Find your affordable monthly rent from your income, and check it against the tests landlords actually apply.
What this calculator does
The 30% rule is the common starting point: no more than 30% of gross income on rent. It is a guideline rather than a law of nature — in expensive cities many people pay more, and in cheaper ones a lower share leaves useful room.
Landlords apply their own tests, most often requiring annual income of at least 40 times the monthly rent, or monthly income of three times the rent. Both are shown so you can see what you would actually qualify for.
Worked example
On the values this calculator opens with, the affordable rent is $1,550. Underneath, Gross monthly income comes out at $5,166.67 and Landlord 40× annual test at $1,550 per month. Change any field and every figure updates as you type.
Step by step
- Enter your gross annual income.
- Add monthly debt payments and other housing costs.
- Choose which affordability rule to apply.