Question: how much should you earn to qualify for a car?
Answer: The frugal rule: 10% of income For many people, I think that will be between 10–15% of your income. So if you earn $25,000 a year, that's going to be a high-mileage used car for $2,500–$3,000. If you earn $80,000, that's a used car for around $10,000 or $12,000.