Rent calculator
How much rent you can afford on your income, by the common rules.
About this calculator
How much rent can I afford? This rent calculator applies the common rules of thumb to your income and your other monthly costs.
It shows the 30% rule, the 40× income rule many landlords use, and a limit that leaves room for your debts.
How it works
The common guideline is to spend no more than 30% of gross income on rent. Many landlords also want income of 40 times the monthly rent. The calculator takes the lower limit and leaves room for your debts and bills.
Last reviewed:
Worked example
- Gross yearly income: $60,000
- Monthly debt payments: $300
- Utilities and renter’s insurance: $150 a month
Rent you could afford: $1,350 (a month)
Common questions
What is the 30% rule for rent?
Spend no more than 30% of your gross income on rent. On $60,000 a year, that's $1,500 a month.
What is the 40 times rent rule?
Many US landlords want your yearly income to be at least 40 times the monthly rent. For a $1,500 rent, that's $60,000. In France and Spain, landlords often ask for income of about three times the rent.
Should utilities count towards rent?
For budgeting, yes. Electricity, heating, water and internet can add a lot, so the calculator takes them off your rent budget.
The story behind it
Where the idea came from: The 30% rule dates back to US housing policy: from 1981, tenants in federally subsidised housing paid 30% of their income as rent.
The limit started at 25% in 1969 and rose to 30%, and the figure spread from public housing to everyday advice. It's a simple guide, and in expensive cities many people pay more, so a clear budget matters.
Why you can trust this calculator
- It runs in your browser. Nothing you type into it is sent anywhere.
- The method is explained on this page, so you can check it yourself.
- Free to use, with no sign-up.
- Results are estimates, not financial advice.
- Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll look into it.
After 15 years as a mathematics educator, I built CalculStore to give students, teachers, professionals and anyone working with numbers simple, reliable tools.
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