Rent affordability calculator
Stop guessing if you can afford that apartment. Find your safe monthly rent ceiling based on your actual income.
Based on the standard 30% of gross income rule.
The "30% Rule" is a lie (sometimes)
I genuinely believe that the "30% of your gross income" rule was invented when living costs were much lower. If you live in a city like New York or London, spending only 30% of your pre-tax income on rent feels like a fantasy. However, it’s still the gold standard for financial safety. If you go above 40%, you aren't just "living," you’re "rent burdened"—which means one medical bill or car repair could wipe you out.
Look at your Net, not your Gross: Landlords look at your gross income (before taxes), but you should look at your net income (what actually hits your bank account). If you're contributing to a 401k or have high health insurance premiums, that 30% of gross is actually 45% of your take-home pay. Be careful.