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Calculate affordable rent from income using 30% rule — see max rent, yearly rent and income needed for target rent.
Calculate affordable rent from income using 30% rule — see max rent, yearly rent and income needed for target rent.
Enter values above and click Calculate — results will appear here with the formula explained.
The 30% rule caps rent at 30% of gross monthly income: $60,000 yearly allows $1,500/month ($18,000 yearly). Originating from 1960s public-housing standards and later the 30%-of-income affordability definition, it remains landlords' favorite screen — many require income of 3× rent (equivalent to 33%) or 40× monthly rent yearly.
Gross versus net changes everything: 30% of $60,000 gross is $1,500, but after ~25% taxes take-home is $45,000 and that rent consumes 40% of net. High earners in high-tax states should run the rule on net — 30% of net is the stricter, more honest version — while lower earners face the opposite bind where even 30% gross leaves too little for basics.
Inverting the rule answers 'how much rent can I afford' from either direction: enter income for max rent, or enter a target rent to see required income ($2,000 rent needs $80,000 income at 30%). Roommates divide the rent side: $2,400 split two ways is $1,200 each, affordable on $48,000 individual incomes.
High-cost cities break the rule routinely — coastal renters commonly pay 35–45%. Coping math: add utilities, parking, renter's insurance and pet rent to the listing price before applying 30% (a $1,500 rent with $250 extras is really $1,750), then decide consciously what gets squeezed: savings rate, commute length or space.
Landlord screens beyond income: credit score minimums (often 620–650), eviction history, debt-to-income including the new rent, and 2–3× rent in liquid reserves. A renter passing 30% can still fail on credit — run this calculator plus a credit check before applying anywhere with application fees.
Calculate affordable rent from income using 30% rule — see max rent, yearly rent and income needed for target rent. Formula: Affordable rent = income*0.30/12. Example: With $60,000 income: affordable rent $1,500/month, $18,000/year.
The 30% rule caps rent at 30% of gross monthly income: $60,000 yearly allows $1,500/month ($18,000 yearly). Originating from 1960s public-housing standards and later the 30%-of-income affordability definition, it remains landlords' favorite screen — many require income of 3× rent (equivalent to 33%) or 40× monthly rent yearly.
Gross versus net changes everything: 30% of $60,000 gross is $1,500, but after ~25% taxes take-home is $45,000 and that rent consumes 40% of net. High earners in high-tax states should run the rule on net — 30% of net is the stricter, more honest version — while lower earners face the opposite bind where even 30% gross leaves too little for basics.
Inverting the rule answers 'how much rent can I afford' from either direction: enter income for max rent, or enter a target rent to see required income ($2,000 rent needs $80,000 income at 30%). Roommates divide the rent side: $2,400 split two ways is $1,200 each, affordable on $48,000 individual incomes.
High-cost cities break the rule routinely — coastal renters commonly pay 35–45%. Coping math: add utilities, parking, renter's insurance and pet rent to the listing price before applying 30% (a $1,500 rent with $250 extras is really $1,750), then decide consciously what gets squeezed: savings rate, commute length or space.
Landlord screens beyond income: credit score minimums (often 620–650), eviction history, debt-to-income including the new rent, and 2–3× rent in liquid reserves. A renter passing 30% can still fail on credit — run this calculator plus a credit check before applying anywhere with application fees.
With $60,000 income: affordable rent $1,500/month, $18,000/year. A $2,000 listing needs $80,000 income at 30% — or at $60,000 income it consumes 40% of gross ($2,000×12÷$60,000), the stretch zone where savings must give.
Formulas are standard public references (see our methodology). External standards are cited in the text where they apply.
Last reviewed: September 2026 · Report an error