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3x Rent Calculator

Calculate rent affordability and required income using the 3x rent rule of thumb.

Calculation mode

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Required gross monthly income

$3,000.00

At a 33.3% rent-to-income limit

Required gross annual income

$36,000.00

To afford $1,000.00 monthly rent

How the 3x rent rule is applied

Landlords often expect gross monthly income to be at least three times the monthly rent.

  1. Required income from rent

    Required income=Monthly rentRent-to-income limit\text{Required income} = \frac{\text{Monthly rent}}{\text{Rent-to-income limit}}

    $1,000.00 divided by 33.3% equals $3,000.00 per month.

  2. Maximum affordable rent

    Max rent=Gross monthly income×Rent-to-income limit\text{Max rent} = \text{Gross monthly income} \times \text{Rent-to-income limit}

    $135,000.00 times 33.3% equals $45,000.00 per month.

  3. Actual rent-to-income ratio

    Rent ratio=(Monthly rentGross monthly income)×100\text{Rent ratio} = \left( \frac{\text{Monthly rent}}{\text{Gross monthly income}} \right) \times 100

    $1,000.00 divided by $135,000.00 equals 0.7%.

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What is the 3x rent rule?

The 3x rent rule is a common tenant screening guideline. It says your gross monthly income (before tax) should be at least three times the monthly rent. That is the same as keeping rent at or below one-third of gross income, or a 33.3% rent-to-income ratio. This calculator runs entirely in your browser.

Choose a mode to find required income from a rent amount, the maximum rent you can afford from your income, or whether your current rent qualifies. You can also adjust the rent-to-income limit if a landlord uses 2.5x, 30%, or another threshold. Listed landlords report a different cash-flow view: adjusted funds from operations after recurring property spend, which you can estimate with the AFFO calculator. If you are buying instead of renting, the 28/36 rule calculator applies a similar affordability check to mortgage payments and total debt.

Required income from rent

Required monthly income=3×Monthly rent\text{Required monthly income} = 3 \times \text{Monthly rent}

Multiply the monthly rent by three to get the gross monthly income most landlords expect. For a general limit, divide rent by the rent-to-income ratio: if rent is $45,000 and the limit is 33.3%, required income is $135,000 per month ($1,620,000 per year).

Maximum affordable rent

Max rent=Gross monthly income3\text{Max rent} = \frac{\text{Gross monthly income}}{3}

Divide gross monthly income by three to estimate the highest rent that satisfies the 3x rule. With $135,000 gross monthly income, the cap is $45,000 per month. The same logic works in reverse when you already know your rent and want to check qualification.

Rent-to-income ratio

Rent ratio=(Monthly rentGross monthly income)×100\text{Rent ratio} = \left( \frac{\text{Monthly rent}}{\text{Gross monthly income}} \right) \times 100

Landlords often express the rule as a percentage. Under the strict 3x standard, rent should stay at or below 33.3% of gross income. The rule is a guideline, not a law, and some landlords accept lower multiples or weigh credit history and savings alongside income.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 3x rent rule use gross or net income?
The standard 3x rent rule uses gross monthly income before tax and payroll deductions. That matches how most landlords screen applications.
How is required income calculated?
Multiply monthly rent by three, or divide rent by your rent-to-income limit. For example, $50,000 rent requires $150,000 gross monthly income under the strict 3x rule.
What if my rent ratio is above 33.3%?
You may still be approved if a landlord is flexible, you have strong credit, savings, or a co-signer. This tool shows how far above or below the guideline you are.
Is the 3x rent rule the same as the 28/36 rule?
No. The 3x rent rule applies to renters and compares rent to gross income. The 28/36 rule applies to homeowners and includes all housing costs and other debt payments.
Can I change the income multiple?
Yes. Adjust the rent-to-income limit field. A 40% limit matches a 2.5x income rule; 30% is slightly stricter than the classic 3x standard.
Can I share my scenario?
Yes. Changing the fields updates the page URL so you can copy and share the same rent and income inputs.

Resources and references

The formulas and methods in this calculator were checked against these independent sources.