Rent Affordability Calculator
Estimate a planning range for monthly rent from gross income, target housing percentage and other monthly obligations.
Enter your values and press Calculate.
Tip: country presets are starting points only. Replace rates and prices with your actual figures whenever possible.
How this calculator works
This planning tool applies your chosen housing percentage to gross monthly income and then reserves the amount you enter for utilities or insurance. It is not a lender or landlord qualification formula.
Formula
At $5,000 gross monthly income and a 30% housing target, the initial housing budget is $1,500. Reserving $250 leaves about $1,250 for rent.
Getting a more accurate result
- Choose a percentage that reflects your actual budget, not a universal rule.
- Include recurring utilities, renters insurance and parking.
- Consider savings goals and irregular expenses before committing to rent.
Understanding your result
The result is intended for comparison and planning. Real-world costs can differ because of local taxes, fees, tariffs, financing, usage patterns, equipment efficiency, rounding and other conditions. For important decisions, verify the inputs against your bill, contract, lender, employer or other authoritative source.
Frequently asked questions
Is 30% a rule?
It is a commonly used budgeting reference, not a universal affordability standard.
Does this guarantee landlord approval?
No. Landlords may use income multiples, credit checks or other criteria.
Should I use gross or net income?
This calculator uses gross income, but a personal budget based on take-home income can be more conservative.
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Updated for CostMeter V1.2 • September 2026