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About the rent affordability calculator
Before you look at apartments, know your limit. This calculator turns your income into the highest rent per month you can afford, using the rules that landlords and advisers use:
- 30% of income — the classic rule of thumb
- 28% of income — a stricter version, also used for mortgages
- 25% of income — comfortable, leaves room to save
- Income at least 3 × the rent — the rule many landlords use to approve you
- 36% for rent and debts — a common limit that counts your loan and card payments
Type your income, choose how often you are paid, and pick a rule. The result shows the highest rent for it — and for all the other rules, so you can compare.
How to use it
- Type your income before tax and choose per year, month, two weeks or week
- Pick the rule you want
- Open More options to add your debt payments per month and your income after tax
- Read the highest rent per month and per year
Rent by income
Highest rent per month for a yearly income before tax:
| Income per year | 30% rule | 28% rule | 25% rule | 3× rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,000 | $900 | $840 | $750 | $1,000 |
| $48,000 | $1,200 | $1,120 | $1,000 | $1,333 |
| $60,000 | $1,500 | $1,400 | $1,250 | $1,667 |
| $80,000 | $2,000 | $1,867 | $1,667 | $2,222 |
| $100,000 | $2,500 | $2,333 | $2,083 | $2,778 |
Which rule should I use?
- Use the 30% rule as a first answer for any city.
- Use 25% if you want to save more, or if your costs outside rent are high.
- Use the 3× rule to see if a landlord will accept you — the monthly income before tax should be at least three times the rent.
- Use 36% with debts if you have loans or cards. Rent plus debt payments should stay under 36% of income before tax. A student loan of $300 a month lowers the rent you can afford by $300.
In expensive cities many people pay more than 30%. If that is you, look at the rest of your budget with the 50/30/20 Budget Calculator, and think about a roommate — the Expense Splitter helps share the bills.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my income should go to rent?
About 30% of your income before tax is the usual guide. Under 25% is comfortable; over 40% is hard to live with.
Is the rule based on income before or after tax?
Most rules use income before tax (gross). The calculator also shows half of your income after tax as a ceiling for all needs, if you type your net income.
What is the 40× rule?
Some landlords ask that your yearly income is at least 40 times the monthly rent. That is the same as the monthly income being 3.33 × the rent, a little stricter than the 3× rule.
Should utilities count?
The classic rule is about rent only. If utilities are not in the rent, plan another 5%–10% of income for them.
Can I afford it if I have debts?
Use the 36% for rent and debts rule and type your monthly debt payments under More options.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is a planning guide. Your own costs and your landlord's rules decide.
Good to know
- Works with any currency — choose it at the top
- Your numbers are saved only in this browser
- Nothing you type is sent anywhere
Related tools
- Budget Calculator — needs, wants and savings
- Mortgage Calculator — rent or buy?
- Expense Splitter — share rent and bills
- Hourly to Salary Calculator — turn hourly pay into yearly pay
- Emergency Fund Calculator — keep a few months of rent in reserve
