What is a debt-to-income ratio? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024)

FAQs

What is a debt-to-income ratio? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? ›

Your debt-to-income ratio is all your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. This number is one way lenders measure your ability to manage the monthly payments to repay the money you plan to borrow.

Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) compares how much you owe each month to how much you earn. Specifically, it's the percentage of your gross monthly income (before taxes) that goes towards payments for rent, mortgage, credit cards, or other debt.

Debt-to-income ratio of 36% or less

With a DTI ratio of 36% or less, you probably have a healthy amount of income each month to put towards investments or savings. Most lenders will see you as a safe bet to afford monthly payments for a new loan or line of credit.

Traditionally, lenders have said that your housing costs (mortgage principal and interest, homeowner's insurance, and property taxes, also known as PITI) shouldn't exceed 28% of your gross income, and that your overall debt (PITI plus car and other loan payments) shouldn't exceed 36%.

Consider maintaining a debt-to- income ratio for all debts of 36 percent or less. Some lenders will go up to 43 percent or higher. Your home mortgage is included in this ratio. Consider maintaining a debt-to- income ratio for all debts of 15-20 percent or less.

DTI is one factor that can help lenders decide whether you can repay the money you have borrowed or take on more debt. A good debt-to-income ratio is below 43%, and many lenders prefer 36% or below. Learn more about how debt-to-income ratio is calculated and how you can improve yours.

Generally, a DTI of 20% or less is considered low and at or below 43% is the rule of thumb for getting a qualified mortgage, according to the CFPB. Lenders for personal loans tend to be more lenient with DTI than mortgage lenders. In all cases, however, the lower your DTI, the better.

As a general guideline, 43% is the highest DTI ratio a borrower can have and still get qualified for a mortgage. Ideally, lenders prefer a debt-to-income ratio lower than 36%, with no more than 28%-35% of that debt going towards servicing a mortgage.

What payments should not be included in debt-to-income ratio? Expand. The following payments should not be included: Monthly utilities, like water, garbage, electricity or gas bills.

1) Add up the amount you pay each month for debt and recurring financial obligations (such as credit cards, car loans and leases, and student loans). Don't include your rental payment, or other monthly expenses that aren't debts (such as phone and electric bills).

What is the 3 points and fees rule? ›

To make sure borrowers don't pay very high fees, a lender making a Qualified Mortgage can only charge up to the following upfront points and fees: For a loan of $100,000 or more: 3% of the total loan amount or less. For a loan of $60,000 to $100,000: $3,000 or less.

Mandatory product feature requirements for all QMs

Points and fees are less than or equal to 3% of the loan amount (for loan amounts less than $100k, higher percentage thresholds are allowed); No risky features like negative amortization, interest-only, or balloon loans (BUT NOTE: Balloon loans originated until Jan.

The 2% rule states that you should aim for a 2% lower interest rate in order to ensure that the savings generated by your new loan will offset the cost refinancing, provided you've lived in your home for two years and plan to stay for at least two more.

35% or less is generally viewed as favorable, and your debt is manageable. You likely have money remaining after paying monthly bills. 36% to 49% means your DTI ratio is adequate, but you have room for improvement. Lenders might ask for other eligibility requirements.

10% or less: Shouldn't have trouble getting loans. May qualify for lower rates. 11% to 20%: Again, shouldn't have trouble getting loans. Time to scale back on spending.