Rent Affordability Calculator
How much rent can you afford? Enter your income and monthly debts to see the maximum rent under the 30% rule, the 40× income rule landlords use, and a debt-adjusted limit, plus a quick check of any apartment you are considering.
Car, student loan, credit card minimums, etc.
40× monthly rent per year (some use 36× = 3× monthly).
How to use the Rent Affordability Calculator
- Enter your gross income per year, month or hour (with weekly hours).
- Add your monthly debt payments and estimated utilities.
- Adjust the rules if your landlord or budget uses different numbers.
- Enter a rent you are considering to see whether it passes each rule.
- Read the maximum rent that passes every rule and compare in the table.
The rent affordability rules explained
- 30% rule: spend no more than 30% of your gross monthly income on rent. Max rent = Gross monthly income × 0.30. It is a long-standing housing affordability benchmark; households paying more are often called "cost-burdened".
- 40× rule: many landlords and property managers require annual income of at least 40 times the monthly rent. Max rent = Annual income ÷ 40. Some use 3× the monthly rent each month (36× a year) instead.
- Debt-adjusted limit: if you have car, student loan or card payments, rent plus those debts should stay under a cap such as 36% to 43% of gross income. Max rent = Gross monthly × cap − debt payments.
The calculator shows each rule and the lowest of them, which is the rent most likely to be both approved and comfortable.
Maximum rent by income
| Annual income | Monthly gross | 30% rule | 40× rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $2,500 | $750 | $750 |
| $40,000 | $3,333 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $4,167 | $1,250 | $1,250 |
| $60,000 | $5,000 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| $75,000 | $6,250 | $1,875 | $1,875 |
| $100,000 | $8,333 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| $150,000 | $12,500 | $3,750 | $3,750 |
Rules of thumb ignore taxes, savings goals and the cost of living where you are. In high-cost cities people often pay more than 30%; if you do, plan the rest of your budget carefully. Landlords may also look at credit history, references and savings.
Frequently asked questions
How much rent can I afford on my salary?
A common guideline is 30% of your gross income. On $72,000 a year ($6,000 a month) that is $1,800 a month. Landlords using the 40× rule would approve rent up to $72,000 ÷ 40 = $1,800 as well. If you have large debt payments, aim lower.
What is the 40x rent rule?
Many landlords require your yearly gross income to be at least 40 times the monthly rent. For a $1,500 apartment you would need $60,000 a year. To find your maximum, divide your annual income by 40.
Is the 30% rule based on gross or net income?
The traditional 30% rule uses gross (before-tax) income. If you prefer a stricter budget, apply 30% to your take-home pay instead, or lower the percentage in the calculator.
What is the 3x rent rule?
Some landlords ask that your monthly gross income be at least three times the rent. That equals 36 times the rent per year, slightly less strict than 40×. Enter 36 in the landlord income rule field to use it.
Should utilities be included in the 30%?
Housing cost guidelines usually include rent plus utilities. Tick the utilities option to set them aside inside the 30% budget, which gives a more realistic maximum rent if utilities are not included in the lease.
What if my rent is more than 30% of my income?
It is common in expensive cities. Make sure you can still cover debts, savings and essentials. Options include a roommate, a guarantor, a smaller unit or a longer commute. Our budget calculator can help plan the rest.
Is my income data stored?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere.