Common question
How much rent can I afford?
A common planning line is about 30% of gross income for rent. This page uses the share you choose, so you can test 30% or another number. Utilities are not included unless they are already inside the rent.
The result is a ceiling from the income you enter. It is not a landlord’s requirement, and it does not know your take-home pay.
About $1,800.00 per month.
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How we calculated this
Suggested rent is gross monthly income multiplied by the share you choose. The 25%, 30%, and 35% rows are there so you can see the band around the common 30% planning rule.
What does this mean?
At 30% of gross income, a planning maximum is $1,800.00 a month before utilities unless they are included in rent.
Your assumptions
Edit assumptions- Annual income
- $72,000
- Monthly debt
- $200.00
- Rent share
- 30%
This calculator provides an estimate for planning. Lease terms, local rules, and landlord requirements may vary.
How the estimate is calculated
Suggested rent is annual income divided by 12, times the share you enter. The page also shows 25%, 30%, and 35% of that same monthly income.
A second line asks how much rent would still leave rent plus the debts you enter at or under 36% of gross monthly income. If the suggested rent plus those debts is over 36%, the page says so.
Open the Rent Affordability Calculator · How this calculator works
Questions
Is 30% a rule?
It is a common planning guideline. A landlord does not have to use it. You can change the share on the calculator.
Should I use take-home pay?
The percent is applied to gross income, before taxes. Your bank account sees a smaller number, so a rent that fits 30% of gross can feel tight.
Do car payments change the rent?
They do not change the percent-of-income line. They do change the 36% check, which subtracts the debts you enter.
Does this include utilities?
No. If utilities are extra, the rent that fits your budget is lower than this number.