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Can I afford this rent?

See what is left after rent, everyday bills, and savings. Try different rent amounts to compare the monthly costs.

2026 tax year · Planning estimate · No account required

United States
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The estimate updates as you type.

Estimate

This rent looks workable.

After rent, utilities, bills, debt, and savings, the estimate leaves US$2,299 per month.

Key numbers

Estimated monthly take-homeUS$5,149
Rent and utilities each monthUS$1,950
All monthly commitmentsUS$2,850
Left after rent and commitmentsUS$2,299
Rent and utilities share of before-tax income29.3%
Rent and utilities share of take-home pay37.9%

Not included yet: a second household income, renter insurance, parking or storage fees.

Assumptions to check (4)
  • Take-home pay uses an ordinary full-year resident wage estimate with standard deductions and modeled wage credits. It is not a complete tax return: age, dependants, itemized deductions, other income and eligibility-based refunds are not entered.
  • Employee payroll contributions use standard shares unless confirmed elections are supplied. Employer-paid shares, approved exemptions, employer-specific programs and unselected local taxes can change actual pay.
  • Final 2026 ordinary-income return lookup tables are not yet published. This annual estimate uses the published 2026 rates or estimated-tax/statutory schedule; final filing-table bins and whole-dollar return rounding may differ.
  • The finalized2025 return uses published tax-table bins. Final2026 return tables and line instructions are not yet published; the2026 annual estimate currently uses the configured enacted/indexed rate chart and is provisional.
What this means for you

This checks the 30% rent rule (keep rent under about 30% of before-tax income) and the money left after rent, utilities, bills, debt, and savings.

The rent-to-income ratio shows how much of your income goes to housing. The take-home calculation shows what is left after your expenses and savings.

Food, transit, and surprise costs still come out of the US$2,299 left, since they are not in the list above. If that covers a normal month for you, this rent fits.

The inputs that move this answer most: Rent and utilities · Debt payments · Savings goal · Roommate share.

See how Fred can help with the next step

Estimates only, not financial advice.

Fred, your personal financial copilot.

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Fred works out whether this home fits the life you want. He brings together the rent, moving costs, bills and savings goals, researches what’s missing and explains your options. You don’t have to do all that financial homework yourself.

Fred, your financial copilot, ready to talk through your plans
You could ask Fred

Can I take this apartment and still save for a home?

You choose the place. Fred makes the budget and savings changes you approve, keeps your financial picture organized and works with you as your priorities change.

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You make the decisions. Fred handles the rest.

As life changes, your plan changes with you.

Your finances don’t start and end with a conversation. Fred works with your saved goals, decisions and context, so the next question builds on what’s already in place. Connected Gmail keeps bringing in financial records between chats, with your permission.

You don’t have to piece it all together.

The tools to organize your money come included. Fred takes on the research, calculations and decisions to work through, connecting your income, bills, debts and goals. You set the priorities. He works out what it takes.

You make the call. Fred makes it happen.

An answer shouldn’t leave you with another list of tasks. Fred creates goals, updates budgets and organizes expenses with your approval. He can find financial details in your emails and make sense of receipts, so there’s less digging, filing and remembering for you.

Common questions

What rent is affordable in the United States?
The common 30% guideline compares housing with before-tax household income. This calculator also estimates taxes and the money left after bills, debt, and savings, because the percentage alone does not determine affordability.
Is the 30% rent rule enough?
It is a useful starting point, but it does not know your debt payments, savings goals, utilities, food, transportation, or what actually lands in your account after tax.
Should I use income before tax or take-home pay?
Landlords often look at income before tax. Your month runs on take-home pay, so this calculator shows both the usual income rule and the cash-flow answer.
Do utilities count as rent?
For real affordability, yes. Utilities may not be part of the lease price, but they still leave the same bank account every month.
How much should I have left after rent?
There is no single right number. It depends on your bills, debt, and how much cushion you want. The calculator shows what remains after the amounts you enter, and you can judge whether that feels like enough.
Is renting throwing money away?
No. Rent buys housing and flexibility. What matters is whether this rent leaves enough room for the rest of your month.
Is anything saved?
No. The calculator only uses the numbers you type to make this estimate. You do not need an account, and the numbers are not saved.