RDU Recorder

Tool

How much house can I afford?

Enter your income, monthly debts and down payment. You get two prices: a comfortable one and the most a lender is likely to allow.

Comfortable (36% of income)

About $460,000

Loan
$400,000
Principal and interest
$2,748/mo
Property taxes
$348/mo
Insurance
not entered
House payment
$3,096/mo

The down payment is 13.0% of the price, so a lender will likely add mortgage insurance, which isn't included here.

Stretch (50% of income)

About $644,000

Loan
$584,000
Principal and interest
$4,012/mo
Property taxes
$488/mo
Insurance
not entered
House payment
$4,500/mo

The down payment is 9.3% of the price, so a lender will likely add mortgage insurance, which isn't included here.

Add a home insurance quote for a closer estimate; it lowers the price range.

How it works

Lenders compare your monthly debts, including the new house payment, with your monthly income before taxes. That's the debt-to-income ratio. 36% is the base limit for a manually underwritten conventional loan (45% with strong credit and savings); automated approval can go as high as 50%. Source: Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-6-02, Debt-to-Income Ratios, checked October 13, 2026

The starting rate is 7.32%, the Freddie Mac 30-year average for the week of October 22, 2026 (source). It's an average, not a quote: your rate depends on your credit, loan type and down payment.

Property taxes use the Wake County rate plus the town rate. Some towns also charge stormwater or solid-waste fees, and a few addresses are in special districts whose rate isn't listed here.

TownCombined rate per $100Yearly tax on $400,000
Raleigh0.9091$3,636
Cary0.9046$3,618
Apex0.9106$3,642
Fuquay-Varina0.9151$3,660
Wake Forest0.9571$3,828
Garner1.0721$4,288
Holly Springs0.8806$3,522
Wendell0.9571$3,828
Knightdale0.9771$3,908
Morrisville0.8871$3,548
Rolesville0.9371$3,748
Zebulon1.1141$4,456
Angier1.0271$4,108
Durham (Wake portion)0.9742$3,897
Clayton1.0271$4,108
Durham1.0163$4,065
Chapel Hill (Durham County portion)1.0792$4,317
Morrisville (Durham County portion)0.9292$3,717
Cary (Durham County portion)0.9467$3,787
Raleigh (Durham County portion)0.9512$3,805
Pittsboro1.0400$4,160
Siler City1.1400$4,560
Goldston1.1650$4,660
Cary (Chatham County portion)0.9675$3,870
Apex (Chatham County portion)0.9735$3,894