PropFit · Calculators · Rent you can afford
How much rent can I afford?
Most landlords want your yearly income before tax to be at least 40 times the monthly rent. That works out to rent of about 30% of your gross income. On $75,000 a year, that's $1,875 a month. Under the looser 3× monthly-income rule, it's $2,075.
Updated November 4, 2026 · Estimates for illustration, not financial or legal advice.
Rent you'd likely qualify for
$1,875/mo
Under the 40× rule: yearly income of at least 40 times the monthly rent.
- Under a 3× monthly-income rule
- $2,075/mo
- Total monthly cost at that rent
- $1,875/mo
- Cash to move in (first month + one-month deposit)
- $3,750
The three rules landlords use
Landlords and property managers check your income against the rent before they approve you. Almost all of them use one of three rules of thumb, and two of them are the same rule written differently.
The 40× rule
Your yearly income before tax should be at least 40 times the monthly rent. It's the standard in New York City.
Most rent you'll qualify for = yearly income ÷ 40
The 30% rule
Spend no more than 30% of your gross income on rent. If your yearly income is 40 times the rent, the rent is a 40th of a year's income, which is 12 ÷ 40 = 30% of a month's income. So the 30% rule and the 40× rule give the same answer.
The 3× rule
Your monthly income before tax should be at least 3 times the monthly rent. That's 36 times the rent a year, so it's a little looser than 40×: rent can be up to a third of your gross income. Outside New York, including Orlando, requirements are more often written this way.
Rent you can afford, by income
Rounded down to the nearest $25, the way a landlord would round in their favor.
| Yearly income | Monthly income | Max rent at 40× | Max rent at 3× |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $3,333 | $1,000 | $1,100 |
| $50,000 | $4,167 | $1,250 | $1,375 |
| $60,000 | $5,000 | $1,500 | $1,650 |
| $75,000 | $6,250 | $1,875 | $2,075 |
| $90,000 | $7,500 | $2,250 | $2,500 |
| $100,000 | $8,333 | $2,500 | $2,775 |
| $120,000 | $10,000 | $3,000 | $3,325 |
| $150,000 | $12,500 | $3,750 | $4,150 |
| $200,000 | $16,667 | $5,000 | $5,550 |
| $250,000 | $20,833 | $6,250 | $6,925 |
More than income
Passing the income check is the first step, not the only one. Before you apply, also look at:
- Total monthly cost. Amenity, pet and utility fees count against your budget even if the landlord's income check ignores them.
- Cash to move in. First month's rent and a deposit, often more. See the move-in cost calculator.
- Credit and rental history. Most applications include a credit and background check.
- If you're short of the rule, a guarantor can usually cover the gap. The 40× rule page shows what a guarantor needs to earn.
Questions
Straight answers
Is the 30% rule based on gross or net income?
Gross. Landlords check your income before tax, so the 30% rule, the 40× rule and the 3× rule all use pre-tax pay.
Do landlords add up roommates' incomes?
Usually, for everyone who will be on the lease. Some landlords also want each person to cover their own share, so ask how a particular home counts it.
What if I earn less than 40 times the rent?
You have options: a guarantor who earns more, a home with a lower rent, or a landlord who accepts the 3× rule. Some landlords also weigh savings or a larger deposit, where the law allows it.
Is 40× the same as 3×?
No. 40× the monthly rent a year is about 3.33× a month, so 40× is a little stricter. On $75,000 a year, 40× allows $1,875 a month and 3× allows $2,075.
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