Know Your Number Before You Hit the Lot
Get a clear, honest affordability check based on your income, down payment, and loan terms — using the same guidelines financial advisors recommend.
Can I Afford a Car?
Enter your details below for an honest, personalized affordability check — based on industry-standard financial guidelines.
No personal data collected. Runs entirely in your browser.
0–10%
10–15%
15%+
20 / 4 / 10 Rule Check
A widely used guideline: 20% down, max 4-year loan, payment ≤ 10% of monthly take-home. Learn more →
Estimates only. Take-home pay modeled at ~75% of gross income (approximate US average after federal + state taxes). Actual terms vary by lender and creditworthiness. See full methodology →
Transparent Methodology
Our calculator uses standard amortization math and the widely accepted 20/4/10 rule. Every formula is documented and explained.
See how we calculate →No Data Collected
Everything runs in your browser. We never store, sell, or transmit the numbers you enter. There's nothing to collect because nothing leaves your device.
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Understand the Full Picture
Before you finance, read what the dealership won't tell you.
Should I Refinance My Car Loan? 5 Signs It's Time
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Read article →Can I Afford a Car on a $50,000 Salary?
A concrete affordability breakdown for $50K earners — what price range makes sense, new vs. used, and how down payment changes the numbers.
Read article →How Much Should My Car Payment Be?
The 10-15% rule, the 20/4/10 rule, and real examples across common income levels — so you know what payment is actually affordable for your situation.
Read article →Should I Lease or Buy a Car? A Practical 2026 Comparison
Leasing offers lower monthly payments; buying builds equity. Here's how to figure out which makes more financial sense for your situation.
Read article →What Credit Score Do I Need for a Car Loan?
A breakdown of credit score tiers, typical auto loan rates at each tier, and what to do if your score isn't where you want it before buying a car.
Read article →Common Questions
Answers to the questions we see most often about car affordability and auto financing.
Browse All Guides →A common guideline is to keep your monthly car payment at or below 10% of your monthly take-home pay, and total transportation costs (including insurance, gas, and maintenance) at or below 15–20%. For example, if you take home $4,000/month, aim for a car payment no higher than $400/month. Use our calculator above for a precise number based on your down payment and loan term.
The 20/4/10 rule is a popular budgeting guideline that says: put at least 20% down, finance for no more than 4 years, and keep total monthly car costs (payment + insurance) under 10% of your gross monthly income. Not everyone can follow all three rules at once, but using them as a target helps avoid being 'car poor.'
We multiply your gross annual income by 75% (i.e., assume a combined federal + state effective tax rate of about 25%) and divide by 12 to get estimated monthly take-home pay. This is a rough approximation — your actual take-home depends on your tax filing status, deductions, state, and other withholdings. You can use your actual monthly take-home to get a more accurate result. See our methodology page for full details.
Enter the full car price (sticker price or agreed purchase price). The calculator automatically subtracts your down payment and trade-in value to determine the amount financed, then calculates payments on that financed amount.
A reasonable default is 7–9% for good credit (690–720 FICO), 10–14% for fair credit (620–680 FICO), and 15%+ for poor credit below 620. Use our credit score guide to estimate your likely rate before you apply — checking your credit won't affect your score.
No. Our calculator runs entirely in your browser and doesn't connect to any credit bureau or lender. We don't collect any information you enter. Only when you click through to an affiliate lender and submit an actual application might a hard or soft credit pull occur — and many lenders offer soft-pull pre-qualification first.
Find Your Best Auto Loan Rate
Compare lenders to get the lowest rate for your situation — your credit score and income determine which is best for you.
Compare offers from multiple lenders at once. Pre-qualify without a hard credit pull.
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- Works for good and fair credit
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Already have a car loan? Refinancing could save you hundreds.
If your credit score has improved since you took out your loan — or market rates have dropped — refinancing can lower your payment without buying a new car.