How Much House Can I Afford in Las Vegas? (2025 Calculator Guide)

by Ryan Rose

Most lenders recommend spending no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing costs, including mortgage, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees. In Las Vegas, a household earning $100,000 annually can typically afford a home priced between $350,000 and $450,000 depending on down payment, interest rate, and other debts. This guide breaks down the real math so you can shop confidently within your budget.

The 28/36 Rule Explained

Lenders use two ratios to determine how much you can borrow:

Front-end ratio (28%):

Your housing costs (mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, HOA) should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. On $100,000 annual income ($8,333/month gross), that means housing costs should stay under approximately $2,333/month.

Back-end ratio (36%):

Your total monthly debt payments (housing plus car loans, student loans, credit cards, etc.) should not exceed 36% of gross income. On $100,000 annual income, total debt payments should stay under approximately $3,000/month.

Some loan programs allow higher ratios (up to 43% or even 50% back-end for certain FHA and VA loans), but staying within 28/36 provides financial breathing room.

Affordability by Income Level

The following estimates assume 10% down, 6.5% interest rate, $200/month HOA, and typical Las Vegas property taxes and insurance:

Important: These are estimates. Your actual affordability depends on credit score, other debts, down payment amount, and current interest rates. Get pre-approved for exact numbers.

What's Included in Your Monthly Payment

Principal and Interest:

The actual loan payment. On a $400,000 home with 10% down ($360,000 loan) at 6.5%, this is approximately $2,275/month.

Property Taxes:

Nevada's property tax rate averages about 0.55%, lower than most states. On a $400,000 home, expect approximately $180/month escrowed for property taxes.

Homeowner's Insurance:

Typical Las Vegas homeowner's insurance runs $100-$200/month depending on coverage amount, home age, and provider. Budget $150/month as a starting estimate.

HOA Fees:

Most Las Vegas master-planned communities have HOA fees ranging from $50-$300/month. Higher-amenity communities (Summerlin, Anthem) tend toward the higher end. Some guard-gated communities exceed $300/month. Always factor HOA into your budget.

PMI (if applicable):

If your down payment is less than 20%, you will pay Private Mortgage Insurance. PMI typically costs 0.5-1% of the loan amount annually. On a $360,000 loan, that is $150-$300/month until you reach 20% equity.

Factors That Increase Your Buying Power

Larger down payment: 20% down eliminates PMI and reduces your loan amount
Lower interest rate: Each 1% decrease adds roughly $40,000 to your buying power
Lower other debts: Paying off car loans or credit cards improves your back-end ratio
Higher credit score: Better scores qualify for lower rates
Co-borrower income: Adding a spouse or partner's income increases qualification

Las Vegas-Specific Considerations

No state income tax advantage:

Nevada has no state income tax, which means more of your gross income is available for housing. If you are moving from California (up to 13.3% state tax) or other high-tax states, your effective buying power increases significantly.

Summer utility costs:

Las Vegas summers mean air conditioning bills of $200-$400/month June through September. Factor this into your monthly budget beyond just the mortgage payment.

HOA-heavy market:

Most desirable Las Vegas neighborhoods have HOAs. Budget for $150-$250/month in HOA fees when calculating affordability for master-planned communities.

What You Can Buy at Each Price Point

$300,000 - $400,000:

Condos/townhomes in Henderson or Summerlin, entry-level single-family in Mountains Edge or southwest Las Vegas, older single-family in established areas needing updates.

$400,000 - $500,000:

Entry-level single-family in Summerlin, Cadence, or Green Valley Ranch. Mid-range options in Mountains Edge. Newer construction townhomes in premium communities.

$500,000 - $700,000:

Mid-range single-family in Summerlin, Anthem, or Southern Highlands. Larger homes in Mountains Edge or Cadence. Move-up options with more space and features.

$700,000+:

Premium neighborhoods, guard-gated communities, larger lots, luxury finishes. Anthem Country Club, The Ridges (Summerlin), Seven Hills guard-gated options.

The Bottom Line

How much house you can afford depends on income, debts, down payment, and interest rates. Use the 28% rule as a starting guideline, but get pre-approved for your exact numbers. In Las Vegas, a household earning $100,000 can typically afford homes in the $350,000-$450,000 range, which opens doors to quality master-planned communities throughout the valley.

I help buyers understand their options at every price point. If you want to discuss your specific situation and see what neighborhoods fit your budget, reach out for a no-pressure conversation.

Ready to find your Las Vegas home? Call or text Ryan Rose at 702-747-5921 for personalized guidance.

Las Vegas Home Affordability FAQ 2025: How Much House Can I Afford by Income, Rates, Taxes & HOA

Q1: How much house can I afford in Las Vegas with a $100,000 household income?

With typical assumptions (6.5% rate, 5% down, average $150 HOA), most buyers can afford $350,000–$450,000, with an estimated total monthly payment around $2,600–$3,300.

Q2: What percentage of my income should my housing payment be?

Aim for 28–33% of gross monthly income for total housing costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance, PMI if any, and HOA). Lenders commonly use a 28% front-end and 36% total debt-to-income guideline.

Q3: What is included in my total monthly housing cost?

Principal and interest on the loan, property taxes (~0.55%/year in Nevada), homeowner’s insurance, HOA dues (if applicable), and PMI if you put less than 20% down.

Q4: How much are property taxes in Las Vegas?

Nevada’s effective rate is about 0.55%. On a $450,000 home, expect roughly $2,475/year (~$206/month). That’s lower than many states like California or Texas.

Q5: How much should I budget for homeowner’s insurance?

Plan for about $100–$200 per month for typical Las Vegas homes, depending on coverage and home features.

Q6: How common are HOA fees in Las Vegas?

Very common in master-planned communities (Summerlin, Henderson, Southern Highlands, Mountains Edge). HOAs typically range from $50–$300/month; guard-gated and golf communities trend higher.

Q7: How do HOA fees impact my affordability?

HOA dues count toward your monthly housing cost and DTI. Higher HOAs reduce your maximum home price, so choosing a lower-HOA community can increase buying power.

Q8: Do I need 20% down to buy in Las Vegas?

No. The estimates here use 5% down. With less than 20% down you’ll typically pay PMI until you reach 20% equity. FHA loans have their own mortgage insurance premiums.

Q9: What is PMI and when does it go away?

PMI protects the lender when you put less than 20% down. It typically costs 0.5–1% of the loan per year. On a $427,500 loan (5% down on $450,000), that’s about $178–$356/month. On conventional loans, PMI can cancel around 20% equity.

Q10: How do interest rates affect what I can afford?

Lower rates reduce your payment and boost buying power; higher rates do the opposite. You can buy points or use rate buydowns to lower the rate and monthly payment.

Q11: What are the 28/36 DTI rules in plain English?

28%: Lenders prefer your housing costs not exceed 28% of gross monthly income. 36%: All monthly debts (housing + car + student loans + credit cards) ideally stay at or under 36%.

Q12: DTI example for a $100,000 income?

At $100,000/year ($8,333/month), housing at 28% is ~$2,333. If you have $400 car + $200 student loans, total debt room is ~$3,000 (36%), leaving about $2,400/month for housing.

Q13: What can I buy for $300,000–$400,000?

Entry-level single-family homes (1,400–1,800 sq ft, 3 bed/2 bath) in areas like Mountains Edge, Cadence, and older Summerlin sections; or condos/townhomes in premium areas.

Q14: What can I buy for $400,000–$500,000?

Mid-range single-family homes (1,800–2,200 sq ft, 3–4 bed/2–3 bath) in many master-planned communities, including parts of Summerlin, Mountains Edge, and Cadence.

Q15: What can I buy for $500,000–$650,000?

Larger homes (2,200–2,800 sq ft) in premium areas like better Summerlin villages, Green Valley Ranch, and portions of Anthem, often with modern layouts and upgrades.

Q16: What can I buy for $650,000+?

Premium neighborhoods such as Anthem, Seven Hills, Southern Highlands, and luxury Summerlin villages, including guard-gated options and homes with custom features and larger lots.

Q17: What factors can increase my buying power?

A larger down payment (20%+), a lower interest rate (via points or buydown), paying off existing debts, improving credit, and choosing communities with lower HOA fees.

Q18: What factors can reduce my buying power?

High existing debts, lower credit scores (leading to higher rates), high HOA fees, and variable income situations (e.g., self-employment) can all reduce the amount you qualify for.

Q19: How accurate are the affordability ranges by income?

They’re realistic starting points based on a 6.5% rate, 5% down, typical insurance, PMI if needed, average $150 HOA, and ~0.55% property taxes. Your exact numbers will vary with your specifics.

Q20: Are closing costs included in these estimates?

No. Plan for additional closing costs (e.g., lender, title, escrow, prepaid taxes/insurance). Ask your lender for a fee estimate alongside your pre-approval.

Q21: Should I max out my approved budget?

It’s wise to leave room for maintenance, furnishings, utilities, and life’s surprises. Many buyers target a monthly payment below their lender maximum.

Q22: What’s the best first step to find my exact price range?

Get pre-approved with a lender to see precise numbers for your income, debts, credit, and down payment. Then match neighborhoods and home types to that budget.