Free tool · for renters
How much rent can I afford?
Two answers in one place: the rent your income comfortably supports, and — the part most calculators skip — whether you'd actually pass a landlord's income screening for a specific apartment.
Your income
That's $5,000/month gross ($60,000/year).
Share of income for rent
The classic guideline is 30% of gross income. Anything above roughly 30% is considered "rent burdened" by HUD; above 50% is "severely rent burdened."
Rent you can afford
$1,500/mo
At 30% of gross income
- 30% of income
- $1,500
- Left after rent & debts
- $3,500
Estimates only — every landlord sets its own screening criteria. Calculated in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Affording rent vs. qualifying for it
These are two different questions, and renters get tripped up by the gap between them. Affording rent is a budgeting question — the 30%-of-gross-income guideline, adjusted for your debt payments and what you need left over each month. Qualifying is a screening question: the landlord applies a hard rule, usually gross monthly income of at least 3× the rent (or annual income of 40× the monthly rent), and you either clear it or you don't.
You can comfortably afford a rent and still fail the screening, or clear the screening on a rent that would leave you stretched. That's why this tool shows both — so you can search for apartments you will actually be approved for.
Budget for the costs beyond rent
Rent is rarely the whole number. Before signing, account for the security deposit (often one month's rent, and capped by state law), any application or pet fees, utilities not included in rent, renters insurance if the lease requires it, and moving costs. If you're moving in partway through a month, the prorated rent calculator works out that first partial payment, and if you're splitting with roommates, the rent split calculator divides it fairly.
Curious how much of a deposit a landlord can legally ask for where you live? See the security deposit limits by state.
Rent affordability FAQ
How much of my income should go to rent?
The common guideline is no more than 30% of gross (pre-tax) income. HUD considers households paying more than 30% of income on housing to be cost burdened, and more than 50% severely cost burdened. In expensive cities many renters exceed 30% by necessity, which is why this calculator lets you model 20% through 45%.
What income do landlords require to rent an apartment?
Most landlords and property managers require gross monthly income of at least 3 times the monthly rent, though some accept 2.5x and stricter buildings ask 3.5x. In New York and some other markets the same test is expressed as annual income of 40 times the monthly rent.
How much do I need to make to afford $2,000 rent?
Under the 30% guideline you'd want roughly $6,667 gross per month ($80,000 a year). To pass a typical 3x-rent landlord screening you'd need at least $6,000 gross per month, or $80,000 a year under the 40x annual rule. Enter your own numbers above to check any rent.
What if my income doesn't meet the landlord's requirement?
Landlords commonly accept alternatives: a co-signer or guarantor, proof of significant savings, several months of rent prepaid where lawful, or a larger security deposit where state law permits it. Deposit limits vary by state — check your state's cap before agreeing to a larger deposit.