How much car can I afford on a $80,000 salary? Free calculator

On a $80,000 salary you can afford a car of about $33,483, with a loan payment of up to $650 a month. Change any number below to fit your situation.

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Rent or mortgage, student loans, credit cards. Not the new car.
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More options: trade-in, budget share, running costs, tax
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Common guideline: 10% to 15% for the loan, insurance, gas and upkeep together.
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Find your state's rate with the car sales tax calculator.
Car price you can afford
$33,483
Total monthly car budget$1,000
Maximum loan payment$650
Maximum loan amount$32,826

The loan payment is also capped so all your debts stay under 36% of gross income.

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Car price you can afford on a $80,000 salary

Gross monthly income: $6,667. Assumes 7% APR, $350 a month for insurance, gas and upkeep, 7% sales tax and no other debts.

Car budgetDown payment48-month loan60-month loan72-month loan
10% of income ($667/mo)$0$12,359$14,946$17,359
10% of income ($667/mo)$3,000$15,163$17,750$20,163
10% of income ($667/mo)$5,000$17,032$19,619$22,032
15% of income ($1,000/mo)$0$25,368$30,679$35,631
15% of income ($1,000/mo)$3,000$28,172$33,483$38,435
15% of income ($1,000/mo)$5,000$30,041$35,352$40,304

The 20/4/10 rule

Put 20% down, borrow for no more than 4 years, and keep all car costs under 10% of gross income. On $80,000 that points to a car of about $15,200 (loan payment $317 a month, $3,040 down).

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Monthly payment on common car prices

Payment for a loan of the full price at 7% APR, compared with the $650 a month that fits a $80,000 income.

Loan amount48 months60 months72 months
$20,000$479$396$341
$30,000$718 ✗$594$511
$40,000$958 ✗$792 ✗$682 ✗
$50,000$1,197 ✗$990 ✗$852 ✗

✗ = above the payment that fits a 15% car budget on $80,000.

Frequently asked questions

How much car can I afford on a $80,000 salary?

About $33,483, if you spend 15% of gross income on the car (payment plus $350 a month running costs), put $3,000 down and take a 60-month loan at 7%. The cautious 20/4/10 rule gives a lower figure.

How much car can I afford on a 80k salary?

On 80k ($80,000) a year, a car of about $33,483 keeps all car costs within 15% of income. A stricter 10% budget points to a cheaper car; see the table above.

What car payment can I afford on $80,000 a year?

$80,000 is $6,667 a month before tax. With 15% for all car costs and $350 for insurance, gas and upkeep, that leaves about $650 a month for the loan payment.

Know the payment you want instead? See how much car you can afford for $600 a month, or work out a loan with the car payment calculator.

Other salaries

Guidelines only, not a lending decision. Figures use gross (pre-tax) income.

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