Rent Affordability Calculator

Find out how much rent you can afford in seconds. Enter your gross income, adjust the classic 30% rule if you like, and see your maximum monthly rent, your yearly rent budget, and the 3x-rent income most landlords require — all calculated instantly and privately in your browser.

📖 How it works & FAQ

Gross income ($)

Income period

Rent rule (% of income)

What is the 30% rule for rent?

The 30% rule is a long-standing budgeting guideline that says you should spend no more than 30% of your gross (pre-tax) income on rent. It dates back to U.S. housing policy from the 1960s and is still the benchmark most landlords, lenders, and budgeting apps use today. This calculator applies that rule to your income instantly, and lets you change the percentage if you want a more conservative target (like 25%) or need to stretch in a high-cost city (like 35%). Every figure updates live as you type. These results are estimates only, not professional or financial advice.

How to use it

Enter your gross income, before taxes and deductions. Include a partner or roommate's income if you will apply together.
Choose whether the amount you entered is per year or per month.
Adjust the rent rule percentage if you want something other than the classic 30%.
Read your results: your maximum monthly rent, the income a landlord would want to see for that rent under the common 3x rule, and your total yearly rent budget.

FAQ

What is the 3x rent rule?: Many landlords and property managers require applicants to show gross monthly income of at least three times the monthly rent. If a unit rents for $1,500, they want to see $4,500 per month (about $54,000 per year) in verifiable income. The second result card shows this number for your calculated max rent so you know whether your application would clear the bar.
Should I use gross or net income?: Use gross income, the amount before taxes. Both the 30% rule and landlord screening are based on gross figures. If you budget from take-home pay instead, lower the percentage to roughly 40-45% of net for a comparable target.
Does the max rent include utilities?: Traditionally the 30% guideline covers rent plus basic utilities. If your utilities are billed separately, consider dropping the percentage a few points, or subtract your expected utility costs from the max rent shown.
What if rent in my city is higher than my result?: You are not alone; in many metros renters pay 35-40% of income. Raise the percentage to see the math, but treat anything above 30% as a signal to budget carefully, add a roommate, or negotiate.