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Rent Affordability Calculator

Calculate how much rent you can afford

Recommended Max Rent

$1750

Standard (30%)

$1500

Conservative (25%)

$1250

The 30% Rule

Most experts recommend spending no more than 30% of gross income on rent

$
$

Car loans, student loans, credit cards, etc.

$
$
Conservative
$1250
25%
Standard
$1500
30%
Stretch
$1750
35%
Recommended Max
$1750
35% of income (low debts)

Rent as % of Income

Rent (30% rule)30%
Rent (30%)$1,500
Debt Payments$400
Utilities$150
Remaining$2,450

Monthly Budget at 30%

Monthly Income$5000
Rent (30%)-$1500
Debt Payments-$400
Utilities-$150
Savings Goal-$500
Remaining$2450

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

What is the 30% rule for rent?

The 30% rule states you should spend no more than 30% of your gross monthly income on rent. For a $60,000 salary ($5,000/month), max rent should be $1,500. This leaves money for other expenses and savings.

Q

Should I use gross or net income?

The 30% rule traditionally uses gross (pre-tax) income. However, using net (take-home) income is more conservative and realistic. If using net income, some experts recommend 25-28% instead.

Q

What if I have high debt payments?

If debt payments exceed 20% of income, consider the 25% rule for rent instead. Your total housing + debt payments should stay below 40-45% of gross income to maintain financial flexibility.

Q

Do landlords use the same calculation?

Many landlords require income of 2.5-3x the monthly rent (equivalent to 33-40% of income). They verify with pay stubs and may be flexible with co-signers or larger deposits.

Q

What expenses should I budget beyond rent?

Beyond rent, budget for: utilities ($100-300), renter's insurance ($15-30), internet ($50-100), parking ($0-200), and potential move-in costs (first/last month, security deposit).

Q

Is the 30% rule outdated?

The 30% rule dates from 1981 and may not fit expensive markets. In high-cost cities, many renters spend 40-50% on housing. Consider your total budget, savings goals, and lifestyle needs.

Example Calculations

1Low-Debt Earner with $60,000 Salary

Inputs

Annual Income (Gross)$60,000
Monthly Debt Payments$400
Utilities (Monthly)$150
Savings Goal$500

Result

Recommended Maximum Rent$1,750
Monthly Income$5,000
Conservative (25%)$1,250
Standard (30%)$1,500
Stretch (35%)$1,750
Remaining after 30% Rent$2,450

Monthly income is $60,000 / 12 = $5,000. With a debt-to-income ratio of only 8% and savings goal below 15% of income, the calculator recommends up to 35% of income ($1,750/month). At the standard 30% ($1,500), you would have $5,000 - $1,500 - $400 - $150 - $500 = $2,450 remaining for other expenses.

2Moderate-Debt Earner with $85,000 Salary

Inputs

Annual Income (Gross)$85,000
Monthly Debt Payments$1,200
Utilities (Monthly)$200
Savings Goal$600

Result

Recommended Maximum Rent$2,125
Monthly Income$7,083
Conservative (25%)$1,771
Standard (30%)$2,125
Stretch (35%)$2,479
Remaining after 30% Rent$2,958

Monthly income is $85,000 / 12 = $7,083. The debt-to-income ratio is ($1,200 / $7,083) = 16.9%, which falls in the moderate range (between 10% and 20%), so the calculator recommends the standard 30% rule. Max rent at 30% is $7,083 × 0.30 = $2,125. After paying rent, debts, utilities, and savings, $2,958 remains for other expenses.

Formulas Used

Monthly Income

Monthly Income = Annual Income / 12

Converts gross annual income to monthly income.

Where:

Annual Income= Your gross yearly salary before taxes

30% Rule (Standard Rent)

Max Rent (30%) = Monthly Income × 0.30

The standard guideline recommending no more than 30% of gross monthly income on rent.

Where:

Monthly Income= Gross monthly income (Annual Income / 12)

Remaining After Rent

Remaining = Monthly Income - Rent - Debts - Utilities - Savings Goal

Calculates how much money remains after paying rent and other obligations.

Where:

Rent= Monthly rent amount (at chosen percentage)
Debts= Total monthly debt payments
Utilities= Monthly utility costs
Savings Goal= Monthly savings target

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Last Updated: Feb 12, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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