How Much Rent Can You Afford?

Before you start apartment hunting, it's important to know your budget. Our Rent Affordability Calculator uses your income, debts, and expenses to estimate a safe maximum rent using the 28/36 rule.

Get Started How It Works
Rent illustration
Your Finances
Annual Pre-tax Income ($)
Monthly Debt Payments ($)
Monthly Recurring Expenses ($)
Other Monthly Expenses ($, optional)
Monthly Savings Goal ($, optional)
How This Calculator Works

Our Rent Affordability Calculator estimates the maximum rent you can afford by considering your income, debts, and recurring expenses. It uses the industry "28/36 Rule," meaning:

  • Rent should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income.
  • Total debts (rent plus all other monthly debts/expenses) should not exceed 36% of gross monthly income.

The lower of these two numbers is your safe maximum rent. This helps ensure you have enough left over for savings and other needs.

Tip: If you have high debts or expenses, your affordable rent may be lower than 28% of your income. Reducing debts can increase your rental budget.

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