How much car can I afford? (2024)

byValerie Hawkins

You’re cruising down the road on the way to work. Slowly sipping your morning coffee and listening to your favorite playlist.

And then you see it.

Your dream car.

That sporty coupe convertible. It’s sitting next to you at the red light. And it’s even in your favorite color.

You’re in the market for a new car. Maybe this is your sign to stop by the dealership over your lunch break and take that beauty for a test drive. But your inner financial-savvy senses kick in. (Don’t you hate when that happens?)

You ask yourself: “Can I afford this car? What car can I afford!?”

When it comes to determining if your dream car is within reach, start with these simple steps today.

Step 1: Lease or buy?

Perhaps you’ve never considered your options when it comes to leasing or buying your next set of wheels. Check out thepros and consfor each option, to see which works best for you.

Step 2: Consult your budget

A good starting point is your budget. Experts say your total car expenses, including monthly payments, insurance, gas and maintenance, should be about 20 percent of your take-home monthly pay.

For non-math wizards, like me – Let’s say your monthly paycheck is $4,000. Then a safe estimate for car expenses is $800 per month.

Step 3: Plug and chug

Take your monthly payment estimate from step 2, and plug it into thishandy dandy calculator. It’ll help you determine how much car you can afford.

Step 4: Test drive your car payments

If you can hold off from buying a car for a few months, it’s a good idea to test out your monthly payments.

For example, if your car payment will be $800 per month, take that amount, and put it into savings instead. If you can make timely payments on your other bills, and still put food on the table, then it’s safe to say that is an appropriate monthly payment for you to handle. Plus, that’s more money you have in the bank to go towards a down payment.

Step 5: Buy a car you can afford

Here comes the fun part. Walk into the dealership and sign those papers. Your next commute to work will be a little more exciting.

How much car can I afford? (2024)

FAQs

How much car can I afford based on income? ›

How much car can I afford based on salary? According to our research, you shouldn't spend more than 10% to 15% of your net monthly income on car payments. Your total vehicle costs, including loan payments and insurance, should total no more than 20%.

How much car can I afford making $100000 a year? ›

How much car can I afford based on salary?
Annual salary (pre-tax)Estimated monthly car payment should not exceed
$25,000$208 per month
$50,000$416 per month
$75,000$625 per month
$100,000$833 per month
2 more rows
Oct 13, 2023

What car can I afford with a 40k salary? ›

on the price of a car. is not to exceed 35% of your gross income. That means if you make $40,000 a year, the cars price should not exceed $14,000. If you make $80,000, the cars price should be below $28,000. And at 150 k salary, that means your max car price should be 50 2500.

What car can I afford with a 50k salary? ›

If you make a $50,000 gross salary, after taxes (depending on where you live) your monthly take-home pay is roughly $3,230. Based on the 10% rule, you could afford, at most, a $323 monthly car payment. If you take out a 60 month (5 year) auto loan at 8% interest, you can afford a $17,000 car.

What is considered a high car payment? ›

According to experts, a car payment is too high if the car payment is more than 30% of your total income. Remember, the car payment isn't your only car expense! Make sure to consider fuel and maintenance expenses. Make sure your car payment does not exceed 15%-20% of your total income.

How much car on 60k salary? ›

How much should I spend on a car if I make $60,000? If your gross salary is $60,000, your take-home monthly pay is probably around $3,750, assuming about 25% of your pay goes toward taxes and other expenses. Based on the 10-15% calculation, you should spend no more than $562.50 on a monthly car payment.

What car can I afford with a 200k salary? ›

Get a nice Honda Accord or a Toyota Camry. Honda and Toyota make great cars. If you want something a little nicer buy an Acura TLX or a Lexus ES. If you prefer an SUV, get a Honda/Acura SUV., or an equivalent Toyota/Lexus.

How do I tell if I can afford a car? ›

It depends on how much income you have after your bills and expenses. But as a rule of thumb, your car payment should not exceed 15% of your post-tax monthly pay. For example, if after taxes, you make the U.S. median income of $37,773, you could shop for a car that costs up to $472 per month.

How much is the monthly payment for a 100k car? ›

This is what you'd spend on a $100,000 car
Loan term5.00% interest rate6.5% interest rate
6 yearsPer month: $1,449.44 Total interest: $14,359.96Per month: $1,512.89 Total interest: $18,928.34
7 yearsPer month: $1,272.05 Total interest: $16,852.35Per month: $1,336.45 Total interest: $22,261.74
2 more rows
Oct 27, 2023

What is the 20 3 8 rule? ›

The 20/3/8 car buying rule says you should put 20% down, pay off your car loan in three years (36 months), and spend no more than 8% of your pretax income on car payments. As we go into depth to determine how realistic this rule is, you may consider whether it can actually help you budget for your next car.

How much would a 30000 car cost per month? ›

If you have been qualified for a $30,000 car loan, the monthly payment depends on the amount of the down payment, interest rate, and loan length. For example, with a down payment of $2,500, an interest rate of 5%, and a loan length of three years, you will have to pay $824.20/month.

Is 40k a good salary for a single person? ›

A $40,000 salary may be sufficient for an individual in a low-cost area, but it may not be enough for a family to live comfortably in most parts of the US. Rising inflation has made it more challenging to live on a $40,000 salary, but it still exceeds the poverty threshold for families.

How much car can I afford on 30k a year? ›

To determine how much car you can afford, financial experts recommend keeping your total monthly car payment at 10% or less of your gross monthly income, spending no more than 15% to 20% of your take-home pay on car expenses, and ensuring that total vehicle costs, including loan payments and insurance, don't exceed 20% ...

What is the fastest car you can buy under 50k? ›

The fastest cars under $50k
Fastest Cars Under $50,000
RankSports CarMSRP
1Ford Mustang GT With Performance Package$47,570
2Chevrolet Camaro SS$39,900
3BMW M2$48,900
12 more rows
May 21, 2023

What credit score is needed for a 50k car loan? ›

To buy a $50,000 car and get favorable auto loan options, it's best to have a credit score in the prime or super prime categories. Prime borrowers are those with a credit score within the 661-780 range, while super-prime borrowers fall within the 781-850 range.

How much car can I afford making $70000 a year? ›

How much car can I afford with a 70k salary? Based on the 20/4/20 rule, with an average interest rate, you can afford a $19,000-20,000 car on your $70k salary.

Can I spend 50% of my income on a car? ›

If you need a soft guideline, Roosenberg advises spending no more than 20% of your post-tax monthly income on your car payment. But, keep in mind that number can vary depending upon your state's cost of living and your outstanding debt, according to Roosenberg.

How much should I spend on a car if I make $200,000? ›

It's simple: Spend no more than 10% of your gross annual income on the purchase price of a car. Why? Because the upfront cost of a vehicle isn't going to be the only thing you pay for, and cutting down your base price budget is the most effective way to save money.

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