The rent affordability calculator shows how much rent you can afford in the UK based on your salary. Enter your gross annual pay and it converts to take-home after 2026/27 Income Tax and National Insurance, then applies the 30%, 35% and 40% rent-to-income guidelines so you can see a comfortable, stretched and maximum monthly rent in seconds.
Based on your take-home pay
The calculator takes your gross annual salary and applies 2026/27 Income Tax bands (20%, 40%, 45%) and Class 1 National Insurance (8% up to £50,270, then 2%) to find your monthly take-home pay. It then shows three rent tiers based on widely used budgeting rules:
Most UK letting agents run a simple affordability check: your gross annual income must be at least 30 times the monthly rent. For example, if rent is £1,000 a month the agent wants to see at least £30,000 gross income. The calculator shows the maximum rent that passes this test so you know before you apply.
Based on 2026/27 tax and NI, no pension or student loan:
| Gross salary | Monthly net | 30% rent | Agent max |
|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | £1,745 | £524 | £833 |
| £30,000 | £2,036 | £611 | £1,000 |
| £40,000 | £2,617 | £785 | £1,333 |
| £50,000 | £3,197 | £959 | £1,667 |
If the calculator shows your target rent is above 35% of net pay, consider these practical steps:
Use the mortgage affordability calculator to compare renting versus buying. The salary calculator gives a full tax breakdown, and the rent vs buy calculator models the long-term cost of each option.
Most letting agents and financial advisers recommend spending no more than 30% of your take-home pay on rent. Some lenders use a stricter test: your annual income should be at least 30 times the monthly rent. On a £30,000 salary your take-home is roughly £2,036 a month, so comfortable rent is about £611.
Most UK letting agents apply the 30-times rule to your gross annual salary — so for £1,000 a month rent they want to see a £30,000 gross income. However, budgeting on net pay is wiser because that is the money you actually receive each month.
To pass a typical letting-agent affordability check for £1,000 rent you need about £30,000 gross income. After 2026/27 tax and NI that gives you roughly £2,036 take-home, so £1,000 rent is 49% of net pay — well above the comfortable 30% guideline. A joint income or guarantor may be needed.
The 30% rule says your monthly rent should not exceed 30% of your monthly take-home pay. It leaves 70% for bills, food, transport, savings and discretionary spending. For example, if you take home £2,500 a month, comfortable rent under this rule is £750.
Private landlords and agents often exclude benefits from the 30-times income test, but social landlords and some private landlords do accept UC housing element. If you claim UC, ask the agent directly whether they count it before applying.
It applies the 2026/27 Income Tax bands (20%, 40%, 45%) and Class 1 National Insurance (8% then 2%) to your gross salary. The personal allowance is £12,570. No student loan or pension is deducted — add those manually if they apply.
