Rent Affordability Calculator
See how much rent you can comfortably afford on your salary. We use your take-home pay after tax, the 30% rule, and the income letting agents reference against.
How much rent can you afford?
A common rule of thumb is to keep rent at about 30% of your take-home pay — the money that actually lands in your account after income tax and National Insurance. This calculator works out your take-home pay first, takes off any monthly debt payments, then shows a comfortable rent figure.
Letting agents look at it differently. Most reference tenants at 2.5× the annual rent, which means your income needs to be at least 30× the monthly rent. That sets the most they will usually accept — often higher than what feels comfortable day to day.
If you rent with a partner, add both salaries. Agents normally accept a combined household income when they reference a joint tenancy.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the 30% rent rule?
- The 30% rule suggests spending no more than 30% of your take-home pay on rent. It leaves enough room for bills, food, savings, and the unexpected. It is a guide, not a hard limit — if you have low debts and few other costs, you may stretch a little further.
- How much income do letting agents need to see?
- Most letting agents reference tenants at 2.5× the annual rent. That means your annual income needs to be roughly 30× the monthly rent. For example, to rent at £1,000 a month, you would usually need an income of about £30,000.
- Can I add my partner's salary?
- Yes. For a joint tenancy, agents normally add both incomes together when they reference you. Enter both salaries and the calculator uses the combined household figure.
- Why does the calculator ask about debts?
- Monthly debt payments — loans, credit cards, car finance — reduce the money you have left for rent. The comfortable rent figure takes these off your take-home pay first, so you get a more realistic number.
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