Debt-to-Income Ratio | Cambridge Credit (2024)

FAQs

Debt-to-Income Ratio | Cambridge Credit? ›

Debt-to-Income Ratio is calculated as the total debt payments divided by the gross monthly income. For example: Total debt payments = $700. Gross monthly income = $3,200.

35% or less: Looking Good - Relative to your income, your debt is at a manageable level. You most likely have money left over for saving or spending after you've paid your bills. Lenders generally view a lower DTI as favorable.

35% or less is generally viewed as favorable, and your debt is manageable. You likely have money remaining after paying monthly bills. 36% to 49% means your DTI ratio is adequate, but you have room for improvement.

To calculate debt-to-income ratio, divide your total monthly debt obligations (including rent or mortgage, student loan payments, auto loan payments and credit card minimums) by your gross monthly income. What is a good debt-to-income ratio? A debt-to-income ratio of 36% is generally considered manageable.

Key takeaways

Most lenders see DTI ratios of 36% as ideal. Approval with a ratio above 50% is tough. The lower the DTI the better, not just for loan approval but for a better interest rate.

Debt-to-credit ratio and its impact on your credit score

Remember, it's ideal to keep this ratio to about 30% or lower.

What is an ideal debt-to-income ratio? Lenders typically say the ideal front-end ratio should be no more than 28 percent, and the back-end ratio, including all expenses, should be 36 percent or lower.

According to the 28/36 rule, you should spend no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing and no more than 36% on all debts. Housing costs can include: Your monthly mortgage payment. Homeowners Insurance. Private mortgage insurance.

Key takeaways

Debt-to-income ratio is your monthly debt obligations compared to your gross monthly income (before taxes), expressed as a percentage. A good debt-to-income ratio is less than or equal to 36%. Any debt-to-income ratio above 43% is considered to be too much debt.

What is a good debt-to-income ratio for buying a house? ›

What's a good debt-to-income ratio? Ideally, your front-end HTI calculation should not exceed 28% when applying for a new loan, such as a mortgage. You should strive to keep your back-end DTI ratio at or below 36%.

Ideally, financial experts like to see a DTI of no more than 15 to 20 percent of your net income. For example, a family with a $250 car payment and $100 of monthly credit card payments, and $2,500 net income per month would have a DTI of 14 percent ($350/$2,500 = 0.14 or 14%).

In the U.S., the average credit score is 716, per Experian's latest data from the second quarter of 2023. And when you break down the average credit score by age, the typical American is hovering near or above that score.

Lenders look for low debt-to-income (DTI) figures because borrowers with more available income are more likely to successfully manage new monthly debt payments. Credit utilization impacts credit scores, but not debt-to-credit ratios.

The following payments should not be included: Monthly utilities, like water, garbage, electricity or gas bills. Car Insurance expenses.

The Federal Reserve tracks the nation's household debt payments as a percentage of disposable income. The most recent debt payment-to-income ratio, from the fourth quarter of 2023, is 9.8%. That means the average American spends nearly 10% of their monthly income on debt payments.

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is how much money you earn versus what you spend. It's calculated by dividing your monthly debts by your gross monthly income. Generally, it's a good idea to keep your DTI ratio below 43%, though 35% or less is considered “good.”

Interpreting the Debt Ratio

If the ratio is over 1, a company has more debt than assets. If the ratio is below 1, the company has more assets than debt. Broadly speaking, ratios of 60% (0.6) or more are considered high, while ratios of 40% (0.4) or less are considered low.

Called the five Cs of credit, they include capacity, capital, conditions, character, and collateral. There is no regulatory standard that requires the use of the five Cs of credit, but the majority of lenders review most of this information prior to allowing a borrower to take on debt.

While a 0% utilization is certainly better than having a high CUR, it's not as good as something in the single digits. Depending on the scoring model used, some experts recommend aiming to keep your credit utilization rate at 10% (or below) as a healthy goal to get the best credit score.

What credit card has $5000 limit with bad credit? ›

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Secured Card is the best option if you have limited/poor credit and are looking for a high credit limit. You can deposit anywhere from $300 to $5,000, making your maximum credit limit available $5,000.

Debt-to-income ratio of 42% to 49%

DTIs between 42% and 49% suggest you're nearing unmanageable levels of debt relative to your income. Lenders might not be convinced that you will be able to meet payments for another line of credit.

Rent is an expense, and it can be a liability, but it is not a debt unless it is overdue. Rent and mortgage interest are in the same class of expense. But then mortgage interest is not a debt either.

Lenders generally exclude certain debts when calculating a mortgage's debt-to-income (DTI). These debts may include: Debts that you'll pay off within ten months of the mortgage closing date. Debts not reported on credit reports, such as utility bills and medical bills.

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is how much money you earn versus what you spend. It's calculated by dividing your monthly debts by your gross monthly income. Generally, it's a good idea to keep your DTI ratio below 43%, though 35% or less is considered “good.”

Key takeaways

Debt-to-income ratio is your monthly debt obligations compared to your gross monthly income (before taxes), expressed as a percentage. A good debt-to-income ratio is less than or equal to 36%. Any debt-to-income ratio above 43% is considered to be too much debt.

Interpreting the Debt Ratio

If the ratio is over 1, a company has more debt than assets. If the ratio is below 1, the company has more assets than debt. Broadly speaking, ratios of 60% (0.6) or more are considered high, while ratios of 40% (0.4) or less are considered low.