RentCalc / Income needed for rent / $1,200 rent
What salary do I need to afford $1,200 rent?
Short answer: about $48,000 a year before tax. Here's what each landlord rule asks for, by year, month and hour.
Income needed for $1,200 a month
| Rule | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30% of gross income | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23.08 |
| 2.5x rent (lenient) | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17.31 |
| 3x rent (most landlords) | $43,200 | $3,600 | $20.77 |
| 40x rent (NYC) | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23.08 |
| 80x rent (NYC guarantor) | $96,000 | $8,000 | $46.15 |
*40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. All figures are gross (before tax).
The 40x rule and the 30% rule come out the same (40 ÷ 12 = 3.33× monthly rent), while 3x is a little looser. Utilities, parking and renter's insurance are usually extra, so budget for them on top of the $1,200.
Have a specific apartment and a salary in mind? The rent-to-income ratio calculator checks whether you qualify, and the affordability calculator also accounts for your debts and take-home pay.
Salary for $1,200 rent
$48,000
per year, 30% rule
Questions people ask
What salary do I need to afford $1,200 rent?
About $48,000 a year ($4,000 a month before tax) under the 30% rule. Landlords using the 3x rule ask for $43,200 a year, and NYC-style 40x buildings ask for $48,000.
How much an hour do I need to make for $1,200 rent?
At 40 hours a week (2,080 hours a year), the 30% rule needs about $23.08 an hour, and the 3x rule needs $20.77 an hour.
Can two roommates split $1,200 rent?
Many landlords add up the incomes of everyone on the lease. Split evenly, $1,200 is $600 each, and the pair would need about $43,200 a year combined under the 3x rule. Some landlords require each tenant to qualify on their own share instead.