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Rent-to-income ratio calculator
Check an applicant against your income rule, see the income a rent needs, and the highest rent a household qualifies for.
Rent-to-income ratio
0 %
Income is 0 times the rent.
Apply the same written rule to every applicant. Some states and cities limit income rules or require counting housing vouchers and other lawful income; check local fair housing law before you set one.
The formula
Rent-to-income ratio = Monthly rent / Gross monthly income
| Monthly rent | Income at 3x, monthly | Income at 3x, yearly |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| $1,250 | $3,750 | $45,000 |
| $1,500 | $4,500 | $54,000 |
| $1,800 | $5,400 | $64,800 |
| $2,000 | $6,000 | $72,000 |
| $2,500 | $7,500 | $90,000 |
| $3,000 | $9,000 | $108,000 |
Income is one check, not the only one
Landlords usually also look at rental history, credit and verified income such as pay stubs or bank statements. Write down your criteria before you list the unit, and use them for every applicant: it is fairer and it protects you if a decision is ever questioned.
Questions
What is the 3x rent rule?
A common screening rule: the applicant's gross monthly income should be at least three times the monthly rent. For $1,800 rent that is $5,400 a month, or $64,800 a year. It is the same as rent being at most about 33 % of gross income.
What is a good rent-to-income ratio?
Many landlords look for rent at 30 % to 33 % of gross income or less. Lower is safer: the tenant has more room for other bills and surprises.
Do I count both roommates?
Many landlords add the incomes of everyone on the lease. Some require each roommate to meet a share of the rule. Whatever you choose, write it down and apply it to every applicant the same way.
Can I refuse an applicant who pays with a housing voucher?
In many states and cities, no: source-of-income laws make it illegal to refuse an applicant because of a voucher, and some say how the income rule applies to the tenant's share of the rent. Check your state and local fair housing law.
Sources
Next steps
Last updated November 5, 2026.