Step 1
Enter monthly income
Add your monthly take-home pay and any reliable recurring income you can use for rent.
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Rent affordability calculator
Free Rent Calculator
A rent calculator estimates an affordable monthly rent by comparing your income, fixed expenses, savings goals, utilities, and target rent-to-income ratio.
Use it before touring apartments, renewing a lease, or deciding whether a monthly rent payment leaves enough room for debt payoff, savings, and normal life.
30%
Common rent-to-income starting point
2 caps
Ratio limit and cash-flow limit
$0
Free, private, and no signup required
Calculator
Rent budget inputs
Result
You can target about $1,560 in monthly rent.
This recommendation uses the lower of your selected rent-to-income guideline and your available monthly cash flow after fixed obligations.
Comfortable buffer
Recommended rent
$1,560
30% of monthly income
Total housing cost
$1,820
35% including utilities and insurance
Cash-flow cap
$3,590
Income left after fixed obligations.
Monthly buffer
$2,030
Remaining after rent, utilities, debt, savings, and cushion.
Why this number
Ratio-based rent$1,560
Cash-flow rent$3,590
The safer rent budget is the lower cap. A lease can pass the 30 percent rule and still feel expensive if debt, utilities, or savings goals are already taking up monthly cash.
Before you sign
Ask the landlord which utilities are included, whether there are move-in fees, parking charges, pet fees, or required renter insurance, and whether rent can increase during renewal.
Security deposit
Application fees
Parking or storage
Pet rent and deposits
Internet and trash
Renewal increase rules
How to use it
Calculate rent affordability in four steps
The tool compares a simple rent guideline with the actual monthly cash you have available.
Step 2
Add fixed obligations
Include debt payments, savings goals, estimated utilities, renter insurance, and a small monthly cushion.
Step 3
Choose a rent-to-income target
Use 30 percent as a starting point, then adjust the target for your local market and comfort level.
Step 4
Compare the rent limits
Review both the rule-based rent and cash-flow rent, then use the lower number as the safer budget.
FAQ
Common rent calculator questions
Quick answers about rent-to-income ratios, utility estimates, and lease budgeting.
What is a rent calculator?
A rent calculator estimates how much monthly rent may fit your budget based on income, debts, savings goals, utilities, insurance, and a target rent-to-income ratio.
How much of my income should go to rent?
A common guideline is to keep rent near 30 percent of gross monthly income, but the right number depends on debt, savings goals, utilities, and other fixed expenses.
Should utilities count in my rent budget?
Yes. Utilities, renter insurance, parking, pet fees, and required monthly charges should be treated as housing costs so the rent number does not crowd out the rest of your budget.
Is the 30 percent rent rule always safe?
No. The 30 percent rule can be too high if you carry debt, live in a high-cost area, or need aggressive savings. Compare the rule-based rent with your cash-flow limit.
What should I do if my target rent is too high?
Look for a lower rent, reduce fixed expenses, add a roommate, increase income, or adjust nonessential spending before signing a lease.
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