Rent Affordability Calculator UK 2026/27

Find out how much rent you can afford based on your salary and take-home pay · check against landlord rules and the 30% guideline.

Max Rent You Can Afford (30% rule)
£0
based on your take-home pay
Max Rent · Standard Rule
£0
salary / 30 per month
Max Rent · Strict Rule
£0
salary / 40 per month
Max Rent · 30% of Take-Home
£0
recommended guideline
Monthly Take-Home Pay
£0
estimated
Budget After Rent & Bills
Monthly Take-Home Pay £0
Target Rent £0
Total Monthly Bills £0
Remaining Budget £0
Rent as % of take-home: 0%
Affordability Breakdown
Rent at 30% of take-home (recommended max) £0
Rent at 33% of take-home £0
Rent at 35% of take-home £0
Annual salary needed for your target rent (selected multiplier) £0
Combined Annual Salary £0
Enter your salary above and the calculator will show how much rent you can afford.

How Much Rent Can I Afford? · Salary Guide 2026

Monthly rent limits based on the standard 30x rule (annual salary / 30) and the 30% take-home guideline. Take-home estimates use 2026/27 UK tax rates (personal allowance £12,570).

Annual Salary Max Rent (30x rule) Max Rent (40x rule) Est. Monthly Take-Home 30% of Take-Home
£20,000£667£500£1,476£443
£25,000£833£625£1,731£519
£30,000£1,000£750£1,982£595
£35,000£1,167£875£2,233£670
£40,000£1,333£1,000£2,484£745
£50,000£1,667£1,250£2,934£880
£60,000£2,000£1,500£3,484£1,045
£80,000£2,667£2,000£4,451£1,335
£100,000£3,333£2,500£5,451£1,635

Related Calculators

Mortgage Calculator Affordability Calculator Budget Planner Salary Calculator Rent vs Buy Deposit Savings Council Tax Universal Credit

Rent Affordability Calculator FAQs

What is the 30x rent rule?
The 30x rent rule means landlords and letting agents typically require your annual gross salary to be at least 30 times your monthly rent. So for £1,000 per month rent, you would need to earn at least £30,000 per year. For £1,500 per month, you would need £45,000 per year. Some landlords and build-to-rent operators apply a stricter 40x rule · meaning £1,000 rent requires a £40,000 salary. This is not a legal requirement, it is a referencing policy used to reduce the risk of rent arrears.
How much should I spend on rent?
The widely used guideline is to spend no more than 30% of your monthly take-home (net) pay on rent. This leaves enough room for bills, food, transport, savings and unexpected expenses. Spending 30-35% is possible but reduces financial flexibility. Anything above 40% of take-home on rent is generally considered stretched. In London and other high-cost areas, many renters spend 35-40% on rent as a practical reality, but it is worth knowing the trade-offs before committing.
Can I rent if my salary is below the landlord threshold?
Yes, there are several options. You can use a guarantor · typically a homeowner who earns 36x the monthly rent annually · who agrees to cover rent if you cannot pay. Some landlords will accept several months' rent paid upfront instead. Shared accommodation reduces your individual rent share, making the salary threshold easier to meet. Some landlords, particularly private individuals rather than agencies, may be flexible if you can demonstrate reliable employment or good references. Housing benefit or Local Housing Allowance can also count towards rent in certain cases.

For informational purposes only · Not financial advice · Tax estimates use simplified 2026/27 UK rates and may differ from your actual take-home pay