Car price calculator
This car price calculator turns the payment you can afford into the car price it supports, so you shop with a ceiling instead of guessing.
From payment to price
Instead of asking what a car costs per month, this works backward: it takes the payment you are comfortable with, subtracts what tax and fees add, and finds the price that fits. A trade-in and a down payment lift the price you can afford directly, because they reduce the amount financed.
Staying inside the budget at the dealership
Decide the out-the-door price you will pay before you talk about financing, and treat the figure here as the maximum. If a dealer lengthens the term to hit your payment, compare the total interest: you can end up paying much more for the same car.
Car price by income and loan length
With $2,500 down, 7.5% APR, 6.5% tax and a payment capped at 12% of gross income, this is the car price each income supports.
| Gross income | 48 months | 60 months | 72 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $18,900 | $22,100 | $25,100 |
| $60,000 | $26,700 | $31,500 | $36,000 |
| $80,000 | $34,400 | $40,900 | $46,800 |
| $100,000 | $42,200 | $50,200 | $57,700 |
| $130,000 | $53,900 | $64,300 | $74,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I figure out what car price I can afford?
Set your payment cap as a share of income, then use the rate, term, tax, fees, down payment and trade-in to find the price that fits. This calculator does that.
Should sales tax be included in the budget?
Yes. Tax and fees add to the amount financed unless you pay them in cash.
Related calculators
Estimates from standard loan formulas, not a loan offer or financial advice. Example rates are assumptions: use your own quote.