Rent affordability calculator
By Sam Kane · Last checked 5 October 2026
This rent affordability calculator shows two numbers: a rent that should feel comfortable on your income, and the most rent that letting agents usually accept. Enter your pay, tell us if you will share the rent, and see your range in seconds.
Where the rules come from
| Rule | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 30% rule | Rent is affordable when it takes 30% or less of a household’s pay before tax | ONS, Private rental affordability |
| 30 times rule | Letting agents expect your yearly pay to be about 30 times the monthly rent | Slough Borough Council, Renting in the private sector |
Neither rule knows your full situation. If you have debts, childcare or high travel costs, a lower rent may suit you better.
How much rent can I afford?
A good starting point is to keep rent at 30% of your pay before tax or less. On a salary of £30,000 that is £750 a month. On £40,000 it is £1,000 a month.
In many places, rent costs more than that. The ONS found that private renters in England on a typical income would spend about 36% of their income on an average-priced home in 2024, and about 42% in London. So many renters pay more than 30%. If you do, a budget helps you see what is left for everything else.
For a full guide, with a budget plan and help you can claim, read how much rent can I afford?
What is the 30 times rent rule?
Before you rent, a letting agent usually checks that you can afford the rent. Many agents want your yearly pay before tax to be at least 30 times the monthly rent. For rent of £1,000 a month, that means pay of at least £30,000 a year.
If you earn less, an agent may ask for a guarantor, which is someone who agrees to pay your rent if you cannot. In England, a landlord can ask for no more than 1 month’s rent in advance, so paying several months up front is no longer an option there. Read our guide to rent guarantors.
Common questions
Should I use my take-home pay or my salary before tax?
Either works. Both rules use pay before tax, so the salary on your contract gives the most accurate result. If you only know your take-home pay, the calculator estimates your salary before tax.
Is the 30 times rule a law?
No. It is a common check that letting agents use. A landlord can set a different check, but in England they must use the same check for everyone.
Does the calculator include benefits?
No. If you receive Universal Credit or housing benefit, the result does not include it. Read our guide to housing benefit and Local Housing Allowance.
Why is my comfortable rent lower than what agents accept?
The agents’ check only asks whether you could pay the rent. The 30% rule leaves more room for bills, food and saving.
Do you save my answers?
No. The calculator works in your browser and does not save what you enter.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics, Private rental affordability, England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 2024, 18 August 2025
- Slough Borough Council, Renting in the private sector
- GOV.UK, Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances
- GOV.UK, National Insurance: how much you pay
- GOV.UK, Renters’ Rights Act: overview for tenants