Mortgage on a $300,000 House
With 20% down and a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.8%, your monthly payment on a $300,000 home would be approximately $1,565/month. Here is the full breakdown.
Total cost over 30 years
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total payments (30 years) | $375,509 |
| Principal (loan amount) | $160,000.0 |
| Total interest paid | $215,509 |
| Down payment | $60,000 |
| Total cost of home | $415,509 |
Down payment scenarios
| Down Payment | Amount | Loan Amount | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | $10,000 | $190,000 | $1,239 |
| 10% | $30,000 | $180,000 | $1,173 |
| 20% | $60,000 | $160,000.0 | $1,565 |
| 25% | $50,000 | $150,000 | $978 |
What income do you need?
At $1,565/month, you need at least $5,588/month gross income ($67,050/year) under the 28% rule. Many dual-income households earning $70k–$90k combined can comfortably qualify for a $300k mortgage, especially with limited other debt.$5,588/month ($67,050/year).
Some lenders use the 36% total debt rule. If you have car loans, student loans, or credit card minimums, your required income will be higher. Use our home affordability calculator for a personalized estimate.
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What a $300,000 Mortgage Actually Costs Per Month
The purchase price of $300,000 is only the starting point. Your actual monthly housing cost combines principal and interest on the loan, property tax, homeowners insurance, and — if you put less than 20% down — private mortgage insurance (PMI). Understanding all four components before you make an offer prevents the common shock of a mortgage payment significantly larger than expected from the listing price alone.
At a 6.75% interest rate on a 30-year mortgage with 20% down ($60,000 down, $240,000 loan), your estimated monthly principal and interest is $1,557. Adding typical property tax and homeowners insurance brings total PITI to approximately $2,007/month — though property tax varies dramatically by state and county.
Monthly Payment Breakdown
| Component | 20% Down ($60,000) | 10% Down + PMI |
|---|---|---|
| Principal & Interest | $1,557/mo | $1,751/mo |
| Property Tax (est. 1.2% rate) | $300/mo | $300/mo |
| Homeowners Insurance | $150/mo | $150/mo |
| PMI (est. 0.85%) | — | $191/mo |
| Total PITI | $2,007/mo | $2,371/mo |
These are estimates. Property tax rates range from under 0.5% (Hawaii, Alabama) to over 2% (New Jersey, Illinois, Texas) of home value annually. Your actual rate is set by your specific county's tax assessment and millage rate.
Income Required for a $300,000 Home
Using the standard lender guideline that PITI should not exceed 28%–36% of gross monthly income, a $300,000 home with 20% down requires approximately $7,168–$6,272/year in gross income to qualify comfortably. With 10% down and PMI, that income requirement rises to $8,468–$7,409/year.
Lenders also consider total debt-to-income ratio (all debts, not just mortgage) — typically capped at 43%–45%. If you carry significant student loans, auto payments, or credit card minimums, those reduce the mortgage payment a lender will approve you for at any given income level.
Total Interest Over 30 Years
On a $240,000 loan at 6.75%, you pay approximately $320,389 in interest over 30 years — meaning the total cost of the home (down payment + all loan payments) is roughly $620,389. This figure demonstrates why prepaying principal, even modestly, produces substantial long-run savings: an extra $300/month applied to principal would cut payoff time by 4–5 years and save tens of thousands in interest.
15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage
A 15-year mortgage on a $300,000 home (20% down) at typically 6.0%–6.25% carries a monthly P&I of approximately $2,091 — significantly higher than the 30-year payment of $1,557. But the total interest paid drops from ~$320,389 to ~$136,328 — a difference of $184,061. Whether the higher monthly payment is manageable determines which term is appropriate for your financial situation.
Down Payment Options
| Down Payment | Loan Amount | PMI Required | Monthly P&I (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5% FHA ($10,500) | $289,500 | Yes (MIP) | $1,878 |
| 5% ($15,000) | $285,000 | Yes | $1,849 |
| 10% ($30,000) | $270,000 | Yes | $1,751 |
| 20% ($60,000) | $240,000 | No | $1,557 |
Closing Costs on a $300,000 Home
Expect closing costs of 2%–4% of purchase price: $6,000–$12,000, in addition to your down payment. This means your total cash needed at closing is your down payment plus closing costs — for a 20% down scenario, $66,000–$72,000 total. Budget for this well in advance of making an offer.
Common Mistakes
Qualifying for maximum vs. buying at maximum
A lender may approve you for a $300,000 purchase based on debt-to-income ratios. That doesn't mean a $300,000 home fits your actual monthly budget. Lenders calculate against gross income; you live on net income. Model the PITI against your actual take-home pay to verify the payment is comfortable, not just technically approvable.
Ignoring property tax variation
The same $300,000 home in New Jersey (effective rate ~2.2%) costs $440/month more in property tax than in Hawaii (effective rate ~0.28%). Research the specific tax rate for your target county before assuming the estimates above apply to your situation.
Tips and Best Practices
- Get multiple loan quotes — rate differences of 0.25%–0.5% on a $300,000 loan can translate to $40–$80/month and $15,000–$30,000 over 30 years.
- Model rate scenarios — at 7.5% instead of 6.75%, your monthly P&I on this home increases by approximately $121/month. Know your payment at different rate levels before committing.
- Build in a maintenance budget — beyond PITI, plan for 1%–1.5% of home value annually in maintenance. On a $300,000 home: $3,000–$4,500/year, or $250–$375/month set aside for repairs.
Related Calculators
- Mortgage Calculator — custom rate, term, and down payment scenarios.
- Home Affordability Calculator — what price range your income supports.
- Closing Costs Calculator — estimate total cash needed at closing.
- Refinance Calculator — when to refinance if rates change after purchase.
- Property Tax Calculator — look up rates for your specific county.
Frequently Asked Questions
What income do I need to afford a $300,000 home?
At $2,007/month PITI (20% down, 6.75% rate), you need approximately $86,014–$75,262/year gross income using the 28%–32% PITI-to-income guideline. This assumes no other significant debt; existing student loans or car payments reduce the mortgage income requirement.
How much do I need saved before buying a $300,000 home?
Minimum: 3.5% FHA down payment ($10,500) plus 2%–4% closing costs ($6,000–$12,000), plus 3–6 months of reserves post-closing. A realistic minimum cash reserve is $25,521–$31,542 including closing costs. With 20% down: $75,021–$81,042.
Is $300,000 a lot for a house?
It depends on the market. $300,000 is below the median US home price of approximately $420,000 (2024). In San Francisco, $300,000 buys a studio; in many Midwest cities, it buys a 4-bedroom suburban home. Local market context is the only meaningful reference point.
What credit score do I need for a $300,000 mortgage?
620 minimum for most conventional loans; 580 for FHA loans (with 3.5% down). But getting a competitive rate — the difference between 6.5% and 7.25% on this loan amount is $80/month — typically requires a 720+ score, and the best rates are reserved for 760+.
How long does it take to pay off a $300,000 mortgage?
30 years on a standard mortgage, 15 on a 15-year term. Making one extra monthly payment per year reduces a 30-year mortgage to roughly 26 years and saves several years of interest. Biweekly payments (half-payment every 2 weeks = 26 half-payments, or 13 full payments/year) produce a similar effect automatically.
Key Takeaways
A $300,000 home purchase requires planning well beyond the purchase price: cash for down payment plus closing costs, income sufficient for the full PITI payment (not just principal and interest), and an ongoing maintenance reserve. The monthly payment at a specific rate and down payment scenario is deterministic — use this calculator and the mortgage calculator to model your exact scenario. Then verify that the resulting payment fits comfortably in your actual monthly budget after taxes, existing debts, and savings goals, not just against lender DTI limits.