How much car can I afford for $500 a month?

A $500 monthly car payment buys a car of about $26,403 with $3,000 down and a 60-month loan at 7% APR. Try your own price below.

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$
More options: trade-in, sales tax, fees, extra payments
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Your state’s rate is in the car sales tax calculator.
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$
Monthly car payment
$511.96
Amount financed$25,855.00
Sales tax$1,855.00
Total interest$4,862.60
Total cost of the car$33,717.60
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Car price for a $500 a month payment, by loan term

Prices include 7% sales tax and assume 7% APR.

Down payment36 mo48 mo60 mo72 mo84 mo
$0$15,134$19,514$23,599$27,409$30,961
$3,000$17,938$22,318$26,403$30,212$33,765
$5,000$19,807$24,187$28,272$32,082$35,634
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How your interest rate changes what $500 a month buys

APR48 months60 months72 months
5%$23,095$27,566$31,819
7%$22,318$26,403$30,212
10%$21,228$24,797$28,027
14%$19,904$22,886$25,481

A $500 payment fits comfortably on an income of about $68,000 a year. See how much car you can afford on $70,000 or use the full car affordability calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much car can I afford for $500 a month?

About $26,403 with $3,000 down and a 60-month loan at 7% APR, after 7% sales tax. A 72-month loan stretches that to $30,212, but you pay more interest.

What loan amount does a $500 car payment cover?

$25,251 over 60 months at 7% APR, or $20,880 over 48 months.

What income do I need for a $500 car payment?

Keeping the payment plus about $350 a month for insurance, gas and upkeep within 15% of gross income needs roughly $68,000 a year.

Other monthly payments

Estimates only. Your lender’s rate and fees decide the final figures.

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