Put in what you earn and see the rent it supports under the usual rules, then where in the country that rent is typical and where it falls short.
The 30% rule comes from federal housing policy, which counts a renter paying more than 30% of income for housing as cost-burdened. It is meant to cover rent and utilities together, so anything you pay on top of rent comes out of the budget first. Many landlords screen instead for income of at least three times the rent, which works out to a third of gross pay. Typical rents are Zillow's observed rent index for July 2026: one figure for each of the 100 largest metro areas, and one for every county Zillow tracks. A typical rent is the middle of the market, so there are always cheaper and pricier places in each area. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere. The link button copies your numbers into the page address and nowhere else.
About $1,500 a month under the 30% rule: 30% of $60,000 is $18,000 a year. Under the landlord rule of income at least three times the rent it is about $1,667. If you pay utilities on top of rent, take them out of that figure.
The guideline that rent and utilities should take no more than 30% of gross income. It comes from federal housing policy, which counts a household paying more than that as cost-burdened. It is a rule of thumb, not a limit: someone with debts or big savings goals may want to spend less.
Many landlords ask that the household's gross monthly income be at least three times the monthly rent. A $1,500 apartment needs $4,500 a month, or $54,000 a year. Most count everyone on the lease together.
Gross pay, before tax. That is why it can feel tight: after taxes, 30% of gross pay is often 35% to 40% of what actually reaches your account. Pick the stricter 25% rule if you want more room.