Formula
Affordable rent = income x target rent percentage - estimated utilities. Remaining income subtracts rent, utilities, and debt payments.
Apartment budget calculator
Rent Affordability Calculator
Estimate how much rent may fit your monthly budget based on income, debts, utilities, and a rent-to-income target. Adjust the percentage to match a conservative or flexible budget.
Calculate affordable rent
Affordable base rent
$0
Rent plus utilities
$0
Annual rent budget
$0
Income left after rent, utilities, debt
$0
Example
With $5,000 monthly income, a 30% rent target, $200 utilities, and $400 debt payments, base rent is about $1,300.
Useful for
Apartment hunting, relocation planning, roommate budgeting, lease comparisons, and monthly housing cost checks.
Rent affordability notes
The 30% rule is a guideline, not a guarantee. Your best rent target depends on taxes, debt, savings, insurance, transportation, and local cost of living.
FAQ
Should rent be based on gross or net income?
Many rules use gross income, but net income is more conservative for personal budgeting.
Does this include utilities?
Yes. Utilities are subtracted from the housing budget so the base rent estimate is more realistic.