Find how much rent you can afford based on your income using the 30% rule, plus a debt-aware estimate. Enter your monthly income and debts for an instant, validated recommendation.
How much rent can I afford?
The most common guideline is the 30% rule: spend no more than 30% of your gross (pre-tax) monthly income on rent. If you earn $5,000 per month, that's a $1,500 maximum. Many landlords use a related rule — requiring that your annual income be at least 40× the monthly rent (the "40x rule"), which works out to about the same 30% threshold.
The 30% rule is a starting point, not a hard limit. In high-cost cities many people spend 35–50% (becoming "rent-burdened"), while aggressive savers target 20–25%. A smarter check factors in your other debts: the 36% rule says total monthly debt payments, including rent, shouldn't exceed 36% of gross income. This calculator shows both the straight percentage recommendation and a debt-aware maximum so you can budget realistically.
Max rent = 30% of gross monthly income. A widely used affordability benchmark for budgeting and landlord screening.
Total debts plus rent should stay under 36% of gross income. The debt-aware figure subtracts your existing monthly debt payments.
In expensive metros, 30% may be unrealistic. Spending over ~30% makes you "rent-burdened" — fine short-term, but watch your savings rate.
Many landlords require annual income ≥ 40× monthly rent (e.g., $60,000/yr qualifies for $1,500 rent). That mirrors the 30% guideline.