Auto Finance

Figuring out how much of a car payment you can afford is less about the sticker price and more about your monthly cash flow. This calculator combines the classic 10–15% of take-home pay rule with a debt-to-income (DTI) check, then converts your safe monthly payment into a realistic loan amount and out-the-door vehicle budget. For example, someone earning $5,000/month after tax with $400 in existing debts can typically support a $500–$650 car payment — which, at 7% APR over 60 months, finances roughly $25,000 to $32,500 in vehicle plus down payment.