Quick answer: On a $75,000 Utah salary with minimal debt, most buyers afford roughly $300,000–$350,000 (28% front-end DTI, 30-year fixed, ~6.5% rate). With down payment assistance, that buying power often jumps $40,000–$80,000 because you need less cash at closing.
Use our free Utah affordability calculator for your exact numbers — this guide explains the rules behind the math.
Utah affordability by income (2026 estimates)
Assumptions: 30-year fixed ~6.5%, Utah property tax ~0.58%, insurance ~$1,200/yr, minimal monthly debt, 3.5% FHA down payment. With DPA covering down payment + closing costs, cash needed at closing drops dramatically.
| Gross annual income | Est. max home price | Est. monthly PITI |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $240,000 – $280,000 | ~$1,400 – $1,650 |
| $75,000 | $300,000 – $350,000 | ~$1,750 – $2,050 |
| $90,000 | $360,000 – $420,000 | ~$2,100 – $2,450 |
| $100,000 | $400,000 – $470,000 | ~$2,350 – $2,750 |
| $120,000 | $480,000 – $560,000 | ~$2,800 – $3,300 |
These are starting points. Student loans, car payments, and credit card minimums reduce your max price. Run your numbers here.
What lenders actually use: DTI ratios
Front-end DTI = housing payment ÷ gross monthly income. Target: 28% or below (some programs allow higher).
Back-end DTI = all monthly debts + housing ÷ gross income. Target: 43% or below for conventional; FHA and VA often allow higher with compensating factors.
Example: $75,000/year = $6,250/month gross. At 28% front-end, max housing payment ≈ $1,750/month (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA, MI).
Utah-specific factors that help affordability
- Low property taxes: Utah's effective rate (~0.58%) is well below the national average — your PITI is lower than coastal states at the same price.
- Down payment assistance: Less cash at closing means you can buy sooner and sometimes qualify for a higher price with the same income.
- FHA flexibility: Higher DTI allowances and 580+ credit paths for first-time buyers.
- USDA zero down: Eligible addresses in Roy, Syracuse, Clinton, and other Davis/Weber suburbs eliminate down payment entirely.
How DPA stretches buying power
Affordability calculators assume you bring 3.5–20% to closing. DPA changes that:
- A buyer who can afford $320,000 with $11,000 down might afford the same home with $500 out of pocket when FHLB HELP ($20K) + city grant ($10K) cover costs.
- That same buyer can redirect saved cash toward paying off debt — lowering DTI and unlocking a higher purchase price on the next try.
See Davis County stacking example and zero-down paths in Utah.
Should you max out your approval amount?
Not always. Many advisors suggest keeping housing under 25% of take-home pay (not gross) for comfort. A lender may approve $400,000 while $340,000 fits your lifestyle and savings goals better.
County-by-county price context (2026)
- Davis County (Layton, Clearfield, Kaysville): Median homes often $380K–$450K — DPA-heavy market
- Weber County (Ogden, Roy): Often $320K–$400K — strong USDA and Own in Ogden options
- Salt Lake County: Wide range $350K–$550K+ depending on city
- Utah County (Provo, Lehi): $400K–$500K — Utah County Loan-to-Own and Provo programs
Tools and next steps
- Utah affordability calculator — income, debts, down payment
- Mortgage payment calculator — PITI for a specific price
- First-time buyer calculator — DPA scenarios
- Utah first-time buyer hub
- Book a free affordability review — no credit pull
Estimates only, not a pre-approval or commitment to lend.