1. Use income before tax, the way landlords do
Most landlord checks and budget rules of thumb use gross monthly income. Enter each roommate's regular income, and leave out bonuses or overtime you can't count on.
Free calculator
Roommate rent affordability calculator
Looking for a place together? Enter each roommate's income to see how much rent your group can afford, whether you meet a landlord's income rule, and what a fair split looks like.
Rent affordability calculator
Runs in your browser. Nothing is sent or saved. Enter each roommate's monthly income before tax, your budget rule and the rent you are looking at.
Roommates and monthly income
Combined monthly income
8000.00
Rent that fits your 30% rule
2400.00
Highest rent on combined income for the landlord rule
2400.00
Splitting 2100.00 a month: fits your combined budget and passes the landlord rule on combined income
| Roommate | Own budget | Share by income | % of income | Even share | % of income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex | 960.00 | 840.00 | 26.3% | 700.00 | 21.9% |
| Sam | 780.00 | 682.50 | 26.3% | 700.00 | 26.9% |
| Jo | 660.00 | 577.50 | 26.3% | 700.00 | 31.8% |
How it works: your budget is combined income times your chosen percentage. The landlord figure is combined yearly income divided by the multiple you enter. Some landlords check each person separately or use a different rule, so ask yours. Shares above your percentage are highlighted. This is a planning aid, not financial advice.
How to work out what rent you can afford together
2. Pick a budget rule you can live with
Spending about 30% of income on rent is a common rule of thumb, not a law. If you have debt or want to save more, set it lower. The calculator shows the rent that fits for the whole group and for each person.
3. Check the landlord's income rule before you apply
Some landlords want yearly income to be a set multiple of the monthly rent, and some check each tenant separately. Ask what rule they use and whether they count combined income or allow a guarantor.
4. Decide how to split before you sign
With different incomes, splitting rent by income share keeps everyone at the same percentage. Splitting evenly is simpler but can push one person over budget. If rooms differ, start from the rent split calculator.
5. Budget for upfront costs too
The first month, deposit and fees are due before move-in day. Check them with the move-in cost calculator so nobody is caught short.
Once you have a number, split it by room size with the rent split calculator, check the cash needed upfront with the move-in cost calculator, and put the house rules in writing with the free roommate bill agreement template.
Questions
How much rent can two or three roommates afford?
Add everyone's monthly income before tax and multiply by the share you are willing to spend on rent, such as 30%. The calculator does this and also shows each person's own limit, since one roommate can be over budget even when the group total fits.
What is the 40x rent rule?
Some landlords ask that a tenant's yearly income be about 40 times the monthly rent. Rules vary by landlord and city, so enter the multiple your landlord uses. Some count combined roommate income and some check each person.
Should roommates split rent by income?
Splitting by income share means everyone spends the same percentage of their income on rent, which helps when incomes differ a lot. Many flats split evenly or by room size instead. The calculator shows both so you can compare.
What if one roommate doesn't meet the landlord's income rule?
Ask whether the landlord counts combined income, accepts a guarantor or co-signer, or takes extra deposit. Rules differ, so check before you apply.
Does this calculator store my numbers?
No. Everything runs in your browser and nothing is sent or saved.
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