How much home can you afford in the Lower Mainland? Enter your income, debts and down payment to estimate the largest mortgage you could qualify for under Canada’s mortgage stress test, and the monthly payment at your actual rate.
Illustrative estimate only. Uses Canadian semi-annual compounding, the stress test qualifying rate and 39% / 44% debt service limits. It does not include mortgage default insurance premiums or minimum down payment rules, and lenders set their own criteria.
How the mortgage stress test works
Federally regulated lenders must check that you could still afford your mortgage if rates went up. For uninsured mortgages, OSFI sets the minimum qualifying rate at the higher of your contract rate plus 2% or 5.25%. Insured mortgages (less than 20% down) use the same test. You pay the actual rate you are offered, but you qualify at the higher rate.
The two debt limits
- Gross debt service (GDS): your mortgage payment, property tax, heating and half of any strata fees should be no more than 39% of your gross monthly income.
- Total debt service (TDS): the same costs plus your other debt payments should be no more than 44% of your gross monthly income.
These are the limits CMHC uses for insured mortgages. Many lenders use similar limits for other mortgages, but each lender has its own rules.
Next steps
A pre-approval from a lender or mortgage broker gives you a firm number and holds a rate for a period of time. Then add the property transfer tax with my BC property transfer tax calculator. If you want to talk about neighbourhoods and homes in your price range, call or text me at 604-785-5555 or send me a message.
Muzaffar Manghat, REALTOR®, Sutton Premier Realty
Sources
This calculator is general information, not financial or mortgage advice. Results are estimates based on the inputs and do not guarantee approval. Speak with a licensed mortgage professional. Rules checked November 2026. This is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with a brokerage.
