How much rent can I afford?
Enter your income and any debts to see a comfortable rent range — not just the flat 30% rule, but a number adjusted for what you actually owe each month.
Rent is just one line of the budget
The MoneyMapped Toolkit slots your rent into a full budget so you can see what is left for savings, debt, and life before you sign a lease.
Why the flat 30% rule isn't enough
Two people with the same salary can afford very different rents. One with a car loan and student debt has far less breathing room than someone debt-free. That is why this calculator checks your rent against the 30% guideline and against your real take-home pay minus debts, then shows you the lower, safer of the two.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my income should go to rent?
A common rule is no more than 30% of your gross (before-tax) income. But if you carry other debt or live somewhere expensive, aiming closer to 25% leaves healthier room for savings and everything else.
Should I use gross or take-home pay?
The classic 30% rule uses gross income, which is what many landlords check. But your budget lives on take-home pay, so this calculator also checks that your rent plus other essentials stay under half your take-home.
What is the 3x rent rule?
Many landlords require your gross monthly income to be at least three times the rent. That is the same as rent being under about 33% of gross income — close to the 30% guideline this calculator uses.
What if I can't find anything in my range?
In high-cost areas the 30% rule often breaks. Options include a roommate, a longer commute, or treating the stretch tier as temporary while you grow your income. Just go in with eyes open about the trade-offs.
MoneyMapped provides educational tools, not financial advice.