Rent Affordability Calculator

How much should I spend on rent?

There's no single answer that works for everyone, but most financial guidance recommends keeping rent at or below 30% of your income. The right number for you depends on your earnings and lifestyle — so think about your monthly take-home pay and weigh it against recurring costs like groceries, transportation, student debt, or medical expenses.

How to calculate monthly rent based on income

Most landlords look for tenants who spend no more than 30% of their gross income on rent. A practical way to start: figure out 30% of your monthly pre-tax earnings. For instance, earning $60,000 a year means roughly $5,000 per month before taxes — so keeping rent under $1,500 gives you a solid cushion before accounting for savings or other recurring costs.

From there, layer in your monthly obligations and savings targets. If the total pushes past your overall budget, you may need to adjust how much you're comfortable spending on rent. Other things worth factoring in: your location, household size, existing debt, expected utility costs, and day-to-day lifestyle. Running the full numbers before signing a lease puts you in a much stronger position to find a rent that won't stretch you thin.