Rent Affordability Calculator
Calculate your recommended maximum monthly rent based on your gross income using the standard 30% guideline, plus a stricter 25% alternative.
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The standard guideline is 30% of gross income
Results
Recommended Max Rent
$1,800.00
per month, at 30% of incomeStricter Guideline (25%)
$1,500.00
How the Rent Affordability Calculator Works
Enter your monthly gross (pre-tax) income, and this calculator applies the widely used "30% rule" — recommending that rent not exceed 30% of gross income — to suggest a maximum comfortable rent. The percentage is adjustable, so you can see how a stricter or more relaxed guideline changes the recommended figure.
A stricter alternative some financial planners recommend is capping rent at 25% of gross income, leaving more room in the budget for savings, debt payments, and other fixed costs — shown alongside the standard 30% figure above.
Example
With a monthly gross income of $6,000, the standard 30% guideline suggests a maximum rent of $1,800 per month, while the stricter 25% guideline suggests $1,500 per month.
Common Use Cases
- Setting a budget ceiling before starting an apartment search.
- Checking whether a listed rental fits comfortably within your income.
- Comparing how a raise or income change shifts what you can afford.
- Explaining to a landlord or co-signer why a unit is or isn't affordable for you.
FAQs
Why 30% of income specifically?
The 30% guideline traces back to US federal housing policy from the 1980s, which defined "cost-burdened" households as those spending more than 30% of income on housing. It has since become a common budgeting rule of thumb, though it's a general guideline rather than a strict limit tailored to your full financial picture.
Should I use gross income or take-home pay?
This calculator uses gross (pre-tax) income, matching how the 30% guideline and most landlords calculate rent-to-income ratios. Since your actual spendable income is lower after taxes, some renters prefer to budget more conservatively than the guideline suggests.
Does this account for other debts or expenses?
No — this is a simple rent-to-income guideline based on income alone. If you carry significant debt payments or other large fixed costs, you may want to budget for a lower rent than either figure shown here to keep your overall finances comfortable.