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House Hacking Calculator

Can rental income cover your mortgage?

Calculator

Calculate Your House Hack

House hacking means renting out part of your home to offset your mortgage. Enter your numbers to see if you can live for free (or close to it).

Home Price ($)

Down Payment (%)

Mortgage Rate (%)

Property Tax + Insurance ($/mo)

Rental Income ($/mo)

From spare rooms, units, or ADU

Vacancy Rate (%)

Utilities You Cover ($/mo)

Maintenance ($/mo)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is house hacking?

House hacking is buying a property, living in part of it, and renting out the rest to offset your housing costs. Common strategies include renting spare bedrooms, buying a duplex/triplex and living in one unit, or adding an ADU (accessory dwelling unit).

Can I really live for free?

Yes, in the right market with the right property. A duplex where the other unit's rent covers your entire mortgage is the classic example. Even partial coverage significantly reduces your housing cost compared to renting.

Can I use an FHA loan for house hacking?

Yes. FHA loans allow as little as 3.5%% down on properties up to 4 units, as long as you live in one unit. This is one of the most popular house hacking strategies because of the low down payment requirement.