Do I need to sign up or give my email?

No. The tool works without an account, and we never ask for your name or email.

Is my financial information saved?

No. Calculations run in your browser. Your income, savings and results are not stored, placed in the page address, or sent to analytics.

Is this a mortgage pre-approval?

No. Estimates are for planning purposes and are not mortgage approval. A lender will review your full finances, credit and the specific property.

Why does the buying estimate use the median home value?

The Census publishes home values for all homes in a city, not by bedroom count, so buying estimates reflect a typical home there. Rent figures are bedroom-specific where the Census provides them.

Which cities are included?

More than 850 U.S. cities with at least 50,000 residents and complete Census home value and rent figures. Smaller towns are not yet included.

What should I do after I find an area?

Use Analyze a Property to check a specific address or parcel number for ownership, zoning, build potential, rental and comparable sales data, and potential risks.

Where Could Your Budget Take You?

Explore places across the United States that fit your housing budget, space needs and lifestyle. Tell us whether you want to buy or rent, what you earn, what you already pay each month and how much space you need. We compare your budget against official Census housing figures for more than 850 U.S. cities with at least 50,000 residents and show the places that fit — with a clear monthly cost breakdown, the reasons each city matches and the main tradeoffs. No sign-up, no email, and your numbers never leave your browser.

How the tool works

You answer four short steps: buy or rent, your finances, how many bedrooms you need, and where you are open to living. We calculate an estimated monthly housing cost for every supported city in your chosen states or regions, keep only the cities that pass every affordability check, and rank them with a transparent score: 50 points for budget room, 20 for commute, 15 for climate and 15 for city size. Preferences you skip are not scored.

How costs are estimated

Buying estimates use the city's median owner-occupied home value and include principal and interest, property taxes (the city's own median tax paid divided by its median home value), homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance when you put less than 20% down, an HOA assumption, maintenance and utilities. Renting estimates use the city's median gross rent for your bedroom count where available, plus utilities and renters insurance. The mortgage rate, loan term and every other assumption are shown and editable.

Buying versus renting

Buying needs cash up front — a down payment plus closing costs — and we keep your emergency reserve aside before counting savings toward a down payment. Owners also pay taxes, insurance and upkeep that renters do not. Renting keeps cash free and is easier to change, but builds no equity. Switch between the two at any time to compare the same cities both ways.

Data sources and limits

Home values, rents by bedroom count and property taxes come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates (2019–2023). These are city-wide medians, not listings or quotes for any specific property, and they can trail current market prices. Commute distance is straight-line miles between city centers. Climate grouping is approximate and by state. Smaller towns are not yet supported.

Analyze a Property

Found an area you like? Explore a property’s ownership, zoning, build potential, rental and comparable sales data, and potential risks with Buildora IQ.

Disclaimer

Estimates are for planning purposes and are not mortgage approval. Actual costs and availability vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to sign up or give my email?: No. The tool works without an account, and we never ask for your name or email.
Is my financial information saved?: No. Calculations run in your browser. Your income, savings and results are not stored, placed in the page address, or sent to analytics.
Is this a mortgage pre-approval?: No. Estimates are for planning purposes and are not mortgage approval. A lender will review your full finances, credit and the specific property.
Why does the buying estimate use the median home value?: The Census publishes home values for all homes in a city, not by bedroom count, so buying estimates reflect a typical home there. Rent figures are bedroom-specific where the Census provides them.
Which cities are included?: More than 850 U.S. cities with at least 50,000 residents and complete Census home value and rent figures. Smaller towns are not yet included.
What should I do after I find an area?: Use Analyze a Property to check a specific address or parcel number for ownership, zoning, build potential, rental and comparable sales data, and potential risks.

Related Resources

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