“How much rent can I afford?” is one of the most important financial questions you can ask before starting an apartment search—and one of the most commonly misunderstood. Get the math wrong and you risk stretching your budget to the breaking point; get it right and you will have money left over each month for savings, experiences, and the unexpected.
This guide walks you through the most widely used affordability benchmarks, explains where they work and where they fall short, and gives you actionable strategies to find an apartment that fits your life, not just your paycheck. Throughout, we will reference real 2026 rent data from Zumper’s national dataset covering 100 U.S. cities so the numbers you see reflect today’s actual market.
Ready to skip straight to the numbers? Use the Zumper Rent Affordability Calculator to get a personalized answer in seconds.
What is the 30% rule?
The 30% rule states that you should spend no more than 30 percent of your gross (pre-tax) monthly income on rent. It is the most widely cited affordability guideline in the United States, and it forms the backbone of how landlords, lenders, and financial advisors evaluate a renter’s ability to pay.
The rule has its roots in the U.S. National Housing Act of 1937, which used a 20 percent threshold for public housing. Over the decades that figure climbed to 25 percent and eventually settled at 30 percent, where it has remained a cultural and financial shorthand ever since.
How to calculate your number
Formula: Monthly gross income × 0.30 = Maximum recommended rent
Here is what that looks like across common income levels:
- $40,000/year ($3,333/mo): max rent ≈ $1,000/month
- $55,000/year ($4,583/mo): max rent ≈ $1,375/month
- $70,000/year ($5,833/mo): max rent ≈ $1,750/month
- $90,000/year ($7,500/mo): max rent ≈ $2,250/month
- $120,000/year ($10,000/mo): max rent ≈ $3,000/month
Does the 30% rule still work in 2026?
Yes, but only as a starting point. The 30% rule remains the most widely used rent affordability benchmark in 2026, but whether it works for your specific situation depends heavily on where you live, your total debt load, your savings goals, and your lifestyle.
Consider two renters, each earning $65,000 per year. By the 30% rule, both can spend up to roughly $1,625 per month on rent. But the renter living in Wichita, Kansas, where the median one-bedroom is $710, has enormous breathing room, while the renter in San Francisco, paying the median one-bedroom rent of $3,670, would need to earn nearly $148,000 per year just to keep rent within the 30% threshold.
That gap illustrates why any rent affordability conversation must be grounded in local market data, not just a national rule of thumb.
When the 30% rule underestimates your costs
The rule only covers rent. It says nothing about:
- Renter’s insurance
- Utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet)
- Parking fees or pet deposits
- Moving costs and security deposits
- Property amenity fees
A more complete framework you may prefer is called the 50/30/20 rule, which allocates 50% of take-home pay to needs (including rent plus all other housing costs), 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt repayment. Under this model, rent alone should ideally consume no more than 25 to 28% of net income to leave room for the rest of your housing-related expenses.
When the 30% rule is too conservative
In lower cost-of-living cities, a renter earning $50,000 who spends $900 on rent (21.6% of gross) may be doing just fine — below the threshold and with plenty of room to spare. In cities like Des Moines, Iowa (median 1BR: $870), Shreveport, Louisiana ($780), or Akron, Ohio ($780), the 30% rule gives renters significant financial flexibility that their coastal counterparts simply don’t have.
How much rent can I afford in my city?
To find out how much rent you can afford, divide your annual gross income by 40 to get your city-specific budget. Then compare that number to actual median rents in your market. Here is a snapshot of January 2026 median one-bedroom rents from Zumper’s national dataset, along with the annual income required to keep rent at or below 30% of gross pay:
A few of the lower-cost markets for a 1-bedroom:
- Wichita, KS: $710/mo — requires ~$28,400/year
- Akron, OH: $780/mo — requires ~$31,200/year
- Shreveport, LA: $780/mo — requires ~$31,200/year
- El Paso, TX: $800/mo — requires ~$32,000/year
- Des Moines, IA: $870/mo — requires ~$34,800/year
Mid-range markets (1-bedroom):
- Charlotte, NC: $1,400/mo — requires ~$56,000/year
- Nashville, TN: $1,500/mo — requires ~$60,000/year
- Austin, TX: $1,500/mo — requires ~$60,000/year
- Denver, CO: $1,590/mo — requires ~$63,600/year
- Chicago, IL: $2,000/mo — requires ~$80,000/year
Most expensive markets (1-bedroom):
- Boston, MA: $2,930/mo — requires ~$117,200/year
- San Jose, CA: $2,670/mo — requires ~$106,800/year
- San Diego, CA: $2,220/mo — requires ~$88,800/year
- San Francisco, CA: $3,670/mo — requires ~$146,800/year
- New York, NY: $4,320/mo — requires ~$172,800/year
These figures underscore why city-specific data matters. Zumper’s Rent Research is a helpful ongoing tool to help you understand trends in your specific area, and when you’re ready to find an apartment in your budget.
The Income-to-Rent Gap: What the data reveals
One of the most useful calculations you can do to understand whether a city in the US is considered “affordable” is to compares the annual income required to afford local rents (using the 30% rule) against the actual median household income in each city (according to the US Census). This gap reveals where renters are most financially stressed, or “rent-burdened.”
In New Haven, Connecticut, for example, the median 1-bedroom requires an annual income of about $72,000 to stay within the 30% threshold but the city’s median household income is approximately $53,771. That $18,000-plus gap means that a typical New Haven household is likely spending well above 30% of income on rent, or sharing space to make the math work.
On the other end, cities like Gilbert, Arizona (median HH income: $121,351, income needed for 1BR: $61,600) and Plano, Texas (median HH income: $108,649, income needed: $58,000) show strong income-to-rent ratios, meaning average households have meaningful financial room beyond the 30% threshold.
Understanding this dynamic in your target city helps set realistic expectations and helps explain why the same salary feels very different depending on where you live.
Does the 30% rule for renters include cost of living?
No, and that omission matters. The 30% rule covers rent alone. It says nothing about groceries, healthcare, transportation, or utilities, all of which vary dramatically by city. The Center for Community and Economic Research tracks an overall cost-of-living index for major US metros, benchmarked against the U.S. average. A few striking contrasts:
- New York, NY: +85.5% above the national average, even before factoring in $4,320 median rent
- San Jose, CA: +83.9% — the highest overall cost-of-living index in the dataset
- Oklahoma City, OK: -18.8% below average, with a $900 median 1-bedroom — one of the most financially hospitable cities in the country
- Des Moines, IA: -16.9% below average, reinforcing its reputation as an affordable Midwest hub
Groceries, healthcare, transportation, and utilities can significantly affect how far your paycheck goes after rent. A renter moving from Oklahoma City to Seattle ($1,920 median 1BR, +44.5% cost-of-living premium) may need a salary increase of 60–70% just to maintain the same standard of living — and that calculation doesn’t even start with rent.
How to find an apartment in your budget
Knowing your number is step one. Finding an apartment that actually hits it is step two. Here’s a practical approach:
1. Start with your hard ceiling
Take your gross monthly income and multiply by 0.30. That is your absolute maximum. Then subtract an estimated $100–$200 for utilities and renter’s insurance to find your practical rent target.
2. Explore affordable neighborhoods within your target city
Even in expensive cities, significant price variation exists between neighborhoods. Zumper’s affordability data identifies the four most affordable neighborhoods in each of the 100 largest U.S. cities. For example, in Chicago, where the citywide median 1-bedroom is $2,000, affordable neighborhoods can bring that number down meaningfully. Searching at the neighborhood level, not just the city level, is one of the highest-leverage moves you can make.
3. Consider comparable cities
Zumper’s data pairs each city with three comparable peer markets. If you’re open to relocation, the comparison can be eye-opening. Renters priced out of Washington, D.C. ($2,210 median 1BR) might find that comparable cities offer significantly lower rents. Similarly, someone weighing Austin versus Dallas will find that Austin’s $1,500 median is only modestly above Dallas’s $1,470, which is a smaller gap than perception might suggest.
4. Time your search strategically
Every rental market has a slow season. Zumper’s dataset includes the least competitive month for renter demand in each city, typically the late fall and winter months in most markets. Searching in December or January rather than May or June can mean fewer competing applicants and more negotiating power, even if the listed price looks the same.
5. Use Zumper’s tools
The Zumper Rent Calculator is a free tool that takes your income, location, and preferences and gives you a clear picture of what you can afford. It’s a useful anchor before you start browsing listings, giving you a real number to hold onto so you don’t end up falling in love with an apartment that’s 40% of your paycheck.
How to strategize for cheaper rent
Even within a fixed income, there are several ways to improve your affordability position:
Get a roommate
Splitting a two-bedroom apartment is almost always cheaper per person than renting a studio or one-bedroom alone. In Boston, for example, the median 2-bedroom is $3,510. Split two ways, that’s $1,755 per person, notably less than the $2,930 median for a 1-bedroom. The savings compound across utilities, parking, and other shared costs.
Negotiate on lease terms, not just price
Landlords are often more willing to offer concessions, like a free month, waived fees, or a parking spot, than to lower the headline rent, which affects their comparable rent data. If you’re a strong applicant with stable income, good credit, and positive rental history, ask what flexibility exists before accepting the listed price.
Move during the off-season
As noted above, lease-up periods in winter months often come with more negotiating leverage. When a unit has been vacant through the winter slower months of November or December, landlords might be more willing to compromise on price.
Lengthen your commute (strategically)
In nearly every major metro, rent prices decline as distance from the urban core increases. The key is to calculate the true cost of commuting, which includes time, transportation expenses, and wear on your vehicle or transit pass, and weigh that against the rent savings. In some cases, living 20–30 minutes further out saves several hundred dollars per month even after accounting for commute costs.
Improve your rental application
A stronger application gives you access to better units at lower effective cost. That means maintaining a credit score above 700, having 2–3 months of rent in savings as a cushion, gathering references from previous landlords, and having pay stubs or bank statements ready. Strong applicants often get first pick of available units at the listed price while weaker applicants may end up paying above asking in competitive markets.
Don’t overlook smaller cities
The Zumper dataset highlights some remarkable values in mid-sized U.S. cities. Tulsa, Oklahoma ($920 median 1BR), Lincoln, Nebraska ($880), and Memphis, Tennessee ($940) all offer rents well below the national median, with cost-of-living indices that amplify those savings even further. If remote work is an option, the financial math of relocating to a secondary market can be transformative.
Find out exactly how much rent you can afford
Affordability is personal. How much rent you can afford depends on your income, your city, your lifestyle, and your financial goals. The 30% rule gives you a benchmark, but you’ll need to look at actual rent prices in your city and compare them against your income.
The Zumper Rent Affordability Calculator does exactly that. It can help you see what you can realistically afford and the options available in your area within that budget range.
Your next apartment is out there. Knowing your number is the first step to finding it.
Frequently asked questions about rent affordability
What percentage of my income should go to rent?
The most widely used guideline is 30% of your gross (pre-tax) monthly income. That means if you earn $5,000 per month before taxes, your rent should ideally be no more than $1,500. Some financial planners recommend targeting 25–28% of net (take-home) pay instead, which leaves more room for utilities, renter’s insurance, and other housing-related costs that the 30% rule doesn’t account for.
What is considered ‘rent burdened’?
A household is considered rent burdened when it spends more than 30% of gross income on rent. Households spending more than 50% are considered severely rent burdened. Based on Zumper’s 2026 data, renters in high-cost cities face a significant structural challenge. In New York, for example, the median one-bedroom of $4,320 per month requires an annual income of nearly $173,000 to stay below the 30% threshold, well above the city’s median household income of $79,713.
Is $1,500 a month a lot for rent?
It depends entirely on where you live and what you earn. In cities like Wichita or Akron, $1,500 is double their median rents ($710 and $780, respectively) and would be considered a lot for rent. In contrast, $1,500 is expected in Austin or Nashville, where the median 1-bedroom rent sits at or near $1,500. This is also reasonable for someone earning around $60,000 per year, according to the 30% rule. But in the US’s most expensive markets like Boston ($2,930), San Francisco ($3,670), or New York ($4,320), $1,500 per month is a bargain that would require significant compromise on location or size.
How much should I make to afford a 2-bedroom apartment?
To keep a 2-bedroom within the 30% rule, multiply the monthly rent by 40 to get the minimum recommended annual income. In affordable markets, the math is accessible: a $1,000 2-bedroom in Akron or Shreveport requires roughly $40,000 per year. Mid-range markets are more demanding — Chicago’s $2,440 median 2-bedroom calls for about $97,600 per year. At the high end, New York’s $5,140 median 2-bedroom requires an income of roughly $205,600 annually to stay within the guideline.
Can I afford an apartment on a $40,000 salary?
Yes — in the right market. At $40,000 per year, or $3,333 per month, the 30% rule would limit your budget to approximately $1,000 per month. That is above the median rent in cities like Wichita ($710), Akron ($780), Shreveport ($780), El Paso ($800), and Des Moines ($870). So in these cities, a $40,000 salary provides genuine options in those markets. In cities where the median 1-bedroom rent is over $1,000 (most major metros) a $40,000 income means you might need to find a roommate, a more affordable neighborhood, or longer commute.
What month is the cheapest to rent an apartment?
Winter months, particularly November through February, are generally the least competitive in most U.S. rental markets. Across Zumper’s top 100 largest cities, December and January appear most frequently. Fewer renters are searching during the winter, which means less competition for available units and more negotiating leverage, even as prices drop. The trade-off is a more limited supply of listings compared to peak spring and summer months.
Does rent include utilities?
Usually not, though it depends on the landlord and lease. Most apartment listings show base rent only, with utilities — electricity, gas, water, trash, and internet — billed separately. Some all-inclusive rentals do bundle utilities into the monthly rent, which can simplify budgeting but sometimes comes at a premium. One tip is to add an estimated $150–$250 per month for utilities on top of your base rent target. It’s also a good idea to confirm exactly what utilities are or aren’t included before signing a lease.
How do I know if an apartment is within my budget?
Start with the 30% rule: divide your annual gross income by 40 to get your approximate monthly rent ceiling. Then verify it against real listings in your target city and neighborhood. Zumper’s rent calculator can help you set a clear budget and find rentals that you can afford.
Keep exploring: rental affordability and budgeting tips
This article is the starting point for a deeper exploration of renter affordability. Related guides from Zumper go deeper on the topics that matter most to you:
- What Is the 30% Rule and Should You Follow It?
- Can You Negotiate Your Rent?
- How to Create a Budget for Your First Apartment
- Renting with a Low Credit Score
Data sources: Rent prices and trends comes from Zumper’s internal rental data from early 2026, which covers 100 U.S. cities. All rent figures reflect median asking rents for available units on the Zumper platform. Cost of Living numbers comes from C2ER’s Cost of Living index, updated quarterly.
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