Stress test · GDS/TDS · CMHC
How Much House Can I Afford?
Your maximum home price under Canada’s mortgage rules. Results update as you type.
You can afford a home up to
$451,600
Mortgage of $414,050 (incl. $12,450 CMHC insurance) · $2,292/month at 4.50%
Stress-test rate
6.50%
GDS (max 39%)
39.0%
TDS (max 44%)
39.0%
Minimum down payment
$22,580
Your income sets the limit (GDS 39%): housing costs at the stress-test rate can’t exceed 39% of gross income.
How Much House You Can Afford by Income (2026)
4.5% rate, 25-year amortization, property tax 1% a year, no other debts. Payment includes any CMHC premium.
| Household income | Max price, $50K down | Payment | Max price, $100K down | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $246,900 | $1,090 | $291,400 | $1,059 |
| $60,000 | $284,200 | $1,333 | $334,500 | $1,298 |
| $75,000 | $346,600 | $1,692 | $399,200 | $1,656 |
| $80,000 | $367,600 | $1,812 | $420,800 | $1,776 |
| $90,000 | $409,600 | $2,052 | $464,000 | $2,015 |
| $100,000 | $451,600 | $2,292 | $500,000 | $2,214 |
| $120,000 | $531,800 | $2,773 | $581,400 | $2,739 |
| $150,000 | $656,800 | $3,493 | $706,200 | $3,459 |
| $175,000 | $750,000 | $4,029 | $811,200 | $4,058 |
| $200,000 | $750,000 | $4,029 | $916,100 | $4,657 |
| $250,000 | $750,000 | $4,029 | $1,118,200 | $5,861 |
How Lenders Decide What You Can Afford
Every mortgage from a federally regulated lender must pass the stress test: you qualify at the higher of your rate plus 2% or 5.25%. At a 4.5% rate you're tested at 6.50%, so you can afford less than the payment at your real rate suggests. Your actual payment is lower than the one you're tested on.
Two ratios set the limit. GDS (gross debt service) is your mortgage payment at the stress-test rate, property tax, heating and half of any condo fees, divided by gross income: it can't exceed 39%. TDS (total debt service) adds car loans, credit cards and other debts: it can't exceed 44%. These are CMHC's limits for insured mortgages; many lenders use similar ones for conventional mortgages.
With less than 20% down you need mortgage default insurance and a minimum down payment of 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the rest. Homes of $1.5 million or more need 20% down. The insurance premium is added to your mortgage. See the CMHC insurance calculator.
Lenders use your gross (pre-tax) income, including a co-borrower's. Self-employed applicants usually need two years of tax returns, and lenders average the net income on them.
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Frequently asked questions
How much house can I afford on $100,000 a year in Canada?
About $451,600 with $50,000 down, no other debts and a 4.5% rate. Debts, a higher rate or condo fees lower that; a bigger down payment raises it.
How much house can I afford on $150,000 a year?
About $706,200 with $100,000 down and no other debts, at a 4.5% rate.
What is the mortgage stress test?
A rule that you must qualify at the higher of your contract rate plus 2% or 5.25%, to prove you could handle higher rates.
What are GDS and TDS ratios?
GDS is housing costs (mortgage, property tax, heating, half of condo fees) as a share of gross income, max 39%. TDS adds all other debt payments, max 44%.
Does a 30-year amortization help me afford more?
Yes, by lowering the payment you're tested on. Insured 30-year mortgages are open to first-time buyers and buyers of new builds, and the insurance premium is 0.20% higher.
Next steps for buyers
Rules as of October 2026. Sources: OSFI Guideline B-20; CMHC. Estimates for planning, not tax advice.
Plan the next step for your home
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