A $500k home with a $100,000 down payment leaves a $400,000 loan. To keep the $3,384 total 30-year payment at or under 28% of gross income (the calculator's default housing ratio), household income would need to be roughly $145,022 a year, before other debts. Choosing the 15-year term instead cuts lifetime interest by about $360,690 ($597,027 vs $236,337), at the cost of a $766/month higher payment.
| Term | Rate | Principal & interest | Total monthly payment | Total interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-year | 7.4% | $2,770 | $3,384 | $597,027 |
| 15-year | 6.73% | $3,535 | $4,150 | $236,337 |
Property taxes add $375/month and insurance adds $239/month in this example, on top of principal and interest, for either term.
Open the 30-year example Open the 15-year example
Source references: Tax Foundation: Property Taxes by State and County, 2026 Insurance.com: Average Homeowners Insurance Rates by State (2026)
Rate reference as of 10/8/2026. Educational software; no professional review claimed.