Use the 30% rule, 50/30/20 budget, and 28/36 debt-to-income rule to find your safe rent budget. Compare it to real market rents in 30+ US cities.
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Finding the right rent budget is one of the most important financial decisions renters make. The most widely used guidelines in the United States are the 30% rule, the 50/30/20 budget, and the 28/36 debt-to-income rule. Each gives a different lens on affordability.
The 30% rule says your monthly rent should not exceed 30% of your gross monthly income. This is the rule most landlords and property managers use during screening. If you have monthly debt payments, subtract them from the 30% figure to be conservative.
The 50/30/20 rule splits take-home pay into 50% needs, 30% wants, and 20% savings. Housing is just one "need" alongside utilities, groceries, insurance, and transportation. This rule keeps your whole budget balanced, not just your rent.
The 28/36 rule comes from mortgage lending. It says housing costs should stay under 28% of gross income, and total debt should stay under 36%. This is a stricter guardrail that prevents renters from overextending when they also have car loans, student loans, or credit card debt.
Our calculator lets you compare all three rules side-by-side. It estimates your after-tax income based on your state, factors in your existing debt, and checks your budget against real market rents in 30+ major US cities. No account required. Your data stays in your browser.