Rent Affordability Calculator

About this calculator

This calculator estimates how much rent fits your budget using two widely cited affordability guidelines: the classic 30% rule (spend no more than 30% of gross monthly income on rent, a benchmark that traces back to US federal housing-assistance standards) and the stricter 40% rule some landlords use as a gross-rent-multiplier-style screening cutoff for approving applicants. Entering monthly income shows the maximum rent each rule allows, giving two reference points rather than a single rigid number.

Apartment hunters use this to figure out a realistic price range before touring listings, personal finance advisors use the 30% benchmark when coaching clients on budgeting, and property managers and landlords use the 40% rule (income at least 2.5–3x the rent) when screening rental applications. Anyone comparing job offers in different cities, or deciding whether a lease renewal at a higher rate still fits their budget, uses this calculator to check the math quickly.