined:
12.10.2024
Posts: 764

28.03.2025 04:26

In reply to a previous post

That's a smart approach. Do you include maintenance costs in that 30% or just the mortgage payment?

Aleks_K

Joined:
25.11.2022
Posts: 404

14.04.2025 18:18

In reply to a previous post

I'm sitting at 40% and it's definitely house-poor territory. Don't do it if you can avoid it. I have zero social life right now.

Selekcioner

Joined:
18.11.2021
Posts: 736

28.04.2025 01:46

People always say 30% is the magic number, but that really depends on your location and interest rates right now. If you live in a VHCOL area, 30% is almost impossible.

Kras_T

Joined:
08.02.2021
Posts: 2022

26.08.2025 17:36

In reply to a previous post

Exactly. I'm in the Bay Area and we are pushing 45%. It's tight, but we view it as forced savings since we're building equity.

Zhivko_D

Joined:
05.03.2025
Posts: 292

27.08.2025 10:29

We spend about 20% on our mortgage. We bought a bit smaller than we could afford so we could travel and enjoy life. Best decision we ever made.

Yulia_M

Joined:
03.06.2022
Posts: 1648

16.09.2025 08:46

In reply to a previous post

That sounds like a dream. I'm currently at 35% and I'm constantly worried about unexpected repairs.

Alan_K

Joined:
29.07.2020
Posts: 200

29.09.2025 22:06

In reply to a previous post

Don't forget to account for the 'hidden' costs-HOA fees, lawn care, and the inevitable broken water heater. Those add up fast.

Stasi_B

Joined:
03.11.2022
Posts: 714

31.10.2025 09:03

We are at 18%. It's low because we bought ten years ago, but if we had to buy today, it would be double that. It's a rough market out there, hang in there.

kris_1982

Joined:
09.03.2022
Posts: 1691

16.12.2025 20:09

I try to keep my total housing costs under 25% of my gross income. It leaves me plenty of room for my investments.

Krasen_K

Joined:
04.05.2022
Posts: 51

29.12.2025 08:27

I'm at 33% and it feels just right. I have enough for savings, but I definitely have to budget my dining out carefully.

Oskar_Z

Joined:
21.11.2024
Posts: 2147

26.02.2026 08:37

In reply to a previous post

If you're feeling overwhelmed, just remember you don't have to buy your 'forever home' on the first try. Start smaller and build equity.

Leni_C

Joined:
21.02.2022
Posts: 1331

11.03.2026 19:47

In reply to a previous post

I was at 45% for two years and it was miserable. I moved to a cheaper apartment and now I'm at 25% and I've never been happier.

Iva_R

Joined:
20.10.2025
Posts: 2411

23.03.2026 15:07

It really depends on your debt-to-income ratio. If you have no car payments or student loans, you can afford to push the housing percentage higher.

Igor_Tech

Joined:
15.05.2021
Posts: 408

03.04.2026 11:08

In reply to a previous post

Great point. I'm at 35% but because I have zero other debt, it feels totally manageable.

What percentage of your income do you spend on housing?

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