What is the average down payment on a $500,000 house?
Conforming Loan Down Payment – $500k House
Introduction to down payments
So, if your mortgage requires that you put down, say, 3%, the down payment needed for a $500K house would be $500,000 x 3% = $15,000. And a 20% down payment would require $100,000 ($500,000 x 20% = $100,000). You may be able to do those calculations in your head or using a calculator.
To afford a $500,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $125,000 to $160,000, which translates to a gross monthly income of approximately $10,417 to $13,333, depending on your financial situation, down payment, credit score, and current market conditions.
If you want to avoid mortgage insurance by putting 20% down, your down payment should be $100,000. If you plan to put 8% down (the median for first-time homebuyers) it would be $40,000. If you're a first-time homebuyer with an FHA loan and a 3% down requirement, you would need $15,000.
So, what does a $500,000 mortgage payment look like if you're trying to budget for your first or next home? The mortgage on a $500,000 house is $2,952 per month toward your mortgage principal and mortgage interest, assuming a 6.86% interest rate and a 30-year fixed term with 10% down.
To qualify for most types of mortgages, you'll need a credit score of at least 620. Some loan types, such as FHA loans, accept lower scores, but a higher score will almost always get you a lower interest rate. And that could save you a significant amount over your loan term.
According to the 28/36 rule, you should spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing and no more than 36% on all debts. Housing costs can include: Your monthly mortgage payment. Homeowners Insurance. Private mortgage insurance.
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.
You'll need a down payment of $12,000, or 3 percent, if you're buying a $400K house with a conventional loan. Meanwhile, an FHA loan requires a slightly higher down payment of $14,000, equivalent to 3.5 percent of the purchase price.
A person who makes $50,000 a year might be able to afford a house worth anywhere from $180,000 to nearly $258,000. That's because your annual salary isn't the only variable that determines your home buying budget. You also have to consider your credit score, current debts, mortgage rates, and many other factors.
When people take out a mortgage, they must pay back the money.?
The amount you borrow with your mortgage is called the principal or the mortgage balance. Each month, part of your monthly payment goes toward paying off the principal and part pays interest on the loan. Interest is what the lender charges you for lending you money.
Yes, it is possible to purchase an investment property without paying a 20% down payment. By exploring alternative financing options such as seller financing or utilizing lines of credit or home equity through cash-out refinancing or HELOCs, you can reduce or eliminate the need for a large upfront payment.

The salary to afford a 500K house ranges between $101,040 and $180,429, assuming a 30 year mortgage, a 7.48% interest rate, and down payment between zero and $15,000. We'll talk about ways to expand this range, but this is a good baseline for setting expectations and budgeting for buying a $500,000 house.
10 Years | 30 Years | |
---|---|---|
2.50% | $4,713.50 | $1,975.60 |
3.00% | $4,828.04 | $2,108.02 |
3.50% | $4,944.29 | $2,245.22 |
4.00% | $5,062.26 | $2,387.08 |
Current mortgage interest rates in California. As of Sunday, January 12, 2025, current interest rates in California are 7.33% for a 30-year fixed mortgage and 6.61% for a 15-year fixed mortgage.
You'll usually need a credit score of at least 640 for the zero-down USDA loan program. VA loans with no money down usually require a minimum credit score of 580 to 620. Low-down-payment mortgages, including conforming loans and FHA loans, also require FICO scores of 580 to 620.
A perfect FICO credit score is 850, but experts tell CNBC Select you don't need to hit that target to qualify for the best credit cards, loans or interest rates.
Your payment should not be more than 28%. of your total gross monthly income. That means you'll need to make 11,500 dollars a month, or 138 k per year.
The Rule of 28 – Your monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. This is often considered the “Golden Rule,” and many lenders abide by it.
The Bottom Line. On a $70,000 salary using a 50% DTI, you could potentially afford a house worth between $200,000 to $250,000, depending on your specific financial situation.
Is 50% of income too much for a mortgage?
Is 50% of take-home pay too much for a mortgage? Paying 50% of your take-home pay on a mortgage is often seen as too high. In general, keeping your housing costs, including your mortgage, below 28% of your gross income is recommended.
If you want to have a minimalist lifestyle, 36k/year is more then enough. If you want a home, family, car, insurance and some "toys", it's not going to be enough, at least in a majority of places in the U.S. But again, the term "decent" is pretty objective. Can you be content? Depends on your expectations.
I make $25K a year; can I buy a house? Yes, if you make $25K a year, you can likely afford around $580 per month for a monthly mortgage payment. With a 6% fixed rate and a 3% down payment, this could buy you a house worth about $100,000. However, consult a mortgage lender for exact numbers tailored to your situation.
If you make $17 an hour, your yearly salary would be $35,360.
For a $400,000 home, you'll likely need a good to excellent credit score: 740+: Best rates and terms.