🔑 Rent Calculator
The classic guideline is that rent should take no more than 30% of gross monthly income. Enter a rent figure and your income to see the exact percentage, the yearly total, and the highest rent that still fits the rule.
The 30% rule is a starting point, not a law. In expensive cities many renters stretch past it, but doing so leaves less room for savings and surprises.
How to use this calculator
Enter a monthly rent and your annual gross income to see the rent as a share of income, the yearly cost, and the highest rent that fits the 30% rule.
- Type the Monthly rent you are considering.
- Enter your Annual gross income before tax.
- Press Calculate to see the affordability breakdown.
- Compare the rent against the 30% maximum shown before signing a lease.
Frequently asked questions
What does the rent calculator tell me?
It shows the rent as a percentage of your gross monthly income, the total rent you would pay in a year, the maximum rent that fits the 30% rule, and the income left over each month after rent.
What is the 30% rule for renting?
It is the common guideline that rent should take no more than 30% of gross monthly income, leaving the rest for taxes, savings, food, transport and everything else.
Can you show an example?
A $1,800 rent on an $80,000 income is 27.0% of monthly income, costs $21,600 a year, and sits under the 30% maximum of $2,000 a month.
Is going over 30% always a bad idea?
Not always, but it squeezes the rest of the budget. In high-cost cities many renters go higher; just make sure savings and an emergency buffer still survive.