> assuming 1/3 going to a mortgage would give you $2.3k a month to work with

That’s the problem right there. Even if you’re locked in on the historically low sub 3% mortgages, there is a chance you’re spending more than 1/3 of your income on housing. People with higher rates and people who are renting, spend a lot more than 1/3 of their income on housing.

I know finance influencers and older generations keep talking about 1/3 income on housing, but that hasn’t been a thing for a while now. Even before the pandemic surge in housing costs, 1/3 on housing was dream in most cities across the country.