Understanding DTI Ratios in Colorado
The debt-to-income ratio is the single most important metric lenders use to evaluate loan applications. It compares your total monthly debt payments to your gross monthly income. Two versions matter: the front-end ratio (housing costs only) and the back-end ratio (all monthly debt obligations).
In Colorado, with a median household income of $97,113/year and a median home price of $605K, the price-to-income ratio is 6.2ร. This is well above the traditional 4ร guideline, indicating significant affordability pressure in Colorado.
DTI Thresholds Explained
| DTI Range | Lender View | Monthly Income at $97K/yr |
|---|---|---|
| Below 28% | Excellent โ easily qualifies | Under $2,266/mo |
| 28โ36% | Acceptable โ qualifies with good credit | $2,266โ$2,913/mo |
| 36โ43% | Elevated โ requires compensating factors | $2,913โ$3,480/mo |
| Above 43% | High โ most conventional loans denied | Over $3,480/mo |
Colorado vs. National Housing Affordability
| Metric | Colorado | National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $605,000 | $420,000 |
| Median Household Income | $97,113 | $74,580 |
| Price-to-Income Ratio | 6.2ร | 5.6ร |
| Max Housing Budget (28%) | $2,266/mo | $1,740/mo |