Finance

PITI + DTI: The Affordability Math That Keeps You From Becoming House-Poor

A comprehensive affordability guide: PITI, HOA, maintenance, DTI, and the +1% stress test—how I combine them to make a decision that still works later.

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House Affordability Calculator

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Related formulas & definitions

Deep dive into the terms and formulas used in these calculations:

PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance)

PITI explained: what's included, what's not (HOA/maintenance), and why PITI matters for true housing cost.

DTI (Debt-to-Income Ratio)

DTI explained: housing vs total DTI, why lenders use it, and how to use it safely for affordability planning.

View all finance formulas →

Ahmet C. Toplutaş

12/14/2025

18 min read

Most affordability mistakes come from using the wrong number. People compare rent to mortgage P&I, ignore taxes/insurance, and then wonder why the budget breaks. The framework I trust is simple: (1) model all‑in monthly housing cost (PITI + HOA + maintenance), (2) check DTI, and (3) stress test the interest rate by +1%. This guide is how I do it.

1) PITI is the baseline (not the full story)

PITI = principal + interest + taxes + insurance. It’s the minimum viable model for housing cost. HOA, maintenance, and utilities often push the real monthly cost materially higher.

2) DTI keeps you safe (use it as a constraint, not a target)

DTI (debt-to-income) is a resilience check. You should track housing-only and total DTI. If either is tight, you’re relying on perfect conditions to stay comfortable.

3) The +1% stress test (my default)

If the payment only works at today’s rate, it’s too fragile. I re-run the scenario at +1%. If that version feels stressful, I lower the target price or increase buffer.

4) Two examples (same income, different outcomes)

Taxes, HOA, and rate differences can flip affordability quickly. Two people with similar income can have very different safe price ranges depending on the all‑in monthly obligation.

5) Tool stack (how to do this fast)

Use the affordability calculator to get a top-down range, then validate details with mortgage and amortization math. Use rent vs buy when horizon is uncertain.

Tools to use

House Affordability Calculator: top-down constraint
Mortgage Calculator: detailed payment baseline
Amortization Calculator: horizon and interest picture
Rent vs Buy Calculator: horizon + opportunity cost

❓Affordability FAQ

Should I use gross or net income for DTI?

Lenders often use gross, but for personal planning, net income can be more realistic. The key is being consistent and conservative.

Why include maintenance as a monthly cost?

Because it is one—just irregular. Treating it as a monthly reserve prevents ‘surprise’ expenses from breaking the budget.

What if I expect income to rise?

Treat future income as upside, not a requirement. Buy what works today with buffers.

💡Pro tips

Always model all‑in cost (PITI + HOA + maintenance).
Use DTI to prevent fragile decisions.
Run a +1% stress test by default.

Key Takeaways

Affordability is not a single number—it’s a set of assumptions. If you model PITI correctly, respect DTI, and pass a +1% stress test, you dramatically reduce the chance of becoming house-poor.

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