Rent Affordability Calculator

This calculator shows the monthly rent you can afford based on your gross income and whether you are likely to meet a landlord’s income requirement. Most US landlords require annual income of at least 40 times the monthly rent. The two figures are not always the same.

Your monthly income before tax *Enter your gross monthly income in pounds.

Second applicant monthly income (if joint application)Leave blank if you are applying on your own.

Maximum affordable rent (30% rule)

$

Maximum rent to pass landlord income check (40x rule)

$

<p>Landlords in the US typically require your combined household income to be at least 40 times the monthly rent. This is a landlord screening rule, not a legal limit. The 30% rule is a personal finance guideline suggesting no more than 30% of gross income should go to rent. Both figures appear in this calculator. If you cannot meet the income threshold, a guarantor or co-signer may be accepted.</p>

Landlords in the US typically require your combined household income to be at least 40 times the monthly rent. This is a landlord screening rule, not a legal limit. The 30% rule is a personal finance guideline suggesting no more than 30% of gross income should go to rent. Both figures appear in this calculator. If you cannot meet the income threshold, a guarantor or co-signer may be accepted.

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Calculate affordability

Please do not fill in this field.

How to use this calculator

1. Enter your gross monthly income before tax.
2. If you are applying jointly, add your co-applicant’s income.

Understanding your results

The 30% figure is a rule of thumb for sustainable housing costs. Spending more than 30% of gross income on rent leaves less margin for other expenses and savings.

The 40× figure is the most common landlord income requirement in the US: your annual income must be at least 40 times the monthly rent. Some landlords use 3× monthly income instead, which works out to the same threshold. If your income falls short, a co-signer or guarantor may be required.

Landlord income requirements in the US

There is no federal law governing income-to-rent ratios. Landlords set their own requirements, and these vary by market and property type. The 40× rule is a common baseline in cities like New York, Boston, and San Francisco. Some landlords accept alternative documentation — bank statements, employment letters, or guarantors — if income does not meet the threshold. Requirements must be applied consistently to all applicants under the Fair Housing Act.

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