Calculator

Rent affordability calculator

Estimate what an applicant can afford based on income.

The short answer

$60,000 a year is $5,000 a month, so a 3x standard supports about $1,666.67 of rent — 2.5x the $2,000 proposed.

Rent affordability

Affordable rent = monthly gross income ÷ income multiple, reduced by other monthly debts when a debt-to-income limit is used

Monthly gross income
$5,000.00
Affordable rent at this standard
$1,666.67
Income to proposed rent
2.5
  • Apply the same standard to every applicant, and check whether your city or state restricts income-ratio screening.
Show the arithmetic
  • Monthly income: 60000 ÷ 12 = 5000
  • Affordable: (5000 − 0) ÷ 3 = 1666.67
Worked example

$60,000 a year is $5,000 a month, so a 3x standard supports about $1,666.67 of rent — 2.5x the $2,000 proposed.

Assumptions
  • A 3x income rule means rent should be no more than a third of gross monthly income. It is a common screening standard, not a law.
  • Screening standards must be applied consistently to every applicant. Local rules may restrict income-ratio screening.

Every figure is calculated from the values you entered. Nothing is fetched from market data, and this is general information rather than financial, legal or tax advice.

Formula

Affordable rent = monthly gross income ÷ income multiple, reduced by other monthly debts when a debt-to-income limit is used

What you need

  • Applicant annual gross income
  • Income multiple required (e.g. 3 for 3x rent)
  • Other monthly debt payments
  • Proposed rent

Worked example

$60,000 a year is $5,000 a month, so a 3x standard supports about $1,666.67 of rent — 2.5x the $2,000 proposed.

Assumptions and units

  • A 3x income rule means rent should be no more than a third of gross monthly income. It is a common screening standard, not a law.
  • Screening standards must be applied consistently to every applicant. Local rules may restrict income-ratio screening.

Limitations

Every figure is calculated from the values you enter — nothing is estimated from market data. Real outcomes depend on your state, your lease terms and your property. This is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice.

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