Rent Affordability Calculator
Find the maximum rent you can afford based on income and the 30% rule.
Enter Details
Results
Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 30% rent rule?
The 30% rule says spend no more than 30% of gross monthly income on rent. On a $65,000 salary ($5,417/month gross) that is $1,625/month maximum. This guideline originated in 1969 US housing policy. In high-cost cities many people spend 40-50% — if you must exceed 30%, offset it by cutting other expenses aggressively.
What else should I budget for besides rent?
Total housing costs include: rent, renters insurance ($15-30/month), utilities ($100-200/month), parking if not included, and any pet fees. Many landlords require proof of income at 2.5-3x monthly rent. Factor all these into your housing budget, not just the headline rent number.
Should I rent or buy?
Renting is better when: you plan to move within 3-5 years, the price-to-rent ratio is above 20 (buy price / annual rent), you lack funds for a down payment, or your local market is overvalued. Buying builds equity and provides stability but requires significant upfront costs (3-20% down plus closing costs of 2-5%). Use the rent vs buy calculator for a full comparison.
How much rent you can afford by income: three rules compared
There is no single right number, there are three common rules and they disagree. The 30% rule says rent should be at most 30% of gross income. The 3x rule, which many landlords apply, says gross monthly income must be at least three times the rent, which is the same 33% ceiling from the other side. The 50/30/20 budget allows up to 50% of take-home pay for all needs combined (rent, utilities, groceries, transport, insurance), which usually leaves 25% to 35% of take-home for rent alone.
| Gross annual income | Gross monthly | 30% rule rent | 3x rule (landlord max) | Rent at 25% of take-home* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,000 | $3,000 | $900 | $1,000 | $585 |
| $45,000 | $3,750 | $1,125 | $1,250 | $731 |
| $52,000 | $4,333 | $1,300 | $1,444 | $845 |
| $60,000 | $5,000 | $1,500 | $1,667 | $975 |
| $75,000 | $6,250 | $1,875 | $2,083 | $1,219 |
| $90,000 | $7,500 | $2,250 | $2,500 | $1,463 |
| $120,000 | $10,000 | $3,000 | $3,333 | $1,950 |
*Take-home estimated at 78% of gross (federal tax, FICA and a typical state tax). The 30% rule is based on gross pay, which is why its rent figures are higher.
Worked example: $60,000 a year
Gross monthly income is $5,000. The 30% rule allows $1,500. A landlord using the 3x rule will accept up to $1,667. Take-home after tax is about $3,900, so a $1,500 rent is 38% of what actually arrives in the bank, and a $1,667 rent is 43%. With a $400 car payment and $250 of student loans, $1,500 rent leaves $1,750 for everything else. That is workable in a low cost city and tight in an expensive one. Most budget advice lands between $1,200 and $1,500 for this income.
What the rules leave out
Utilities: $150 to $350 a month in most of the US, more where heating or cooling is heavy. Renters insurance: $15 to $30. Parking, pet rent and amenity fees: $25 to $300. Commute cost, which can swing $200 a month between two apartments. Add these to the rent before applying any rule. A $1,400 apartment with $300 of utilities and a $150 parking space is a $1,850 housing cost, which is 37% of $5,000 gross, not 28%.
When 30% is too much, and when it is fine
At $36,000 a year, 30% is $900, and after taxes and the essentials there is little left, so a lower target or a roommate is the honest answer. At $150,000 a year, 30% is $3,750 and still leaves over $5,000 a month after tax for everything else, so a higher percentage is affordable if savings goals are met. The rule is a reasonable anchor between about $45,000 and $120,000, and a poor one outside that range.
Upfront cash to move in
Expect first month, a security deposit of one month (capped by law in many states), sometimes last month, an application fee of $25 to $75 per adult, and moving costs. On a $1,500 apartment that is $3,000 to $4,500 before the first night. Budget for it separately from the monthly figure the calculator gives.