Finance category

Mortgage, loan, investing, tax, and money calculators.

Rent-to-Income Calculator

Landlords commonly require tenant income ≥ 3x rent — roughly a 33% rent-to-income ratio. Federal affordability rule is 30%. Some states cap or regulate screening criteria. This calculator checks all three standards against the tenant's income.

Monthly rent

Tenant gross monthly income

Include co-applicant income (combined)

Screening verdict

Passes 3x rent

Rent-to-income %

30.9%

Income ÷ rent multiple

3.24

Passes 30% rule

Passes 3x rent

Yes

Total income counted

$6,800

How the math works

$2,100 rent with $6,800 income = 30.9% rent-to-income — fails 30% rule by a hair, passes 3x rent at 3.24x. Most landlords approve at 3x+. Below 2.5x, consider requiring a guarantor or 2-3 month security deposit.

Document your criteria in writing and apply consistently to avoid discrimination claims. If rejecting, deliver Adverse Action Notice within 30 days (FCRA requirement when credit check was used).

Editorial noteMaintained by EveryCalc - Reviewed June 2026

EveryCalc calculators are designed for fast, practical estimates with transparent inputs and no required account. We use plain formulas, visible assumptions, and related tools so visitors can check the result from more than one angle.

Results are informational only. For financial, tax, legal, medical, construction, or other high-impact decisions, verify the output against primary sources or a qualified professional.

Learn more about our review process on the EveryCalc methodology page.

How this calculator works

What this page estimates

This Rent-to-Income Calculator is built to give a quick, browser-based estimate for rent-to-income. Landlords commonly require tenant income ≥ 3x rent — roughly a 33% rent-to-income ratio. Federal affordability rule is 30%. Some states cap or regulate screening criteria. This calculator checks all three standards against the tenant's income. The inputs stay on the page during normal use, and the result should be treated as an estimate for planning, comparison, or education rather than professional advice.

Calculation approach

The calculator applies the standard relationship implied by the inputs, then formats the answer so it can be checked and reused. For finance tools, the most important step is using consistent units, rates, time periods, and assumptions before comparing the result with another calculator or outside quote.

Example workflow

For example, start with a realistic value you already know, change one input at a time, and watch how the answer moves. That makes it easier to tell whether the result is being driven by the main amount, the rate, the time period, or a unit conversion.

Practical checks

Use current, real-world numbers when the result affects money, health, tax, or legal decisions.
Run a low, base, and high case when the inputs are estimates.
Check the related calculators below when the next decision depends on a different assumption.

How to interpret the rent-to-income result

Best use

Use the result as a planning number for comparing payments, rates, returns, tax reserves, or cash-flow choices before you request a quote or make a commitment.

Cross-check

Compare the answer with the contract, lender estimate, tax form, brokerage statement, payroll record, or invoice that will control the real-world outcome.

Watch for

Do not rely on a single optimistic rate, return, or fee assumption. Money pages work best when you run low, base, and high cases and keep professional advice separate from the estimate.

This page belongs to the Finance calculator library, so the answer should be read in the context of the decision you are modeling rather than as a universal rule.

Before relying on this rent-to-income estimate

Most calculator mistakes come from the inputs, not the arithmetic. Use this short audit before you reuse the answer in a spreadsheet, quote, application, or important conversation.

Confirm source numbers

Match balances, rates, fees, taxes, income, and payment dates against the lender quote, payroll record, tax form, statement, invoice, or contract.

Separate cash flow from total cost

A lower monthly payment can still cost more over time if fees, interest, taxes, or a longer term are hidden in the structure.

Run conservative cases

Test at least one higher-cost or lower-return case before using the output for a purchase, refinance, investment, loan, or tax decision.

Rerun this page when the rate, price, term, fee, tax rule, income, expense, or expected holding period changes.

How to Use

Enter monthly rent and tenant's gross monthly income.
See rent-to-income % and whether it passes the common thresholds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3x rent always applied?

Standard but not universal. Some markets (NYC, SF) use 40x annual rent = income floor. Subsidized / Section 8 tenants are evaluated differently — subsidy contribution counts toward meeting the ratio. Always verify with your state's specific rules.

What about partial months or variable income?

Use 12-month average for hourly/tipped workers. For self-employed, 24-month average from tax returns. Bonuses: count only if consistent 2+ years. Social Security, disability, spousal support count as income. Requesting paystubs is standard.

Is rent-to-income discrimination?

No — facially neutral income requirements are lawful. BUT watch disparate impact: excessive thresholds (e.g., 4x or 5x rent) can disproportionately exclude protected classes and draw HUD scrutiny. Stick to 3x rent; waive for adequate security deposit or guarantor.

Source-of-income discrimination?

Some states and cities (CA, CT, MA, NY, NJ, OR, WA, Seattle, San Diego, Minneapolis, many more) ban refusing Section 8 vouchers or Social Security income. Confirm locally; violations can trigger suits up to 3x damages plus fees.