Car Affordability Calculator

Calculate what you can afford

Monthly Income ($)

Monthly Expenses ($)

Insurance Estimate ($)

Fuel & Maintenance ($)

Down Payment ($)

APR (%)

Loan Term (Years)

Embed This Calculator on Your Website

                        <!-- CarCalcPro: Embed -->
<div
  data-carcalcpro-embed
  data-calculator="car-affordability"
  data-theme="light"
  data-width="100%"
  data-height="640"
></div>

<p class="carcalcpro-credit" style="font:12px/1.4 system-ui,sans-serif;margin:6px 0 0;display:inline-block">
  Powered by
  <a href="https://www.carcalcpro.com/?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=widgets"
     target="_blank" rel="noopener">CarCalcPro</a>
</p>

<script async src="https://carcalcpro.com/js/embed-widget.js"></scr` + `ipt>

<noscript>
  <a href="https://www.carcalcpro.com/car-affordability-calculator.html">Use the CarCalcPro Car Affordability Calculator</a>
</noscript>
                    

View Embed Terms

Car Affordability Calculator

Determine how much car you can afford based on income, expenses, and goals.

How much car can I afford with my monthly budget?

Use 10–15% of take‑home pay for all car costs (payment, insurance, fuel, maintenance). Enter your income, expenses, and recurring car costs to see a suggested payment and price range.

What's Included in Vehicle Costs:

Monthly Payment: Loan or lease payment
Insurance: Typically $100-300+ per month
Fuel: Varies by driving habits and vehicle efficiency
Maintenance: Oil changes, repairs, tires, etc.
Registration/Taxes: Annual fees and taxes

What affordability rules should I use?

20/4/10 Rule

20% down payment minimum
4 years maximum loan term
10% of gross income for total vehicle expenses

Alternative Approach

15-20% of take-home pay
Include all vehicle costs
Consider future income changes
Leave room for emergencies

What personal factors should I consider?

Your Financial Situation:

Job Stability: Steady income vs. variable income
Emergency Fund: 3-6 months of expenses saved
Other Debt: Credit cards, student loans, mortgage
Future Goals: Saving for house, retirement, etc.
Family Changes: Marriage, children, job changes

Vehicle Considerations:

New vs. Used: New cars depreciate faster but have warranties
Reliability: Some brands have lower maintenance costs
Fuel Economy: Can significantly impact monthly costs
Insurance Costs: Varies by vehicle type, age, and your profile
Resale Value: Some vehicles hold value better than others

How do I keep my car budget on track?

Buy Used: Let someone else take the depreciation hit
Consider Certified Pre-Owned: Balance of warranty and savings
Shop Around for Financing: Don't just accept dealer financing
Negotiate Total Price: Focus on out-the-door price, not monthly payment
Consider All Costs: Insurance, maintenance, and fuel add up
Don't Rush: Take time to research and compare options

Car Affordability Calculator

Embed This Calculator on Your Website

Car Affordability Calculator

How much car can I afford with my monthly budget?

What's Included in Vehicle Costs:

What affordability rules should I use?

20/4/10 Rule

Alternative Approach

What personal factors should I consider?

Your Financial Situation:

Vehicle Considerations:

How do I keep my car budget on track?

Related Tools

Use Cases