RandRoute · South African money tools
How much of your income should go to housing?
Last reviewed: 6 October 2026 · South Africa-focused
Short answer
Add rent or bond, rates, levies, utilities, insurance, maintenance, parking, and transport effects. A cheaper payment in a distant location may create higher travel costs.
Count the full housing cost
Add rent or bond, rates, levies, utilities, insurance, maintenance, parking, and transport effects. A cheaper payment in a distant location may create higher travel costs.
Protect the amount left
After housing, you still need food, transport, debt payments, savings, and an emergency buffer. Use affordability as a comfortable ceiling rather than a maximum approval target.
Worked South African example
For example, start with R28,000 after-tax income, add your essential costs and recurring payments, and use the remaining amount to plan savings or debt reduction.
Put the idea into a number
- Affordability Calculator — Estimate an indicative property price from income, obligations, deposit, rate, and term.
- Bond / Home Loan Calculator — Estimate a South African home loan repayment after your deposit and see the total interest.
- Monthly Budget Calculator — Build a monthly budget and see what remains after essentials, lifestyle, debt, and savings.
- Expense Calculator — Add up recurring expenses to see your monthly and annual cost of living.
Next step: Start with the primary calculator above, then compare the next two tools to turn the guide into a plan.