Rent to Income Ratio Calculator

It is your monthly rent divided by your gross monthly income, expressed as a percent. A ratio of 25 percent means a quarter of your pre-tax pay goes to rent. Landlords and personal budgets use it as a quick gauge of whether rent is affordable relative to earnings.

It is a long-standing guideline that housing should take no more than 30 percent of gross income. At 5,000 a month that caps rent at 1,500. The tool marks your ratio as Passes at or below 30 percent and Over above it. Treat it as a rule of thumb, not a hard limit.

It is simply your gross monthly income multiplied by 0.30. For an income of 4,000 the cap is 1,200; for 6,000 it is 1,800. That figure is the highest rent that would keep you at or below the 30 percent guideline.

This calculator asks for gross monthly income, meaning pay before taxes and deductions, because that is what most landlords screen on. If you want a stricter, more realistic view of your budget, run the numbers again using your take-home pay in the income field.

Yes. The rule passes when the ratio is at or below 30 percent, so 30.00 percent counts as a pass. A ratio of 30.5 percent would be flagged as Over.

Many landlords want gross income of about three times the rent, which is a ratio near 33 percent or lower. Some are stricter and some in high-cost cities are more flexible, so confirm the exact threshold with the specific landlord or property.

A lower ratio leaves more room for savings, debt payments and everyday costs, which is generally healthier. The right level still depends on your other expenses, your debts and your local cost of living, so a low ratio in an expensive area may still feel tight.

Yes. Enter the total gross monthly income of everyone who will be on the lease. Many landlords assess applicants jointly, so a combined figure often reflects how a rental application is actually judged.

No. Every figure is calculated in your browser and nothing is uploaded or stored, so your rent and income details never leave your device.