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Enter your income and see the rent range you can actually afford, with landlord approval checks. Free, no signup.

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Rent Affordability Calculator — How Much Rent Can You Afford?

Do not guess your rent budget — and do not get rejected by a landlord screening. Enter your gross income and monthly bills to see your affordable range under the 30% rule, the 3x income check, and the 40x annual check, all at once.

Your numbers

$

Your pay before taxes. For two earners, add both gross incomes together.

$

Car loans, student loans, credit card minimums, and similar fixed payments.

$

Electric, gas, water, internet, and trash — costs that ride on top of rent.

$

Enter a rent you are considering to check it against every rule.

Your affordable rent range
$1,800 – $2,000 / month
Comfortable target $1,800 after bills, up to a $2,000 stretch ceiling that still passes a landlord income check.
30% rule max
$1,800
30% of gross monthly income — the classic affordability guideline
3x income check
$2,000
Gross monthly income divided by 3 — the most common landlord test
40x annual check
$1,800
Annual income divided by 40 — the standard test in New York City
Landlord-proof max
$1,800
The stricter of the two landlord checks — passes both screenings
After utilities and debts
$1,800
30% max minus your utilities and debt payments — the comfortable target
Annual rent at target
$21,600
12 months at your comfortable target, for yearly budgeting
How to use the range: aim for the comfortable target so rent plus bills stays near 30% of income. The stretch ceiling is the most a landlord using the 3x check would approve — livable, but tighter month to month. Never sign above the landlord-proof max unless you can document extra income or savings.
100% private

Your income and debts never leave your browser. No data is uploaded, stored, or shared.

No signup

No account, no email, no credit check. Enter your numbers and get your range instantly.

Free forever

Unlimited affordability checks for every apartment you consider — free, no limits.

How to use the rent affordability calculator

  1. 1Enter gross monthly income

    Use pay before taxes, not take-home pay. Landlords screen on gross income, so this is the number that decides approvals.

  2. 2Add debts and utilities

    Enter fixed monthly debt payments and estimated utilities. These shrink your comfortable target even when a landlord would approve more.

  3. 3Read your range, not one number

    The comfortable target keeps housing near 30% of income. The stretch ceiling is the most a 3x-check landlord would approve. Stay inside the range.

  4. 4Test a listing before you apply

    Enter any asking rent to see instantly whether it passes the 30% rule, the 3x check, and the 40x check — before you pay an application fee.

Why renters use this calculator

Three rules, one answer

Most calculators show only the 30% rule. This one also runs both landlord screening tests, so you know what you can afford and what will actually get approved.

A range, not a single figure

Real budgets have wiggle room. The comfortable-to-stretch range separates "safe every month" from "approved but tight."

Bills included

Utilities and debt payments come out of the same paycheck as rent. Subtracting them gives a target you can actually live on.

Listing checker built in

Paste in any asking rent to get a pass-or-fail verdict against every rule, so you skip application fees on places you would not clear.

US rules, US dollars

Uses the 30%, 3x, and 40x standards American landlords and property managers actually apply, in USD.

Works on your phone

Run the numbers while standing in an apartment viewing — fully responsive and instant.

Rent affordability FAQs

What is the 30% rule for rent?
The 30% rule says housing costs should stay at or below 30% of gross monthly income. On $6,000 a month gross, that is $1,800. It is a budgeting guideline, not a law, but it is the standard most financial advisors use.
What is the 3x rent rule landlords use?
Many US landlords require gross monthly income at least 3 times the monthly rent. On $6,000 a month gross, you pass the check for rents up to $2,000. Failing this check is the most common reason rental applications are denied.
What is the 40x rent rule?
The 40x rule requires annual gross income at least 40 times the monthly rent. It is the standard screening test in New York City and some other large markets. On $72,000 a year, it caps rent at $1,800.
How much rent can I afford on $6,000 a month?
On $6,000 gross monthly income, the 30% rule gives $1,800, the 3x check allows up to $2,000, and the 40x check allows up to $1,800. Your comfortable range is $1,800 to $2,000 before utilities and debts, and lower once bills are subtracted.
Should I use gross or net income for rent affordability?
Use gross income (before tax). Landlords screen on gross income, and the 30%, 3x, and 40x rules are all defined on gross figures. Using net pay would understate what you can be approved for.
Do utilities count toward the 30% rule?
Strictly, the 30% rule covers housing costs including utilities. That is why this calculator subtracts your estimated utilities from the 30% figure to give a comfortable rent target — a $1,800 rent plus $200 in utilities is really $2,000 of housing cost.
What if my rent is over 30% of my income?
Many renters in expensive cities pay 35% to 50%. It is workable if other costs are low and income is stable, but it leaves less room for savings and emergencies, and some landlords will still deny the application on the 3x or 40x check. The calculator shows exactly which rules a given rent passes or fails.

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