Home loan affordability calculator
See what purchase price band you can realistically shop in, and how the monthly repayment changes at different rate scenarios. No contact details needed to see the number.
How much home can you afford?
This calculator uses the same affordability rule banks use as a starting point: your bond instalment should not exceed 30% of your gross monthly income, and must fit inside what you have left after expenses.
How this estimate works
We take the smaller of two caps: 30% of your gross monthly income, and your income minus your monthly expenses. That gives us a maximum instalment. We then reverse the standard reducing-balance annuity formula to work out the loan size at the current South African prime rate of 10.5% over 20 years.
Your deposit is added to the loan amount to arrive at a maximum purchase price. The repayment band then shows what the same loan would cost at three illustrative rates, because the rate you are offered depends on your credit profile, deposit and how much the banks are competing for your deal.
Assumptions: monthly repayments in arrears; no fees, insurance, transfer duty or bond-registration costs included; the rate is an annual nominal rate compounded monthly; numbers are rounded to the nearest rand for display only. Source: South African Reserve Bank (SARB), last updated 2026-09-12.
This is an estimate and an information tool, not financial advice and not a bank approval. A registered consultant can review your specific situation on request.
Get your Bond Readiness Report
Email me my full affordability breakdown, a realistic rate band, the upfront costs I should budget for, and the documents I'll need.
Related tools
- Already have a price in mind? Work out the monthly repayment with our bond calculator.
- Worried your credit score could affect your options? Read our guide to home loans with bad credit.
- Buying your first home and want to know what government help is available? Read our guide to first-time buyer grants and subsidies.
- Want to understand what you will pay upfront? Estimate your bond and transfer costs.
- Have retirement savings but limited cash for a deposit? Read about pension-backed home loans.
- Ready to see what a bank would actually offer? Start your free bond pre-approval.