Rent Affordability Calculator

The general guideline is no more than 30% of your gross income on rent. In London, many people spend 40–50% due to higher costs. Use this calculator to find your personal maximum based on your actual take-home pay.

Most UK landlords and letting agents require tenants to earn at least 2.5–3 times the annual rent. For example, if the annual rent is £12,000 (£1,000/month), you typically need to earn at least £30,000 per year. Our calculator runs this check automatically.

On a £30,000 salary, your estimated take-home pay is around £2,100/month. Applying the 30% guideline, your maximum rent budget is roughly £630/month. In London, where rents are higher, many renters stretch to 40–45%. Always leave room for bills and living costs.

On the 2025/26 National Living Wage (£12.21/hr for over 21s), full-time earnings are around £23,000/year. At 30% of take-home pay, that gives a rent budget of roughly £510–£540/month — below average UK rents. A flatshare or housing benefit may be needed in higher-cost areas.

Beyond rent, budget for: council tax (varies by property band and borough), utilities (gas, electricity, broadband — typically £150–£250/month), contents insurance (£5–£15/month), and a tenancy deposit (usually 5 weeks rent upfront). Some lettings also charge a holding deposit of 1 week's rent.