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Rent Calculator – How Much Rent Can I Afford?
How much rent you can afford from your income and debts, by the 30% rule, the 40× landlord rule and a budget.
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How much rent can I afford? This rent calculator answers with the rules landlords and budget planners actually use: the 30% rule, the 40× income rule, a 36% debt limit and a 50/30/20 budget. Enter your income and debts to get a recommended maximum rent, or enter a rent to see the income you need for it.
How to Use the Rent Calculator
- Enter your gross income (before taxes) per year, month or hour.
- Enter your monthly debt payments – car loan, student loans, credit card minimums.
- Enter utilities and renter's insurance if they are not included in the rent.
- Optionally enter a rent you're considering to see how it measures up.
The Rent Affordability Rules
- 30% rule: spend no more than 30% of gross monthly income on rent. HUD considers households paying more than 30% "cost-burdened".
- 40× rule: many landlords require yearly income of at least 40 times the monthly rent (some use 3× monthly income, which is 36×).
- 36% debt rule: rent plus debt payments under 36% of gross income leaves room for other costs.
- 50/30/20 budget: needs (rent, utilities, minimum debt payments, groceries) take up to 50% of take-home pay, wants 30% and savings 20%.
Example: on $60,000 a year ($5,000 a month), the 30% rule and the 40× rule both give $1,500 a month. With $300 of debt payments, rent plus debt stays at 36% ($1,800) at the same $1,500. The 50/30/20 budget, after about 22% for taxes and $200 for utilities, suggests about $1,450.
Income Needed for Common Rents
| Monthly rent | Income at 30% | Income at 40× |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| $1,500 | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| $2,000 | $80,000 | $80,000 |
| $2,500 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| $3,000 | $120,000 | $120,000 |
The 30% rule and the 40× rule give exactly the same answer: 30% of yearly income spread over 12 months is income ÷ 40. Landlords that use 3× monthly rent (36×) are slightly less strict.
Upfront Costs of Renting
- Security deposit: often one month's rent; some states cap it.
- First month's rent (and sometimes the last) at signing.
- Application and broker fees in some cities.
- Moving costs and setting up utilities and internet.
If Rent Is Too High
In expensive cities many people pay more than 30%. To make it work, consider a roommate, a co-signer or guarantor if you don't meet the 40× rule, a longer lease in exchange for a lower rate, or paying down debts first. Thinking about buying instead? Compare with the home affordability calculator.
Sources
- CFPB – Buying a house: compare renting and buying
- U.S. Census Bureau – Housing cost burden (American Community Survey)
Last reviewed: October 2026 by the ShrinkBee team. Results are estimates for planning and education, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice.
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