Housing / monthly budget
Rent affordability calculator
Use your monthly income and fixed debt payments to sketch a rent range that leaves room for utilities, food, savings, and surprises.
step 1 / your inputs
Start with your numbers.
The gray example is only a guide. Replace it with your own number.
step 2 / see your estimate
Your result updates as you type.
How to use this estimate
- Add utilities, parking, renters insurance, and commuting costs to the real monthly housing budget.
- A landlord’s income rule is not the same as what feels comfortable for your life.
- Use your take-home income rather than gross salary for a personal budget.
Common questions
How much rent can I afford on my salary?+
A common starting point is up to 30% of gross income, but a personal plan should also consider debt, savings, transportation, utilities, and variable costs.
Should I use gross or net income?+
Use take-home income for a comfort-focused budget. Use gross income only when comparing a landlord’s screening rule.
the WageWillow guide
How much rent can I afford based on salary or take-home pay?
Start with monthly take-home income when the goal is a comfortable personal budget. A gross-income rule can be useful for understanding a landlord's screening method, but it does not account for taxes, debt payments, utilities, transportation, food, insurance, or savings.
This calculator applies a planning ratio and then checks the amount left after debt payments and a savings or buffer goal. Add utilities, parking, renter's insurance, and commuting costs outside the calculator before comparing two homes.
- Use net income for a cash-flow check and gross income only for a stated screening rule.
- Treat the result as a target range, not an approval guarantee or lease recommendation.
- Test the budget with a lower-income or higher-cost month if your hours or bills vary.
Rent affordability examples and limits
A 30% rule is only a starting point. Two people with the same salary can have different affordable rents because of debt, dependents, insurance, commuting, local costs, and savings priorities. Use the result with a written monthly budget and the actual lease costs, including deposits and recurring fees.
When comparing apartments, add the full housing cost—not only advertised rent. Utilities, parking, renters insurance, application fees, pet charges, and transportation can change which option fits your monthly cash flow.
keep exploring
read the guide