Rent affordability calculator
See how much rent fits your income under common guidelines.
| Rent level | Monthly rent | Rent + debts / income |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative (25%) | $1,375 | 33% |
| Guideline (30%) | $1,650 | 38% |
| Stretch (35%) | $1,925 | 43% |
How it works
A common guideline limits rent to 30% of gross income, and many landlords require income of at least three times the rent. The table also shows how your debts compare with income at each rent level.
Utilities, renters insurance, and parking are extra. High-cost areas often exceed these guidelines.
Example
With the sample inputs shown above (Gross monthly income ($) = 5500; Monthly debt payments ($) = 450), the calculator returns: Common guideline: $1,650 (30% of gross income); Landlord limit: $1,833 (Income is 3x rent).
Things to know
Use gross monthly income and include other debt payments such as car loans and student loans. In expensive cities the 30% guideline may not be realistic, so check how much a given rent leaves for savings and debt.