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.
Found a place to rent?
Check the true cost before you sign. HomeThink analyses any listing for hidden costs, area risks, and red flags.
Estimates only, based on the assumptions you enter and current published rates. Not financial advice. Your actual costs depend on your circumstances and your lender. HomeThink is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and recommends no lender or mortgage.
Got a specific property in mind?
Open any Rightmove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket listing with the free HomeThink browser extension and get a Free AI report with red flags, a score and neighbourhood intel in about a minute. Free account, no card required.