Rent Affordability Calculator
Find how much rent you can afford with the 30% rule (or your own share), a debt check and a take-home budget, plus the income a landlord will want for a given rent.
How it works
Max rent = gross monthly income × share% − utilities · Debt check = gross monthly × 36% − debts − utilities · Budget rent = take-home − debts − living costs − savings · Comfortable rent = the lowest of these · Income needed = rent × 40 (or rent × 3 × 12)
The common guideline is to keep rent at or under 30% of gross (pre-tax) monthly income. You can change the share, for example to a more cautious 25%. US housing agencies call households that spend more than 30% of income on housing "cost-burdened", and those over 50% "severely cost-burdened"; the rating uses those bands. Utilities and renter’s insurance you pay separately count toward the same share, so they are subtracted. Debt payments compete for the same income, so a second check keeps rent plus debts within about 36% of gross income. If you enter your take-home pay, a third check subtracts debts, living costs and savings from what actually reaches your account. The comfortable rent is the lowest of these limits. Landlords screen from the other side: many require a yearly income of 40 times the monthly rent (the 30% rule) or a monthly income of 3 times the rent, so the calculator also shows the income a given rent will need.
Worked example
On $60,000 a year ($5,000 a month), the 30% rule suggests up to $1,500 in rent and 28% suggests $1,400. With $300 of other debt payments, the 36% debt check leaves 5,000 × 0.36 − 300 = $1,500, so the comfortable rent is $1,500. A $1,800 apartment is 36% of income, which counts as cost-burdened. A landlord using the 40× test would want 1,800 × 40 = $72,000 a year, and one using the 3× monthly test would want 1,800 × 3 × 12 = $64,800. If you also pay $150 a month for utilities, every limit drops by $150, so the 30% rule gives $1,350.
Sources: HUD User — CHAS background: housing cost burden (over 30%) and severe cost burden (over 50%)
Frequently asked questions
Is the 30% rule before or after tax?
It uses gross, pre-tax income, the same figure landlords screen against. Since you actually live on take-home pay, enter it under More options to see what your real budget leaves for rent.
Should utilities count toward the 30%?
Yes. The 30% guideline is meant to cover all housing costs. If the rent does not include electricity, gas, water or internet, enter them and the calculator lowers the rent limit by the same amount, so two apartments can be compared fairly.
What if rent is more than 30% where I live?
In expensive cities that is common. You can make it work by trimming other spending, adding a roommate, or saving less, but rent above about 35%–40% squeezes everything else. Above 50% is considered severely cost-burdened.
How much income do landlords require?
Two tests are common: a yearly gross income of 40 times the monthly rent, which is the 30% rule, or a monthly gross income of 3 times the rent (36 times a year). Some accept 2.5 times. Pick the test your landlord uses to see the income a given rent needs. A co-signer, a larger deposit or proof of savings can make up a shortfall.
How do roommates change the numbers?
Add a roommate’s or co-applicant’s income under More options to see what the household can afford together. Landlords often check each person against their own share of the rent, so split the rent and check each share separately.
Related calculators
This is an educational estimate, not financial or tax advice. Confirm figures with a professional.