Check your rent budget against the two rules landlords and planners use most: the 30% rule and the 40× rent income rule.
By TanLabs · Formulas cross-checked against the free spreadsheet · Updated 2026-10-31 · Runs in your browser – nothing you type is sent anywhere
With gross annual income $60,000, monthly debt payments $450:
Rent around $1,350/mo (most conservative)
30% rule: $1,500 · 40× rule: $1,500 · 36% total-debt rule: $1,350
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30% rule: rent ≤ gross monthly income × 0.30. 40× rule: annual income ≥ 40 × monthly rent. 36% rule: rent + other debt payments ≤ gross monthly income × 0.36.
Many US landlords ask for income of 40× (sometimes 3× monthly) the rent. Check the listing.
These rules use gross (pre-tax) income. If money feels tight, budget from take-home pay instead.
Leave room for utilities and renters insurance on top of rent.