Rent Calculator
Rules of thumb often use 25–33% of gross monthly income for rent. Adjust the percentage to match your budget.
Income and budget
Suggested max monthly rent:
Annual rent at that budget:
If that rent amount: of your gross monthly income.
How the affordable rent guideline works
This calculator multiplies gross (pre-tax) monthly income by your chosen percentage to suggest a rent ceiling. The commonly cited "30% rule" comes from historical U.S. housing-assistance guidelines, though many renters in high-cost cities spend more, and many landlords separately require a minimum gross income multiple (often 2.5–3× the monthly rent) to qualify.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use gross or net income? This calculator uses gross (pre-tax) income, matching how most landlords and rent-affordability guidelines calculate the ratio — but budgeting against your net (take-home) pay gives a more realistic picture of what you can actually afford after taxes.
Is 30% always a safe target? Not necessarily — someone with significant other debts (student loans, car payments) may need a lower percentage, while someone with minimal other expenses and no debt may comfortably afford more.
Why do landlords ask for income multiples instead of a percentage? A minimum income-to-rent multiple (like 3×) is an easy underwriting rule for landlords, but it doesn't account for your other financial obligations the way a full budget review would.