3x Rent Calculator

Enter your gross income and monthly rent to see your income-to-rent ratio, the income a landlord using the 3x rule requires, and the maximum rent your income supports.

Quick Facts

Formula
Required gross monthly income = monthly rent × 3
Uses gross (pre-tax) income; meeting 3x means roughly a third of gross income goes to rent.
NYC variant
40x annual rule ≈ 3.33x monthly
Some landlords ask for annual gross income of at least 40 times the monthly rent.

Your Results

Calculated
Income-to-rent ratio
-
Gross monthly income ÷ rent
Required monthly income
-
Rent × required multiple
Max affordable rent
-
Monthly income ÷ multiple
Surplus / shortfall
-
Monthly income vs. requirement

Ready

Enter your gross income and the monthly rent, then press Calculate.

Understanding the 3x rent rule

The 3x rent rule is the most common income screen in US rental applications: a landlord or property manager wants your gross (pre-tax) monthly income to be at least three times the monthly rent. This calculator applies that rule directly. Enter your gross income (annual or monthly), the rent, and the multiple the landlord uses, and it reports four numbers: your income-to-rent ratio, the income required to qualify, the maximum rent your income supports, and how far above or below the threshold you sit.

The formulas

  • Income-to-rent ratio = gross monthly income ÷ monthly rent. If annual income is entered, it is divided by 12 first.
  • Required monthly income = monthly rent × required multiple (3 by default).
  • Max affordable rent = gross monthly income ÷ required multiple.
  • Surplus / shortfall = gross monthly income − required monthly income.

For example, a $75,000 salary is $6,250 per month gross. Against $1,800 rent that is a ratio of 3.47 — above the 3x threshold of $5,400 — and the same income supports a rent of up to about $2,083 under the 3x rule.

Interpreting the output

A ratio at or above the selected multiple means you pass that landlord's income screen; below it, expect to be asked for a co-signer, a guarantor, or additional documentation. Keep in mind the rule is a screening convention, not an affordability guarantee: it uses income before taxes and ignores debt payments, so two applicants who both pass 3x can have very different room in their budgets.

Next steps

  • If you fall short, check the max affordable rent output — it is the practical ceiling for listings that use the same multiple
  • Gather income documentation (recent pay stubs, an offer letter, or tax returns) before applying, since landlords verify gross income
  • Re-run the numbers with the exact multiple a listing states — 2.5x, 3.5x, and 4x requirements all appear in practice

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 3x rent rule?
It is a screening standard many landlords use: an applicant's gross (pre-tax) monthly income should be at least three times the monthly rent. For a $1,800 apartment that means $5,400 in gross monthly income, or $64,800 per year. It is equivalent to spending no more than about one third of gross income on rent.
Is the 3x rule based on gross or net income?
Gross income — your pay before taxes and deductions. Landlords typically verify it with pay stubs, an offer letter, or tax returns. Because the rule uses pre-tax income, the take-home pay you have left after rent will be noticeably less than two thirds of your paycheck.
What if I don't make 3x the rent?
Common options include adding a co-signer or guarantor (guarantors are often asked to earn 5x to 6x the rent), applying with a roommate so combined income meets the threshold, offering extra documentation of savings or other income, or targeting a rent at or below your gross monthly income divided by 3 — the "Max affordable rent" figure this calculator shows.
Do all landlords require exactly 3x?
No. 3x is the most common multiple, but some landlords accept 2.5x while others ask for 3.5x or 4x in competitive markets. In New York City a related 40x annual rule is common: annual gross income of at least 40 times the monthly rent, which works out to about 3.33x monthly. Use the "Required income multiple" selector to match a specific listing.

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