Car Affordability Calculator
Start with a comfortable transportation budget and work backward to a vehicle price.
Your details
Advanced assumptions
These are scenario assumptions, not verified local rules or lender terms. Only change options supported by your documents.
Your results
A planning ceiling, not lender approval. Fees are included in the purchase. Advanced trade, tax-credit, add-on, and reserve assumptions affect the price ceiling.
Calculated:
Scenario comparison
Capture up to three alternatives, then change inputs to explore another. Snapshots stay in this page only and disappear on reload. Open a schedule before printing to include its table.
How the car affordability calculator works
Estimate a vehicle price ceiling using your monthly budget, ownership costs, down payment, tax, and loan terms.
Payment budget = total monthly budget − ownership costs. Loan capacity is the principal supported by that payment. Price = (loan capacity + down payment − fees) ÷ (1 + tax rate).
Example
An $800 monthly transportation budget with $300 reserved for ownership leaves $500 available for a loan payment.
What affects the result
- Insurance, fuel, parking, maintenance, and repairs reduce the amount available for financing.
- Taxes and fees use part of the purchasing budget.
- A longer term may support a higher price but increases the repayment commitment.
Helpful guides
Frequently asked questions
Does this include a trade-in?
No. This model uses a cash down payment and taxes the full vehicle price. Use the car payment calculator to model a specific trade-in and payoff.
Is the result a loan approval?
No. It is a planning estimate based on your chosen budget, not a lender decision or a recommendation to spend the maximum.