Rent Affordability Calculator
Work out how much rent you can comfortably afford from your gross income — at the 30% rule of thumb or any other threshold.
Standard (30%)
At 30% of gross income, max recommended rent is £1,050.00/month
The 30% rule of thumb — long the standard guidance for healthy household budgeting. Most renters at this level can also save and cover normal expenses.
Rent at standard thresholds
Results update as you type. Figures are based on gross income; net (after-tax) affordability is lower. The thresholds are population-level rules of thumb, not a substitute for your full budget.
Formula
One multiplication:
max_rent = monthly_gross_income × threshold_pct / 100.
The classic threshold is 30% — popularised by US HUD in the 1980s and adopted across global
tenant-referencing convention. The four named bands (25 / 30 / 35 / 40%) are common waypoints,
not a sharp clinical threshold; pick whichever fits the rest of your fixed costs.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What's the 30% rule?▾
A long-standing rule of thumb: rent should stay below 30% of gross (pre-tax) household income. Originated in US Department of Housing and Urban Development guidance from the 1980s and got adopted globally as a sensible default. Above 30%, the household is officially 'rent-burdened'; above 50%, 'severely rent-burdened'. Useful as a sanity check; not gospel.
Should I use gross or net income?▾
Most affordability rules quote gross — easier to compare across countries with different tax systems. UK landlords and letting agents typically want to see annual gross income at 30× the monthly rent (i.e. they apply the 30% rule themselves). For your own budgeting, model from net (take-home) — the rent share of net pay is meaningfully higher than the gross figure.
What about utility bills, council tax, and other costs?▾
The 30% threshold typically covers rent only. UK renters should add ~£150–£300/month on top for council tax (£1,000–£3,000/year depending on band and location), broadband, gas, electricity, and water. Some lets include some bills, especially HMOs and student lets — read the contract carefully.
What if my landlord wants 30× the rent in annual income?▾
That's the 30% rule applied as a renting check: monthly rent × 30 ≤ annual gross income, equivalent to rent ≤ 30% of monthly gross. Most UK landlords and agents apply 30× as the affordability hurdle for tenant referencing. Some require 36× (the equivalent of a 33.3% rent burden), particularly in London and high-demand areas.
What about a guarantor?▾
If your income doesn't pass the 30× test, a guarantor (typically a parent or close family member) can. Guarantors are usually required to earn 36–48× the monthly rent to cover the lease. The guarantor is on the hook for unpaid rent and any damage — it's a serious legal commitment.
Is 30% always the right target?▾
It's a starting point, not a verdict. Two real-world adjustments: (1) lower it to 25% or below if you have student loans, childcare, or significant other fixed costs; (2) recognise that in expensive UK markets (London, Cambridge, Brighton), the sub-30% threshold is unrealistic for many renters — the guidance becomes 'minimise rent burden where you can' rather than a hard ceiling.