Free calculator
How much rent can I afford?
Free rent affordability calculator. Check your rent budget against the 30% rule, the landlord 40× rule and a 36% debt-to-income limit, and get one comfortable target.
Three common rent rules
There's no single "right" rent, so this calculator checks three rules people and landlords actually use, then shows the lowest result as your comfortable target.
- The 30% rule. Spend no more than 30% of your gross (pre-tax) monthly income on rent. It's the classic guideline, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development uses 30% of income as its benchmark for housing being "cost burdened."
- The 40× rule. Many landlords require your yearly gross income to be at least 40 times the monthly rent. On $52,000 a year, that's a maximum of $1,300. Fail this and you may need a co-signer.
- A 36% debt-to-income limit. Rent plus all your other monthly debt payments should stay under about 36% of gross income. This catches the case where rent alone looks fine but a car payment and student loans make it too tight.
Why the lowest number is the safe one
Each rule catches a different problem. Rent can pass the 30% rule and still fail because of debts, or pass your own budget but fail a landlord's screening. Using the lowest result means you pass all three. In expensive cities many people pay more than 30%, and sometimes that's unavoidable. Just know it leaves less room for savings and surprises.
Don't forget the rest of housing costs
Rent is only part of it. Budget for:
- utilities (electric, water, internet), often $150 to $300 a month;
- renter's insurance, usually cheap but sometimes required;
- move-in money: application fees, the security deposit, first month's rent, and sometimes last month's too;
- moving costs and anything you need for the new place.
Check it against your real budget
Rules of thumb use gross income, but you pay rent from take-home pay. Before you sign a lease, plug the new rent into a real budget alongside your bills, spending and savings. The Money Reset Bundle includes a Biweekly Paycheck Budget that shows whether each paycheck can carry the new rent, plus debt and savings trackers for the rest of your plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 30% rule based on gross or net income?
Gross, meaning before taxes. That's why it can feel too high. 30% of take-home pay is a more conservative check.
How much rent can I afford on $50,000 a year?
About $1,250 a month under both the 30% rule and the 40× rule, less if you have significant monthly debt payments.
What if I can't find rent under 30%?
Many renters pay more. Keep the gap as small as you can, consider a roommate, and cut elsewhere so savings don't stop.
Is anything I type saved?
No. The calculator runs in your browser and nothing is stored or sent.
This calculator is general educational information, not financial advice. See our disclaimer.