Rent Calculator
Work out a rent figure that actually fits your paycheck — pick a rule of thumb or build your own monthly budget, then see the hidden extras and how a roommate changes the math.
COMMON AFFORDABILITY RULES
30%
Standard Rule
3×
Landlord Rule
50/30/20
Budget Rule
25%
Conservative
Income-Based Affordability
Based on income and debt ratios
YOUR INCOME
ADDITIONAL MONTHLY COSTS
ROOMMATES
Max Affordable Rent
$1,650
Annual: $19,800 · Conservative: $1,350
30.3%
Of Income
$19,800
Annual Rent
$18,000/yr
Income Rule
Est. Monthly Housing Total
- 🏠 Rent
- $1,650
- ⚡ Utilities
- $150
- 🛡️ Renters Insurance
- $20
- Total Monthly
- $1,820
Tight — Watch Your Other Spending
You'll likely need to trim other categories to stay comfortable.
Roommate Split Calculator
$1,650
Solo
$825
2 People
$550
3 People
$413
4 People
Monthly Housing Cost Breakdown
Rent Affordability at Different Income Levels
| Annual Income | 30% Rule | 25% Rule | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40k/year | $1,000/mo | $833/mo | Tight |
| $60k/year | $1,500/mo | $1,250/mo | Moderate |
| $80k/year | $2,000/mo | $1,667/mo | Comfortable |
| $100k/year | $2,500/mo | $2,083/mo | Comfortable |
| $120k/year | $3,000/mo | $2,500/mo | Comfortable |
| $150k/year | $3,750/mo | $3,125/mo | Comfortable |
How Much Rent Can You Afford?
There's no single correct rent number — just a range that gets tighter once you account for debt, lifestyle costs, and how much cushion you want. This calculator gives you two ways in: a quick percentage-of-income rule, or a budget you set yourself that we work backward from. Once you have a target, compare it against buying with our house affordability calculator or mortgage calculator.
📐 The 30% Rule, Explained
The most common guideline caps rent at roughly 30% of gross monthly income. On a $60,000 salary that's about $1,500 a month; on $90,000 it's closer to $2,250. Treat it as a sanity check rather than a hard ceiling — your actual comfort zone shifts with debt load, savings goals, and the cost of living in your city.
💡 Hidden Costs of Renting
Base rent is rarely the whole bill. Budget roughly $100-$300/month for utilities, $15-$30/month for renters insurance, $50-$75/month for parking in dense areas, and $25-$75/month per pet if allowed. Add one to two months of rent upfront for a security deposit and moving costs.
🤝 Roommate Strategy
Splitting a $2,400/month unit two ways brings each person's share to $1,200; three ways drops it to $800. Utilities and streaming subscriptions split too, which often matters as much as the rent line itself — use the roommate calculator above to see your exact split instantly.
⚖️ Rent vs Buy, at a Glance
Renting tends to win when you expect to move within a few years, your income is still ramping up, or you haven't saved a down payment. Buying pulls ahead once you plan to stay put for five-plus years and local rents are climbing faster than ownership costs — run both our rent vs buy calculator and house affordability calculator to see which side wins for you.
— FAQ