Rent Increase Calculator

Plan a rent bump intelligently: see the percentage change, annual gain, and the months it would take to recover turnover cost if the tenant moves out — plus a check against your state's rent cap.

Current rent

New rent

State / local annual cap (%)

0 if uncapped

Turnover cost if tenant leaves

Monthly increase

+$100

5.4%

Annual gain if tenant stays

$1,200

Months to recover turnover

if the bump triggers a move-out

Max allowed under cap

$2,035

within cap

Reading the number

Within the legal cap. The break-even months figure tells you how long the increase would need to stick before it pays back a move-out.

Many landlords lose money by chasing small bumps that trigger turnovers. Compare your annual gain to the turnover cost — if the gain doesn't pay back the turnover within 12–18 months, it's usually better to keep a good tenant happy.

How to Use

Enter the current rent and your proposed new rent.
Enter the state or local rent cap percentage if applicable (CA, OR, NY, MN, etc.). Use 0 if uncapped.
Enter the estimated turnover cost if the tenant decides to leave instead of accept the increase.
Read the months-to-recover figure — anything above 12–18 months should make you reconsider.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I raise rent legally?

Most US markets have no statewide rent cap. Where caps exist (CA AB-1482 ~10%, OR ~14.6%, NY rent stabilization rules, MN, parts of NJ), the cap usually applies to the annual increase percentage. Local ordinances can be stricter than state law.

How much notice must I give for a rent increase?

30 days for most month-to-month tenancies on small increases; 60–90 days for larger increases or longer-term tenants in many states. CA requires 90 days for increases above 10%. Check state and city law.

When is a rent bump worth the turnover risk?

When the annual gain exceeds 1–1.5x the turnover cost — meaning even if the tenant leaves, you recover within a year of the new rent at full occupancy. Smaller bumps rarely justify chasing.

Should I offer a renewal incentive?

Often yes. A free month of carpet cleaning or a $200 gift card can shift the choice for a tenant who's on the fence about a small bump. Cheap insurance against a $5k+ turnover.