Rent Calculator
Overview
ToolYard's Rent Calculator helps you set a realistic housing budget. Enter your income and monthly debts, then choose Rent-only or All-in to apply the 30% rule and a back-end DTI limit. You can also plug in a target rent to see the required income. Add recurring costs like utilities, renter's insurance, parking, and other fees to get a complete monthly picture. Everything runs in your browser for privacy.
About
About Rent Calculator
Rent affordability varies by income, debt, and recurring housing costs that extend beyond rent alone. Many renters use the 30% rule as a quick guide, but a DTI check can be more realistic when you carry other debts. This calculator models both methods with your chosen basis—rent-only or all-in—so you can plan a sustainable budget. The tool provides planning estimates and assumes consistent income and costs; your landlord's screening criteria may differ. The calculator compares two affordability checks: Rent-to-Income rule (typically 30% of gross monthly income) and Back-end DTI (total debts including housing as a share of income). You can run either rent-only or all-in budgets. For a target rent, the tool estimates required income under both rules and chooses the higher number.
Features:
- Two calculation modes: By Income and By Rent
- 30% rule and DTI limit checks
- Rent-only or All-in budget basis
- Include utilities, insurance, parking, and other costs
- Interactive charts showing caps and breakdown
- CSV export for detailed analysis
- 100% client-side for privacy
FAQ
Is the 30% rule always right?
It's a guideline. Pair it with a DTI check and your actual recurring costs for a better fit.
Should I budget utilities as a % or $ amount?
This simplified version uses dollar amounts. Enter your estimated monthly utility costs.
What's the difference between Rent-only and All-in?
Rent-only applies the 30% and DTI rules to rent alone. All-in includes utilities and other costs in the calculation, giving you a lower max rent but accounting for total housing expenses.
Does this guarantee I'll qualify for an apartment?
No—landlords may apply different income multiples or screening criteria. Use this as a planning tool.
Can I split costs with roommates?
The Split mode is coming soon. For now, you can divide the results manually by the number of roommates.