Rent Affordability Calculator
State-tax-aware rent affordability: 30%, 40x, and DTI-adjusted max rent based on your actual take-home. Rates accurate as of April 2026.
Rates current as of April 2026
2026 federal IRS brackets (post-OBBBA permanent extensions) and all 50-state + DC statute rates. Federal + state income tax and 2026 FICA rates.
Your income
Before any taxes or deductions.
Student loans + car loans + credit card minimums + alimony. Reduces what you can realistically spend on rent.
Your take-home
Recommended Max Rent
$1,114
Passes 40x rule AND leaves room for debt/savings
30% of Gross Income
$1,875
Traditional rule of thumb
Landlord's 40x Rule
$1,875
Gross annual / 40 = max monthly rent
Different rules, different numbers
30% of gross income (classic)
Works best in no-income-tax states. Too generous in CA/NY.
40x rule (landlord approval)
What most property managers will actually approve.
30% of net income
More honest in high-tax states — this is your real constraint.
35% of net minus existing debts
DTI-aware. If you have student loans / car payment.
Informational only.
Tax estimates use 2026 federal brackets + standard deduction, state top/flat rate as blended approximation, and 2026 FICA rates. Actual take-home depends on 401(k) contributions, health insurance, HSA, itemized deductions, and local taxes (NYC adds 3.876%). Use this for planning.