Rent Affordability Calculator
Use the Rent Affordability to work through rent Affordability from the values you enter. Review the notes below the result so you understand what the figure represents.
Max rent (30% rule)
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Conservative budget (25%) —
After debts (30% of income − debts) —
Income needed for this rent (40x) —
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How it works
30% rule: rent ≤ gross monthly income × 0.30; landlord test: annual income ≥ 40 × rentHow to use the Rent Affordability
Enter the requested values and start with one realistic example. Read the result together with its unit or label, then change one input at a time if you want to compare options.
Use the result as a planning estimate. Rates, fees, rules and personal circumstances can change the final figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much rent can I afford on my salary?
The classic guideline caps rent at 30% of gross monthly income: on $60,000/year that is $1,500/month. Landlords in competitive markets often require annual income of 40× the rent, which works out to the same threshold.
Is the 30% rule still realistic?
In expensive cities many renters exceed it, but crossing 30% is officially 'cost-burdened' — it crowds out saving. If you have heavy debt payments, the 25% figure shown here is a safer ceiling.
Do landlords look at gross or net income?
Gross — the 40× test uses pre-tax annual income. Your own budget should sanity-check the rent against take-home pay, which is why this calculator shows both views.