Rent Affordability Calculator
Turn your gross income into a comfortable rent ceiling with the 30% rule — plus a conservative 28% figure and what’s left over each month.
Recommended rent ceiling
Based on a gross monthly income of 5,000. The 30% rule is a widely used guideline; 28% is the more conservative figure many lenders prefer once other debts are counted.
Setting a rent budget that actually holds
Housing is usually the biggest line in a budget, so where you set the rent ceiling shapes everything else — savings, eating out, hobbies, and how much slack you have if income dips. The 30% rule is popular because it’s simple and it works for a lot of people: keep rent to roughly a third of gross income and the rest of the budget tends to breathe.
It’s a guideline, not a law. A city loft with everything on the doorstep might justify stretching a little; heavy debts or an unpredictable income argue for the cautious 28%. Use the figures here as anchors, then sanity-check them against your real monthly outgoings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 30% rule for rent?
The 30% rule is a long-standing budgeting guideline that says your rent should be at or below 30% of your gross (pre-tax) income. On a $5,000 monthly income that's $1,500. It's a starting point, not a hard limit — your other costs matter too.
Why does the calculator also show 28%?
28% is the more conservative housing figure many lenders and budgeters prefer, especially once other debts, high living costs, or an expensive city are in play. Showing both gives you a comfortable ceiling and a cautious one.
Should I use gross or net income?
The 30% and 28% rules are traditionally applied to gross (before-tax) income, which is what this calculator expects. If your take-home pay is much lower than your gross — because of tax, pension, or benefit deductions — lean toward the 28% figure or set your own limit.
Does 'rent' include bills and utilities?
The rule is about rent itself, but a smart budget treats housing as a whole. If your rent includes heating, water, or service charges, you have more headroom; if bills are on top, keep your rent below the ceiling so the total still fits.
Is a higher rent ever justified?
Sometimes — a shorter commute, no car, or included utilities can make a pricier flat cheaper overall. The calculator gives you the conventional benchmark; whether to stretch past it is a personal call based on your full budget.
Estimates for planning — not professional real-estate, architecture, or financial advice. Your own budget, debts, and local costs should guide the final figure.