Rent affordability calculator
See how much rent fits an income under three common rules of thumb, for renters budgeting a move and landlords setting expectations.
Rent that passes every test
$1,760
- Monthly income
- $6,000
- By share of income
- $1,800
- By income multiple
- $2,000
- After debts
- $1,760
How this is calculated
- 1By share of income = monthly income × rent share.
- 2By income multiple = monthly income ÷ the multiple.
- 3After debts = monthly income × the rent-plus-debts share − monthly debts.
- 4Rent that passes every test = the lowest of the three.
These are rules of thumb, not a budget or a credit decision. Taxes, savings goals and the cost of living where you are all matter.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the 30% rule?
- A rule of thumb that rent should take no more than 30% of income before tax. It's a starting point: it can be too much on a tight budget, or too strict in expensive cities.
- What is the 3x income rule?
- Many landlords ask for monthly income of about three times the rent. Requirements vary by landlord, and some places limit how income can be screened.
- Can landlords use this to screen tenants?
- It can help set expectations, but screening rules vary by state and city, and fair housing laws apply. In some places, landlords must also count housing vouchers as income.