Why is sales tax handled this way?

Many buyers roll tax into financing. This model applies your tax percent to price and includes it in the amount financed after down payment and trade-in.

Does this include insurance or fuel?

No. Total cost of ownership is wider than the loan payment—budget separately for insurance, maintenance, and fuel.

Is the max price exact?

It is a mathematical inverse of the payment formula with your assumptions. Real lender tiers, fees, and promotions can differ.

Car Affordability Calculator

Set the payment you can afford, loan terms, and cash or trade-in, and see an approximate pre-tax vehicle price that fits those constraints. Dealer add-ons, insurance, and varying tax rules are simplified—verify with your financing offer.

Educational only. Not a lender decision—rough planning math with fixed tax/fee assumptions behind the scenes so you can compare scenarios quickly.

Your numbers

Monthly take-home income

Monthly expenses (optional)

Down payment

Loan term

Interest rate (APR %)

Insurance estimate ($ / month, optional)

Trade-in value (optional)

Max car price (primary)

$34,772

Before sales tax, using the Moderate budget band. Insurance was estimated at $117/mo (leave the field blank for this default).

Sticker price before tax. Loan includes illustrative 7.25% sales tax and $600 in rolled-in fees. Budget caps: 8% / 12% / 18% of take-home vs 35% / 50% / 65% of cash left after expenses (whichever is tighter), then insurance is subtracted to get the loan room.

Est. loan payment

$663

/ month (primary tier)

Total loan cost

$39,780

Principal + interest over 60 mo

Total interest

$5,887

On the financed amount

Affordability gauge

Share of take-home going to loan + insurance for the primary tier—not a lender DTI.

Cash after expenses: $6,500
Car costs / take-home: 12.0%

Monthly cost breakdown

Primary-tier loan payment and insurance.

Recommended price ranges

Conservative

$22,379

Max price before tax

Loan / mo: $403
% of income: 8.0%

Moderate · primary

$34,772

Max price before tax

Loan / mo: $663
% of income: 12.0%

Aggressive

$53,362

Max price before tax

Loan / mo: $1,053
% of income: 18.0%

Frequently asked questions

Why is sales tax handled this way?: Many buyers roll tax into financing. This model applies your tax percent to price and includes it in the amount financed after down payment and trade-in.
Does this include insurance or fuel?: No. Total cost of ownership is wider than the loan payment—budget separately for insurance, maintenance, and fuel.
Is the max price exact?: It is a mathematical inverse of the payment formula with your assumptions. Real lender tiers, fees, and promotions can differ.