What is the 30% rule for rent?

A common guideline is to spend no more than 30% of gross monthly income on rent. This leaves room for other expenses, savings, and debt. In high-cost areas, people sometimes go higher.

How much rent can I afford?

At 30%, if your gross monthly income is $5,000, max rent is $1,500. This calculator lets you change the percentage (e.g. 25% for a conservative budget).

Should I include utilities in the 30%?

The 30% rule often refers to rent only. If your lease includes utilities, that is already in the number. Otherwise, budget separately for utilities.

Rent Calculator (Affordability)

Free rent calculator (affordability). Get instant results — no signup, no account. Plan and compare with confidence.

Use the Rent Calculator (Affordability) below.

Estimate how much rent you can afford based on your income. The 30% rule suggests rent ≤ 30% of gross monthly income. Enter your income and optional % to see max rent.

How to use Rent Calculator (Affordability)

Enter gross monthly income
Income before tax and deductions.
Set rent %
Default 30%; adjust if you use a different rule.
View max rent
See max affordable rent and 25%/30% benchmarks.

Features

Instant results — no waiting or signup.
Free to use — no hidden fees.
No login or account required.
Works on all devices — desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Your data stays private — we do not store your inputs.

Why use this calculator

Plan your finances with accurate estimates.
Compare scenarios in seconds.
Make informed decisions before you borrow or invest.

Supported browsers and devices

All modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
Mobile-friendly — use on phone or tablet.
No app download — runs in your browser.

Frequently asked questions

Complete guide to Rent Calculator (Affordability)

The 30% rule for rent

A common guideline is to spend no more than 30% of your gross monthly income on rent. So if you earn $5,000 per month, max rent would be $1,500. This leaves room for utilities, food, savings, and other debt. In expensive cities, many people exceed 30%; in that case, keep other expenses under control.

Rent affordability at a glance

30% of gross income: standard guideline for max rent.
25%: more conservative; leaves more for savings and emergencies.
Include only rent in the percentage; budget utilities and renters insurance separately unless included in rent.

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Disclaimer

Our financial calculators are for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates based on the inputs you provide and standard formulas. They are not financial, tax, or legal advice. We do not store or share the numbers you enter.