See How Much Rent Eats Your Paycheck
See what share of income goes to rent in any US city. Compare cities side-by-side or enter your own rent and income for a personalized view.
Measure How Tight Rent Feels
See what share of income goes to rent in any US city. Compare cities side-by-side or enter your own rent and income for a personalized view.
Note: This tool uses city-level median rent and income data. Actual rent pressure varies by neighborhood, unit size, and individual income. The 30% guideline is a common benchmark but not a strict rule.
You got the job offer. The salary sounds fine. Then you see the rent listings and realize half your paycheck might disappear before you buy groceries. This rent to income calculator shows what percentage of your gross income goes to housing in any US city. Most people compare rent prices across cities and call it a day. That misses the point—Miami's $1,750 rent feels heavier than San Francisco's $2,400 if incomes are lower in Miami. The ratio matters more than the raw dollar amount.
Enter a city and see the burden score instantly. If you're above 30%, you're cost-burdened by HUD standards. Above 50%, you're in crisis territory. Either way, now you know.
Your Rent Burden Score by City
The score is simple: monthly rent divided by gross monthly income, times 100. If you pay $1,500/month and earn $5,000/month gross, your rent burden is 30%. The tool uses median rent and median household income for each city by default, but you can override with your actual numbers.
Burden categories
- Light (under 20%): Plenty of room for savings, emergencies, and lifestyle. You're in good shape.
- Moderate (20–29%): Comfortable for most households. Some flexibility remains.
- Heavy (30–49%): HUD calls this "cost-burdened." You'll feel it when unexpected bills hit.
- Severe (50%+): Crisis territory. Little margin for savings, debt payoff, or emergencies.
The category is a flag, not a verdict. Some people manage fine at 35% because they have no debt and low other expenses. Others struggle at 25% because of student loans or childcare. Use the score as a starting point, then layer in your full budget.
30% and 50% Flags (What They Mean)
The 30% threshold comes from HUD—it's been the standard for decades. The idea: if you spend more than 30% of gross income on housing, you have less for food, healthcare, transportation, and savings. At 50%+, you're severely cost-burdened—one unexpected expense can trigger a crisis.
The 30% rule's limits
- It uses gross income, not take-home pay
- Doesn't account for student loans, childcare, or healthcare
- Was created when other costs were lower relative to income
- In expensive cities, many people exceed 30% without crisis
Why 50% is the red line
- Half your income to rent leaves little for anything else
- Savings rate drops to near zero
- One job loss or medical bill can mean eviction
- Long-term wealth building becomes nearly impossible
The 30% rule is a guideline, not gospel. In Manhattan or SF, many renters exceed 30% and still build decent lives. In cheaper cities, staying under 30% is easier—and if you can't, that's a bigger warning sign because it means something else is off.
Cities Where Rent Outruns Income
High rent doesn't automatically mean high burden. San Francisco has $2,400 median rent but $110,000 median income—that's 26% burden (moderate). Miami has $1,750 rent but only $51,000 income—that's 41% burden (heavy). The ratio exposes which cities are actually affordable relative to what people earn there.
Examples that surprise people
Lower rent, higher burden
- Miami: $1,750 rent / $51K income = 41%
- New Orleans: $1,200 rent / $43K income = 33%
- Las Vegas: $1,450 rent / $54K income = 32%
Higher rent, lower burden
- San Francisco: $2,400 rent / $110K income = 26%
- Seattle: $2,000 rent / $97K income = 25%
- San Jose: $2,600 rent / $130K income = 24%
If you're moving from a high-income city to a lower-income city for a lower-paying job, check the ratio carefully. The "cheaper rent" might come with a worse burden if your income drops proportionally.
Budget Levers That Change the Result
The tool uses median rent and median income by default. Your actual numbers will differ. Here's what moves the needle:
Roommates
Split a $2,000 apartment with one roommate and your rent drops to $1,000. That might take you from 35% burden to 18%—a category jump. The tool uses median rent for solo apartments, so if you're planning to share, enter your actual expected rent.
Neighborhood choice
Median rent is a citywide average. Downtown might be 50% higher; outer suburbs might be 30% lower. If you're targeting a specific neighborhood, check actual listings and enter that number instead of the median.
Dual income
Median household income includes all earners. If you're comparing your individual salary to household median, you'll overestimate your burden. Enter your actual household income—both earners combined—for accurate results.
Unit size tradeoffs
A studio or 1BR costs less than a 2BR or 3BR. If you're flexible on space, you can often drop your burden by one category just by downsizing. The tool defaults to typical 1BR median rent.
The more you customize with your actual numbers, the more useful the result. City medians are good for comparison; personal data is good for decision-making.
Hidden Monthly Costs to Add Back
"Gross rent" in the data includes utilities (electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash). But if you're entering your own rent, make sure you're counting everything that hits your bank account for housing:
- 1.Utilities not included in rent. If your lease is $1,500 but you pay $200/month separately for electric and gas, your true housing cost is $1,700.
- 2.Renter's insurance. Usually $15–$30/month. Small, but it adds up.
- 3.Parking fees. In urban areas, parking can run $150–$400/month on top of rent.
- 4.Pet fees. Monthly pet rent of $25–$75 is common in many buildings.
- 5.Internet and cable. Some people count this as housing, some don't. Be consistent.
If you're comparing two cities, use consistent definitions. Either include utilities for both or exclude them for both. Mixing methods will skew your comparison.
Lease-Signing Questions People Ask
Should I use gross or net income?
Landlords and HUD use gross income (before taxes). If you use net income, your ratio will look worse. For standard calculations and comparisons, use gross. For personal budgeting, you might also calculate net—but know the standard is gross.
What if I earn above/below the city median?
Switch to personal data mode. If you earn $80,000 in a city where median is $60,000, your burden will be lower than the city average. If you earn $45,000 where median is $60,000, your burden will be higher. Medians are useful for comparison; your actual income matters for your decision.
Is 30% a hard rule for landlord approval?
Most landlords want 3x monthly rent in gross income (33% burden). Some require 2.5x (40%). Others are flexible if you have savings or a guarantor. The 30% rule is a guideline for your own financial health, not a universal approval threshold.
How do I compare if I'm moving for a new job?
Enter your new salary (not your current one) and the new city's rent. The tool will show your burden in the new location. Then compare that to your current burden. If it's jumping from 25% to 40%, that salary bump might not feel like a raise.
Does the tool account for taxes?
No. The tool uses gross income, not after-tax take-home. If you're moving from a no-income-tax state to a high-tax state, your take-home drops—which means your effective rent burden is higher than the gross calculation shows. Use a tax calculator separately to see net income.
Can I afford to exceed 30%?
Depends on your full picture. If you have no debt, no car payment, and low other expenses, 35% might be fine. If you have student loans, childcare, and medical costs, even 28% might feel tight. The tool gives you the number; you decide what's sustainable for your situation.
Sources
- •HUD Affordable Housing Guidelines: hud.gov/affordablehousing — The 30% income rule and cost-burden definitions.
- •Census Bureau Housing Data: census.gov/topics/housing — Median rent and household income by metro.
- •HUD Fair Market Rent Data: huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr — Annual rent estimates by metro area.
- •Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies: jchs.harvard.edu — Research on rent burden trends and affordability.
For Educational Purposes Only - Not Professional Advice
This calculator provides estimates for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute travel, financial, legal, or professional advice. Results are based on the information you provide and general guidelines that may not account for your individual circumstances. Costs, fees, and regulations change frequently. Always consult with a qualified travel agent or booking specialist for advice specific to your situation. Information should be verified with official AHLA.com sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about rent-to-income ratios, burden categories, data sources, and how to use this tool for relocation planning.