Rent Affordability Calculator

Landlords usually screen applicants against a rent-to-income threshold, and most household budgets break down when housing takes too large a share of take-home pay. This calculator estimates a comfortable monthly rent range from your income, existing debt payments, and the share of income you are willing to spend on housing.

Your numbers

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$

Before taxes, all household earners combined.

$
%

30% is the traditional benchmark; 25% is conservative.

Estimated affordable rent

$1,600

Based on 30% of gross income, after debt payments.

Gross monthly income
$6,500
Conservative (25%)
$1,275
Stretch (35%)
$1,925
Income typically required by landlordsMany landlords require 40x monthly rent in annual income.
$5,333

Breakdown

Conservative$1,275
Your target$1,600
Stretch$1,925

What this means

At 30% of a $6,500 gross monthly income, roughly $1,950 is available for housing. Subtracting $350 of monthly debt payments leaves about $1,600 for rent.

Renting above the conservative band is common in high-cost metros, but it leaves less room for utilities, savings, and unexpected costs. These figures are estimates, not a lending or leasing decision.

How this calculation works

  • Your target rent is your gross monthly income multiplied by the share of income you choose (30% is the common benchmark).
  • Monthly debt payments are subtracted, because most landlords and budgets treat debt and rent as competing claims on the same income.
  • The result is an estimate. Utilities, commuting, insurance, and savings goals all change what is actually comfortable for you.

All results are estimates based on the assumptions you enter. RE View does not provide financial, tax, or lending advice.

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