🏠 Rent Affordability Calculator
See how much rent you can afford by the 30% rule, the 40x landlord rule and a debt-adjusted limit, then check if a specific apartment fits.
Debt payments: car loan, student loans, credit card minimums and other loans. Utilities: electricity, gas, water, internet — whatever the rent does not include.
| Rule | How it works | Max rent |
|---|---|---|
| 30% rule | 30% of gross income, minus utilities | $1,350 |
| 40× rule | Annual income ÷ 40 (landlord screening) | $1,500 |
| Debt-adjusted | 36% of gross income, minus debts and utilities | $1,350 |
Check a specific apartment
What Rent Affordability Calculator Does
This rent affordability calculator answers “how much rent can I afford?” three ways and shows the most cautious answer. The 30% rule keeps rent and utilities at or below 30% of gross income — the line the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development uses to call a household cost-burdened. The 40× rule is what many landlords check: annual income of at least 40 times the monthly rent. The debt-adjusted limit keeps rent, utilities and other debt payments within 36% of gross income.
Enter income per year, per month or per hour, add your monthly debt payments and expected utilities, and the calculator gives each limit. Then type the rent of a specific apartment to see what share of your income it would take and whether you meet a 40× landlord requirement.
How to Use Rent Affordability Calculator
- Enter your gross income per year, month or hour
- Add your monthly debt payments and expected utilities
- Compare the 30% rule, 40x rule and debt-adjusted limits
- Use the lowest figure as a comfortable maximum
- Enter a specific rent to check it against your income
Formula Used by Rent Affordability Calculator
Three limits
30% rule: 0.30 × monthly gross − utilities · 40× rule: annual gross ÷ 40 · Debt-adjusted: 0.36 × monthly gross − debts − utilities
Worked example
$60,000 a year, $300 in debt payments, $150 utilities.
- 30%: $1,500 − $150 = $1,350
- 40×: $60,000 ÷ 40 = $1,500
- Debt-adjusted: $1,800 − $300 − $150 = $1,350
Result: A comfortable maximum of about $1,350 a month.
Rent at 30% of Gross Income
Rent plus utilities; hourly figures assume 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year.
| Income | Monthly gross | Max rent + utilities |
|---|---|---|
| $15/hour ($31,200) | $2,600 | $780 |
| $20/hour ($41,600) | $3,467 | $1,040 |
| $50,000 | $4,167 | $1,250 |
| $75,000 | $6,250 | $1,875 |
| $100,000 | $8,333 | $2,500 |
How to Read Your Result
When 30% does not work
In expensive cities many renters spend well above 30%, and at low incomes even 30% can leave too little for other needs. Treat the rules as starting points: if rent will take more, look for savings elsewhere — a roommate, a longer commute, lower transport costs — and keep an emergency fund.
Meeting a 40× requirement
If your income falls short, landlords may accept a guarantor (often required to earn 80× the rent), a larger deposit where local law allows, proof of savings, or an institutional guarantor service for a fee. Rules on deposits vary by state and city.
Limitations & Accuracy Notes
- Uses gross (pre-tax) income, as landlords and HUD do; take-home pay will be lower.
- Local rules on deposits, fees and screening vary.
- A guideline, not financial advice.