Money Calculator
Rent Calculator
Figure out how much rent you can comfortably afford.
Car payments, student loans, credit cards, etc. Enter 0 if none.
Recommended max rent
$1,800.00
- Monthly income
- $6,000.00
- Income-rule limit
- $1,800.00
- Debt-adjusted limit
- $1,860.00
How it works
This calculator applies two common budgeting guidelines: spending no more than a target share of your gross (pre-tax) income on rent — 30% is the traditional rule of thumb — and keeping all recurring debt payments, including rent, under 36% of gross income (a standard debt-to-income guideline lenders use). Your recommended maximum is whichever of the two is lower.
These are general guidelines, not hard limits — your actual comfortable rent depends on your other expenses, savings goals, and local cost of living.
Formula
Monthly income = Annual income ÷ 12 Income-rule rent = Monthly income × (Target % ÷ 100) Debt-adjusted rent = (Monthly income × 36%) − Other monthly debts Recommended max rent = the lower of the two
Example
On a $72,000 annual income with $300 in other monthly debts, using the 30% rule: monthly income is $6,000, the income rule allows $1,800, and the debt-adjusted cap allows $1,860 — so the recommended max rent is $1,800 (the income rule is the binding constraint here).
Frequently asked questions
Why 30%?
The 30%-of-income guideline for housing costs dates back to US federal housing policy from the 1980s and remains a common budgeting benchmark, though many renters in high-cost areas spend more.
What counts as 'other monthly debts'?
Recurring obligations like car payments, student loans, credit card minimums, and child support — not everyday variable expenses like groceries or entertainment.
Should I use gross or net income?
This calculator uses gross (pre-tax) income, matching how landlords and the 30%/36% guidelines are typically defined. Your actual take-home budget will be tighter after taxes.
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