UtilityBaseCalculators
Rent Affordability Calculator
Find how much rent you can afford from your income and debts, using the 30% and 28/36 rules.
Updated July 10, 2026
How to use the rent affordability calculator
- 1Enter your gross income (monthly or annual).
- 2Add your monthly debt payments.
- 3Set the number of renters to split the target.
- 4Read your recommended rent range.
Common uses
- Setting a realistic apartment budget
- Checking if a rent is affordable
- Splitting rent with roommates
- Planning a move to a new city
Frequently asked questions
How much of my income should go to rent?
The common guideline is no more than 30% of your gross monthly income. On $5,000 a month, that's about $1,500. A more cautious rule uses 28%, and expensive cities often push people higher.
How does my debt affect what I can afford?
The 28/36 rule says your rent plus other monthly debt payments should stay under 36% of your income. So the more debt you carry, the lower your recommended rent — this calculator adjusts for that.
Is the 30% rule a hard limit?
No, it's a rule of thumb. Higher earners can often spend a smaller share comfortably, while in costly areas many people spend more. Use it as a starting point, not an absolute cap.
About this tool
The rent affordability calculator estimates a sensible rent budget from your income. It applies the common 30% rule, a more conservative 28%, and the 28/36 rule that factors in your existing debt payments, so higher debt lowers the recommended rent. Enter monthly or annual income, and split the target across roommates if you're sharing. These are guidelines, not hard limits. Everything is calculated in your browser.
Like most tools on UtilityBase, the rent affordability calculator runs entirely in your browser — nothing you enter is uploaded or stored on a server. It's free to use with no account required. Browse more calculators here.
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