Rent Affordability Calculator
Enter your income and monthly debt payments. The calculator shows your affordable rent range under the classic 30% rule and the 50/30/20 budget, plus the income landlords will require.
| Comfortable range | — |
| Conservative (after debts) | — |
| Landlord income check (rent × 40) | — |
The 30% rule
Affordable rent = Gross monthly income × 0.30
The guideline dates back to US housing policy: spending more than 30% of gross income on housing counts as "cost-burdened." On $65,000/year ($5,417/month), that caps rent at about $1,625.
Why landlords use 40×
Many landlords require annual income of at least 40 times the monthly rent (equivalent to rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Earning $65,000 qualifies you for apartments up to about $1,625/month. Falling short usually means a guarantor or a larger deposit.
When 30% is too much
The rule ignores your debts, location, and goals. With $300/month of debt payments, a conservative approach applies the 30% to income after debts. In high-cost cities, many renters exceed 30% out of necessity — the key is knowing you're doing it and compensating elsewhere in the budget (see the 50/30/20 breakdown: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings — rent must fit inside the 50% "needs" bucket alongside food, utilities, and insurance).
Total cost of renting
Budget beyond base rent: renters insurance (~$15–30/month), utilities ($100–250), parking, and annual rent increases of 3–5%. A $1,600 apartment usually costs $1,750–1,900 to actually live in.
Frequently asked questions
How much rent can I afford on $65,000 a year?
By the 30% rule, up to about $1,625 per month. A comfortable range is $1,350–1,625, less if you carry significant debt payments.
What is the 40x rent rule?
Many landlords require your annual gross income to be at least 40 times the monthly rent. For a $1,500 apartment you would need to show $60,000 per year in income.
Is the 30% rule before or after taxes?
Before taxes (gross income). That is also how landlords screen. Some budgeters prefer using after-tax income for a more conservative number.
What if rent in my city exceeds 30% of my income?
Common in high-cost metros. Options: roommates, a longer commute, negotiating lease length for a discount, or consciously cutting the "wants" category to keep saving. The danger is exceeding 30% without adjusting anything else.
All Everyday Money calculators
50/30/20 Budget · Bill Split · Cash Back vs Points · Christmas Budget · Cost Per Wear · Discount · Electricity Cost · Foreign Transaction Fee · Gas Cost · Grocery Budget · Habit Cost · Per Diem · Percentage · Price Per Square Foot · Rent Split by Room · Sales Tax · Subscription Cost · Tip · Tip Pooling · Trip Budget · Unit Price · VAT · Wedding Budget · Zakat
Last updated: 2026-07-07