About this tool
Rent Affordability Calculator is a free, in-browser tool that turns your annual gross income into a maximum affordable monthly rent using the classic percent-of-income rule (30% by default, fully adjustable). Everything runs locally — no data leaves your device.
It also works the rule in reverse: enter a rent you are considering and it shows the annual income needed to afford it (rent × 12 ÷ rule %), plus the common landlord screening check that monthly income should be at least 3× the rent.
Use it to set a budget before apartment hunting, sanity-check a listing against your salary, or see what income a specific rent implicitly requires.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the 30% rule come from?
It is a long-standing housing guideline: spending more than 30% of gross income on housing is considered cost-burdened. It is a rule of thumb, not a law — adjust the percentage to fit high-cost cities or a more frugal target.
What is the 3x rent check?
Many landlords and agencies require gross monthly income of at least three times the rent (equivalent to rent being about 33% of income). The tool compares your monthly income against 3× the rent you entered and shows pass or fail.
Is the income gross or after tax?
Both the percent rule and the 3x check conventionally use gross (pre-tax) income, so enter your annual salary before deductions. If you prefer a net-income budget, enter net income and lower the percentage accordingly.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The calculator is 100% client-side — your income and rent figures are processed in your browser and never sent anywhere.