House Hacking Calculator
Your real monthly housing cost when tenants pay most of the mortgage, and the cash flow after you move out.
Your numbers
The property
Financing
Operating
Income
Monthly housing savings
-$853
Your current rent minus your effective cost as a house hacker.
- Your effective housing cost
- $2,453
- Full PITI + MI
- $3,758
- Tenant income (effective)
- $1,378
- Cash flow after you move out
- -$1,148
- Down payment
- $21,000
- Annual savings
- -$10,234
PITI + reserves − tenant rent
All units rented at market
Renting vs. house hacking
| Keep renting | House hack | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly housing cost | $1,600 | $2,453 |
| Building equity | $0 | $657+ /mo |
| Annual cost | $19,200 | $29,434 |
Equity figure approximates early-loan principal paydown; it grows every month. Appreciation and tax benefits are not included.
Estimates for planning only. Not financial, tax, or legal advice. Verify every number with your own due diligence and advisors.
How this calculator works
House hacking means buying a small multifamily property (2–4 units), living in one unit, and letting the other units' rent pay most of your mortgage. Because you occupy the property, you qualify for owner-occupant financing, as little as 3.5–5% down instead of an investor's 20–25%.
The calculator compares your effective monthly housing cost as a house hacker against the rent you pay today, and shows the property's cash flow once you eventually move out and rent your unit too.
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House Hacking questions, answered.
FHA loans go to 3.5% down on 1–4 unit owner-occupied properties, and conventional owner-occupant programs start around 5%. You'll typically pay mortgage insurance below 20% down. The calculator includes it.
Owner-occupant loans generally require you to occupy the property as your primary residence for at least 12 months. After that, many house hackers move out, rent their unit, and repeat the strategy on the next property.
Often, yes. Lenders commonly credit 75% of documented or appraiser-estimated market rent from the other units toward your qualifying income. Ask your lender how they treat multi-unit owner-occupied purchases.
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