Mortgages

A $700,000 mortgage costs about $4,424 a month in principal and interest at 6.5% over 30 years — closer to $5,600 once tax and insurance are included.

A $600,000 mortgage costs about $3,792 a month in principal and interest at 6.5% over 30 years — closer to $4,800 once tax and insurance are included.

A $450,000 mortgage costs about $2,844 a month in principal and interest at 6.5% over 30 years — closer to $3,700 once tax and insurance are included.

A $400,000 mortgage costs about $2,528 a month in principal and interest at 6.5% over 30 years — closer to $3,300 once tax and insurance are included.

A $350,000 mortgage costs about $2,212 a month in principal and interest at 6.5% over 30 years — closer to $2,900 once tax and insurance are included.

On a $100,000 salary you can typically afford a home between $320,000 and $400,000. Here is how lenders calculate it, and what other debt does to the number.

A $500,000 mortgage costs about $3,160 a month in principal and interest at 6.5% over 30 years — closer to $4,000 once tax and insurance are included.

A $250,000 mortgage costs about $1,580 a month in principal and interest at 6.5% over 30 years — closer to $2,100 once tax and insurance are included.

Buying a $400,000 house needs roughly $108,000 to $121,000 a year, depending on your down payment, local property tax, and existing debt.

Paying an extra $200 a month on a $300,000 mortgage saves about $103,000 in interest and clears the loan seven years early. Here is the full breakdown.