Rent Affordability Calculator

How to use the rent affordability calculator

This budget uses two limits. The first is your chosen percentage of monthly take-home income. The second is the cash remaining after debt payments, living costs, savings and utilities. The estimated rent ceiling is the lower of those two amounts, with a minimum of zero. The result is a household budgeting scenario, not a landlord screening rule or a mortgage qualification calculation.

Should I use gross income?

Use take-home income after payroll deductions. Enter costs once: utilities listed separately should not also appear in living expenses. Adjust your chosen percentage rather than treating the default as a rule.

What does a zero rent budget mean?

Your entered commitments leave no positive rent allowance under one or both limits. Review the income period and expense categories, then test a different scenario. The tool does not decide what housing is suitable for you.

How should I compare scenarios?

Start with the example, then replace every relevant value with your own figures. Keep the currency and time periods consistent. Change one assumption at a time and calculate again to see its effect. The initial values are examples, not recommended rates, prices or budgets. When comparing alternatives, include the same categories in each scenario so that a missing expense does not make one choice appear cheaper.

Can I save or share the result?

Use Copy summary for a concise text result, or Export CSV for the available figures. Calculations run in your browser; entered amounts are not uploaded by this tool. An exported file contains your information, so choose where to store or share it. Displayed amounts are rounded to two decimal places, while most intermediate calculations retain additional precision. Small differences from a bill or statement can therefore occur.

What should I check before using the numbers?

Read the calculation assumptions beside the result and confirm the inputs against the relevant quote, agreement or records. This tool provides an estimate based on those inputs, not an approval, market forecast or personalized financial recommendation. Refresh the calculation when your circumstances or the underlying terms change.