Last updated: March 2, 2026 by Emily Taylor

How Much Rent Can You Afford?

Formula

Recommended = Income * 30%.
Conservative = 25%.
Stretch = 35%.

The general rule is to spend no more than 30% of gross monthly income on rent.

This calculator shows three rent levels so you can decide how to budget for housing.

Common use cases:

  • Apartment hunting
  • Budgeting for a move
  • Evaluating housing costs

Frequently Asked Questions

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Emily Taylor

Certified Public Accountant, CPA, MBA

Emily is a Certified Public Accountant with an MBA in Finance. She has over 10 years of experience in tax planning, business accounting, and personal finance advisory. She develops practical financial tools for everyday money management.

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