Mortgage Affordability Calculator (Kenya, 2026)
By Nash Thuo · Updated June 2026
Before you fall in love with a house, find out what you can actually borrow. Enter your income and a rate to see the largest loan and property price you can comfortably afford.
How much can you borrow?
See the largest home loan you can comfortably afford, based on your income and the bank's repayment rule.
| Affordable monthly repayment | — |
| Maximum loan amount | — |
| With a 10% deposit, property up to | — |
Lenders want a deposit of 10% or more. Build yours faster in a money market fund at around 9% a year, then plan for stamp duty on top of the price.
This uses the conservative rule that your loan repayment should not exceed one third of your net monthly income, less any loans you already pay. Kenyan banks may stretch this to a half or two thirds, which lets you borrow more but leaves less room each month. The figure is an estimate; your bank's offer depends on your credit history, the property valuation and its own affordability checks.
How affordability is worked out
Lenders do not just ask what a house costs. They ask whether you can keep up the repayments. The standard yardstick is that your loan repayment should stay within one third of your net monthly income, after any loans you already service. From that affordable repayment, the calculator works backwards to the largest loan it can support over your chosen term and rate.
If you are not sure of your net income, work it out first with the PAYE and net pay calculator, then bring that figure here.
What you can borrow at different incomes
Here is a rough guide using the one-third rule, a 14% rate and a 20-year term:
| Net monthly income | Affordable repayment | Loan you can afford |
|---|---|---|
| KES 60,000 | KES 20,000 | about KES 1.6 million |
| KES 100,000 | KES 33,000 | about KES 2.7 million |
| KES 150,000 | KES 50,000 | about KES 4.0 million |
| KES 250,000 | KES 83,000 | about KES 6.7 million |
Remember the costs beyond the loan
The loan is only part of the picture. To buy, you also need a deposit (usually 10% or more of the price), stamp duty of 4% in town or 2% in rural areas, legal fees and a valuation fee. Budget for all of these before you commit, so the purchase does not stall at the last step.
Build the deposit the smart way
The biggest hurdle for most buyers is the deposit. Saving it in a current account barely moves the needle, but a money market fund paying around 9% a year gets you there faster while keeping the money within reach. See how quickly your deposit can grow with the money market fund calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much mortgage can I afford in Kenya?
A common rule is that your loan repayment should not exceed one third of your net monthly income. On a net income of KES 90,000, that is about KES 30,000 a month, which supports a loan of roughly KES 2.4 million over 20 years at 14%.
How do banks decide how much to lend in Kenya?
Banks look at your net income, your existing loan repayments, your credit history and the property valuation. Most cap your total repayments at between a third and two thirds of your net pay, and lend up to about 90% of the property value.
How much deposit do I need for a mortgage in Kenya?
Most lenders ask for a deposit of at least 10% of the property value, and some want more. You also need to budget for stamp duty, legal fees and a valuation fee on top of the deposit.
What interest rate do Kenyan mortgages charge?
Mortgage rates in Kenya are typically in the low-to-mid teens and move with the Central Bank Rate. Use the rate your bank quotes you in the calculator to get an accurate figure, since even one percentage point changes the repayment noticeably.
Should I borrow the maximum I can afford?
Usually not. Borrowing the maximum leaves little room for emergencies or rate rises. Keeping your repayment closer to a third of your income, and holding an emergency fund, is the safer path.
Is this affordability calculator free?
Yes, it is completely free and ad-free. It uses the conservative one-third repayment rule and standard reducing-balance loan maths.