United States · Housing
How much rent can I afford?
Enter your annual income and monthly debts to compare the common rent affordability rules side by side.
The usual benchmark is 30% of gross income. Landlords often apply a different test: annual income of 40 times the monthly rent, or monthly income of 3 times the rent.
Your income
Affordable rent
The four rules, side by side
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| 30% of gross income | Rent plus utilities at or below 30% of gross monthly income | The long-standing federal affordability standard; housing costs above 30% of income are called cost burden by HUD |
| 40x rent | Annual income of at least 40 times the monthly rent | Landlord and broker screening convention, especially in large cities |
| 3x rent | Gross monthly income of at least 3 times the rent | Common landlord screening standard outside the largest cities |
| 36% debt ratio | Rent plus other debts at or below 36% of gross income | A conventional lending guideline, used here as a safety check |
The 40x and 3x tests are landlord policies, not laws, and they differ from 30%: 40x works out to 30% of income for the rent (annual income ÷ 40 is 30% of the monthly figure), while 3x works out to 33%. The calculator shows all of them so you know which one a given landlord is likely to apply.
Worked example
With $72,000 of gross income ($6,000 a month), the 30% rule gives $1,800 a month, the 40x test gives $1,800, and the 3x test allows $2,000. With $400 of monthly debt payments, keeping total housing plus debt at 36% leaves $1,760 for rent. On $48,000 with no debts the same rules give $1,200, $1,200 and $1,333. The lowest of the three landlord-style figures is the number most likely to hold up when you apply.
Using the number
- Include utilities and fees. If utilities, parking, pet rent and renters insurance are extra, subtract them from the figure to get the advertised rent you can target; the 30%-all-in line in the result does this with the utility estimate you entered.
- Gross versus take-home. All the rules use gross income. If you want rent no higher than a third of take-home pay, use your net figure instead.
- If you fall short. Landlords often accept a larger deposit, a guarantor (typically with income of 80 times the rent in the largest cities) or proof of savings. Ask before assuming the rule is fixed.
- Local costs. In many metro areas the median rent already exceeds 30% of the median income; the rules are a guide to your budget, not a promise that listings exist at that price.
What this tool does not cover
Credit and eligibility checks, state limits on deposits and screening, and fees such as application and move-in charges. Rules and thresholds vary by landlord and city.
Common mix-ups
Applying the 30% rule to take-home pay instead of gross income; treating the landlord's 40x or 3x screening test as a law; and forgetting that utilities, parking and pet rent can sit on top of the advertised rent.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 30% rule for rent?
It says housing should cost no more than 30% of gross income. HUD treats households paying more than that as cost burdened.
What is the 40x rent rule?
Landlords commonly require annual income of at least 40 times the monthly rent. For $2,000 rent that is $80,000 a year.
Is the 3x rule the same as the 30% rule?
Nearly. Three times the rent is a rent of 33% of gross monthly income, a little higher than 30%, so the 3x test is slightly more lenient.
Should I use gross or net income?
Landlords almost always screen on gross income. For your own budget, many people also check that rent stays under about a third of take-home pay.
How do I qualify if my income is too low?
Offer a guarantor, a larger security deposit where state law allows it, or proof of savings, or look for landlords who set a lower multiple.
Sources
- HUD User, Glossary of housing terms (cost burden) — households paying more than 30% of income on housing are cost burdened (retrieved 2026-11)
Last updated November 8, 2026. Tax-law figures are for tax year 2026.
Estimate only
This is an educational calculation, not tax, legal or investment advice. Your plan, lender, employer or tax professional has the final numbers.