Result
Max affordable rent (30% rule)
$1,800.00
Based on $6,000.00/mo gross income.
- 30% rule30% of gross monthly income = 30.0% of gross.$1,800.00
- 40× rule (NYC standard)Annual income ÷ 40 = $72,000.00 ÷ 40. Common landlord screen.$1,800.00
- DTI 36% rule36% gross − $400.00 in existing monthly debt. The CFPB-style total-debt rule.$1,760.00
- Recommended (most conservative)min(30% rule, DTI rule). Leaves room for savings + emergency fund per typical financial-planning guidance.$1,760.00good
- Stretch (if employment is stable)35% of gross — only sustainable with strong job security and no other major debt.$2,100.00
Mid-market range
Not financial advice — These are guidelines, not approval criteria. Actual landlord requirements vary — many use the 3× monthly-rent standard (income ≥ 3× rent) or 2.5× in soft markets. High-cost-of-living markets (SF, NYC, Boston, Seattle) routinely see tenants paying 40-50% of income for rent; this is feasible but constrains savings.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your monthly income — gross (pre-tax W-2) is preferred since the standard rules are written against gross.
- Enter existing monthly debt payments (car, student loans, credit card minimums) — this is needed for the DTI rule.
- Pick a rule of thumb for the primary number. The breakdown shows all three side by side.
- Use the recommended figure for your search ceiling; treat the stretch figure as a maximum only if your job is very stable.
About this tool
The 30% rule is the most widely-cited rent guideline: housing should consume no more than 30% of your gross monthly income, leaving 70% for taxes, savings, transportation, food, and discretionary spending. The 40× rule is what New York City landlords use: your annual income should be at least 40× the monthly rent. The DTI rule (used by mortgage underwriters and adapted here) caps total debt obligations including housing at 36% of gross. This calculator shows all three, plus a "recommended" figure that takes the most conservative of the 30% and DTI rules.
Frequently asked
Each rule captures a different concern. The 30% rule is about household budget balance. The 40× rule is about landlord underwriting (rent collectability). The DTI rule is about overall debt-service capacity. Use all three to set both a personal ceiling and a realistic application target.