Rent Burden Calculator (30% Rule)
Are you rent-burdened? The 30% rule says housing should not exceed 30% of gross income; severely cost-burdened is 50%+. HUD uses these thresholds for affordability research.
FINANCEAre you rent-burdened? The 30% rule says housing should not exceed 30% of gross income; severely cost-burdened is 50%+. HUD uses these thresholds for affordability research.
Detailed instructions, formula notes, and US-context guidance shown in the calculator above.
Rent Burden Calculator (30% Rule)
HUD's 30% rule: housing should not exceed 30% of gross monthly income. Above 30% = cost-burdened; above 50% = severely cost-burdened. ~50% of US renters were cost-burdened in 2024 (Harvard JCHS).
30% rule originated in 1969 Brooke Amendment for public housing. Now used widely by lenders and HUD. In high-cost cities (SF, NYC) 30% is often unattainable — many renters spend 40-50%.