What car payment can I afford on my budget?

Most lenders suggest keeping your total car payment at or below 10-15% of monthly take-home pay. This calculator works backward from your budget to show the maximum vehicle price you can afford after sales tax, fees, and your down payment or trade-in.

Should I roll tax and fees into the loan?

Rolling tax and fees into the loan lowers cash due at signing but increases the amount financed and total interest. This calculator lets you compare both ways.

Budget-first planning · 50 states

Car affordability calculator

Start with the monthly payment you can handle. We work backward — including your state's sales tax, dealer fees, and trade-in equity — to show the max vehicle price you can afford.

Your budget

Max monthly payment

Down payment

Trade-in value

Still owed on trade-in

Leave at $0 if your trade-in is paid off.

Interest rate (APR)

Not sure? See average rates by credit score on our rate table.

Loan term

State

Sets your state's sales tax and typical fees automatically.

Roll sales tax & fees into the loan

Max vehicle price you can afford

$ 23,100

Est. monthly payment

$499

Amount financed

$25,187

Est. sales tax

$1,617

Cash due at signing

Sales tax and fees are rolled into the loan, reducing cash due at signing.

Calculate an exact payment → Thinking of refinancing? →

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Auto loan rates by credit score — what APR to expect