Rent Affordability Calculator

Estimate how much rent fits your income using three common rules, including the landlord "40× rent" test.

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How this is calculated

Income rule: Rent = Gross monthly income × Share. Landlord "40× rule": Rent = Annual income ÷ 40. Debt-aware rule: Rent = Gross monthly income × 36% − Monthly debts. We suggest staying at or below the lowest of the three.

Assumptions

  • Common rules of thumb (30% of gross income, landlord 40× rent, 36% debt-to-income). Landlords and lenders set their own criteria.

Estimates for planning and education only. Not financial, tax or legal advice, and not an official government calculation. Calculations run in your browser; nothing you enter is stored or sent.

The three rules this calculator uses

  • The 30% guideline. A long-standing rule of thumb is to keep housing at or below 30% of gross income. In high-cost cities that can be hard; treat it as a target, not a rule.
  • The 40× rent rule. Many landlords and property managers require gross annual income of at least 40 times the monthly rent. At $60,000 a year, that is $1,500 a month.
  • The debt-aware limit. Rent plus monthly debt payments at or below about 36% of gross income leaves room for everything else.

We suggest the lower of the 30% rule and the debt-aware limit as your comfortable maximum.

Don’t forget the costs around rent

Utilities, internet, renter’s insurance, parking and pet rent can add hundreds of dollars a month. Before you sign, ask the landlord what tenants typically pay for utilities, then plug everything into the monthly budget calculator. Our bills & utilities guides explain how to estimate each one.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 30% rule based on gross or take-home pay?

Gross pay (before taxes). Because take-home pay is lower, 30% of gross can feel like 35–40% of what actually reaches your bank account.

What if I don't meet the 40× requirement?

Landlords may accept a co-signer or guarantor, a larger security deposit where allowed by law, or proof of savings. Ask before you apply, since application fees are often non-refundable.

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