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How much house can I afford? Nova Scotia calculator

How much house you can afford on your income, using the stress test and the debt ratios lenders use.

Home affordability calculator

The highest price a lender is likely to approve, using the same stress test and debt ratios they use.

Your finances
$

Everyone on the mortgage

$

Car and student loans, minimum credit card and line of credit payments

$

Keep closing costs (about 2% to 3% of the price) separate

The mortgage
%

Your quoted rate

30 years with under 20% down: first-time buyers and new builds only

Costs of the home
$

Example. Varies by municipality and home

$

Example. Lenders ask for an estimate

$

You could qualify for about

$431,942

Your income and debts are what limit the price.

At that price

Down payment
$30,000
CMHC insurance premiumAdded to the mortgage
$16,078
Mortgage
$418,020
Monthly paymentAt your 4.5% rate
$2,313.63
Payment + property tax + heating
$2,764

How lenders test it

Stress test rateHigher of your rate + 2 points, or 5.25%
6.50%
Gross debt service (GDS)Housing costs ÷ income. Limit 39%
39%
Total debt service (TDS)Housing + other debts ÷ income. Limit 44%
43.8%

Qualifying is not the same as comfortable. Lenders don't count childcare, savings, electricity or upkeep, so check the payment against your own budget too.

Estimate only, not a pre-approval or financial advice. Lenders also look at your credit, job history and the property, and some use stricter limits than CMHC's. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere: it clears when you leave the page.

How this calculator works

  • Lenders test you at the higher of your rate plus 2 percentage points or 5.25% (the stress test), even though you'd pay your actual rate.
  • Housing costs (mortgage payment, property tax, heating and half of any condo fees) can be up to 39% of gross income (GDS).
  • Housing costs plus your other debt payments can be up to 44% of gross income (TDS). Whichever limit is tighter sets your maximum payment.
  • The calculator then finds the highest price where that payment covers the mortgage, including the CMHC premium, and your savings meet the minimum down payment.

Sources

Rules and rates last checked October 4, 2026.

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