$300,000 Mortgage Calculator
Monthly payment on a $300,000 home: $1,597/month (20% down, 7% rate, 30-year term).
= $60,000
Payment Breakdown
$300,000 Mortgage by Rate & Term
| Rate | 15-Year | 20-Year | 30-Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5% | $1,961 | $1,651 | $1,363 |
| 6% | $2,025 | $1,719 | $1,439 |
| 6.5% | $2,091 | $1,789 | $1,517 |
| 6.75% | $2,124 | $1,825 | $1,557 |
| 7% | $2,157 | $1,861 | $1,597 |
| 7.25% | $2,191 | $1,897 | $1,637 |
| 7.5% | $2,225 | $1,933 | $1,678 |
| 8% | $2,294 | $2,007 | $1,761 |
Is a $300,000 Home Affordable?
A common rule of thumb is that your home should cost no more than 3× your annual income, and your monthly payment should be no more than 28% of your gross monthly income.
At $1,597/month (30-year, 7%, 20% down), you would need a gross monthly income of at least $5,703 (annual: $68,431) to keep housing costs at 28% of income.
A 15-year mortgage at 6.75% costs $2,124/month but saves $192,540 in total interest over the life of the loan compared to 30 years.
True Cost of a $300,000 Mortgage
Here's what you actually pay over the life of a $300,000 mortgage (20% down, 7%):
30-Year Term
15-Year Term
Tips for Buying a $300,000 Home
- Save for 20% down ($60,000). This eliminates PMI and gives you the best rates. If that's too much, FHA loans start at 3.5% down ($10,500).
- Shop rates aggressively. Even 0.25% lower on a $240,000 loan saves $40/month — that adds up to $14,433 over 30 years.
- Budget for closing costs. Expect 2-5% of the purchase price ($6,000–$15,000) in closing costs on top of your down payment.
- Don't forget ongoing costs. Property taxes (1-2%), homeowners insurance, maintenance (1% of home value/year), and possibly HOA fees all add to your monthly obligation.
- Consider the 15-year option. If you can handle $2,124/month instead of $1,597, you'll own your home in half the time and save $192,540 in interest.
- Get pre-approved first. A pre-approval letter strengthens your offer and locks in a rate for 60-90 days while you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions — $300,000 Mortgage
What is the monthly payment on a $300,000 mortgage?
With 20% down ($60,000) at 7% for 30 years, the monthly payment is $1,597. A 15-year term at 6.75% raises the payment to $2,124 but saves $192,540 in interest.
How much income do I need for a $300,000 home?
Using the 28% rule, you need at least $68,431/year in gross income for the mortgage payment alone. Including taxes and insurance, aim for closer to $92,382/year.
Is a 30-year or 15-year mortgage better for a $300,000 home?
A 30-year mortgage has a lower payment ($1,597 vs $2,124) but costs $192,540 more in interest. Choose 30-year for cash flow flexibility; 15-year if you can handle the higher payment and want to build equity faster.
How much is a down payment on a $300,000 house?
A standard 20% down payment is $60,000. You can put down as little as 3% ($9,000) with a conventional loan or 3.5% ($10,500) with FHA, but you'll pay PMI until you reach 20% equity.
What credit score do I need for a $300,000 mortgage?
A 620 credit score qualifies for most conventional loans. FHA accepts 580+. For the best rates on your $240,000 loan, target 740+ — it could save you 0.5% or more on your rate, worth $28,715 over 30 years.
How do I lower my mortgage payment on a $300,000 home?
Increase your down payment, negotiate a lower rate, choose a longer loan term, buy discount points, or look for lender credits. Even small rate decreases compound into meaningful savings over 30 years.
How much total interest will I pay on a $300,000 mortgage?
At 7% over 30 years with 20% down, you'll pay $334,821 in total interest — that's 140% of the original loan amount. A 15-year term at 6.75% cuts total interest to $142,281.
Should I buy points to lower my rate on a $300,000 mortgage?
Each discount point (1% of the loan amount = $2,400) typically lowers your rate by 0.25%. If you plan to stay 5+ years, buying points often pays for itself through lower monthly payments.