Calculate 30 percent of income for rent.

What the 30 percent rule means

The rule says rent should be no more than 30 percent of gross monthly income. For someone earning $6,000 before taxes, that gives a rent estimate of $1,800 per month.

When the rule is too loose

The rule can overstate affordability when take-home pay is low, debt payments are high, utilities are expensive, or the apartment requires a large deposit. Use the homepage calculator to compare this rule with your monthly cash flow.

When the rule is too strict

Some renters choose a higher share when they have no car payment, low debt, strong savings, or a short-term reason to live in a higher-cost location. That is a personal budget decision, not a guarantee that an application will qualify.