Rent-to-Income Calculator

See what percentage of your gross monthly income goes to rent, compare it with a common 30% reference, and put the ratio in the context of your broader budget.

Quick answer: Rent-to-income ratio = monthly rent ÷ monthly gross income × 100. If rent is $2,000 and gross income is $6,500/month, the ratio is about 30.8%.

Monthly rentMonthly gross incomeUse gross income before income taxes and payroll deductions. This ratio is a planning reference, not a rental-approval rule.

FORMULAMonthly rent ÷ monthly gross income × 100Example: $2,000 ÷ $6,500 × 100 = 30.8%.

Your rent-to-income ratio30.8% of gross income

$2,000monthly rent

$6,500monthly gross income

$24,000annual rent

$78,000annual gross income

30% REFERENCE$1,950 rent/monthAbove 30% of gross income. Review the rest of your budget before deciding what is comfortable. Your entered rent is $50 above that reference.

What is a rent-to-income ratio?

Your rent-to-income ratio shows how much of your gross income is committed to monthly rent. It is useful for quickly comparing housing costs across salaries or apartments, but it does not show your complete financial picture.

Rent-to-income ratio = monthly rent ÷ monthly gross income × 100

Rent-to-income examples

RentGross income / monthRatio

$1,500$5,00030.0%

$2,000$6,50030.8%

$2,500$8,00031.3%

$3,000$10,00030.0%

What does the 30% reference mean?

A 30% gross-income reference means monthly rent equals 30% of gross monthly income. It is a simple planning benchmark, not a universal rule. The same ratio can feel very different depending on taxes, debt, transportation, childcare, food and savings goals.

Rent-to-income vs. 3x and 40x rent

The 3x rent rule expresses the relationship as monthly gross income being three times rent. The 40x rent rule compares monthly rent with annual gross income. A 40× annual-income rule is mathematically equivalent to rent being 30% of gross annual income.

Go beyond one ratio

If you want to account for debt, essential living costs and a savings target, use the Rent Affordability Calculator. If you already know your desired rent and want to work backward, use the Income Needed for Rent Calculator.

Related rent tools

Rent Affordability Calculator →Income Needed for Rent →3x Rent Calculator →40x Rent Calculator →

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate my rent-to-income ratio?

Divide monthly rent by monthly gross income and multiply by 100. For example, $2,000 rent divided by $6,500 gross income is about 30.8%.

Should I use gross or take-home income?

The traditional rent-to-income ratio normally uses gross income before taxes. For personal budgeting, take-home pay can provide additional context because it reflects the cash you actually receive.

Is 30% of income a hard rent limit?

No. Thirty percent is a common planning reference, not a universal affordability or approval rule. Debt, transportation, family costs, savings goals and local housing conditions can materially change what fits a budget.

Does a low rent-to-income ratio guarantee rental approval?

No. Landlords and property managers may use different screening criteria, including income documentation, credit, debt, guarantors and other requirements.

AffordBase provides planning estimates only. This ratio does not determine rental eligibility or approval, and actual housing affordability depends on your full financial situation.