House Hacking Calculator
Calculate net housing cost for house hacking. Enter rent from units, mortgage and expenses to see your effective housing cost.
See how tenants pay your mortgageTry: Rent from other units / month=1500, Total mortgage payment / month=2000, Operating expenses / month=300
How to Use
Enter the total rent you collect from other units in your multi-family property, your mortgage payment and operating expenses. The calculator shows your net housing cost — what you actually pay to live after rental income offsets your expenses.
House hacking means living in one unit of a multi-family property and renting the others. FHA loans allow as little as 3.5% down on owner-occupied multi-units up to 4 units.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as house hacking?
Buying a multi-unit property (2–4 units), living in one unit, and renting the others. You can also rent rooms in a single-family home. The key is using rental income to offset your housing costs.
Can I use an FHA loan for house hacking?
Yes. FHA loans allow 3.5% down on owner-occupied properties up to 4 units. Conventional loans also offer low-down options for multi-family. You must live in the property for at least 12 months.
What if the rent doesn't cover my mortgage?
That's common in expensive markets. Even partial coverage reduces your housing cost significantly. If your net cost is $500/month instead of $2,000, you're still winning.