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3x Rent Calculator

Table of contents

How to calculate 3 times the rentHow much is 3x the rent?Can landlords ask for 3x the rent information?Is the income gross or taxed in the 3x rent calculator?FAQs

The 3x rent calculator helps you apply the 3x monthly rent rule, a guideline often used by landlords and property managers to assess whether a tenant can comfortably afford the rent. This rule generally means that tenants' total monthly income should be at least three times the amount of the rent. The 3x rent law considers the income before taxes and deductions.

This approach helps ensure tenants have enough to cover not only rent but also other living expenses and savings. Use our 3 times the rent calculator to learn how much is 3x the rent in general, e.g., what 3 times the rent of $1500 is.

Besides, you can use the rent calculator to compare your income to the rent price and plan your budget more efficiently.

⚠️ If you are wondering whether landlords can ask for 3 times the rent or not, don't worry! It's not the case for everyone, but the 3 times rent rule can still help you understand the desired income for comfortable renting.

How to calculate 3 times the rent

The following formula is used to calculate the 3 times sent:

 ⁣three times rent ⁣= ⁣3 ⁣× ⁣monthly rent\small \! \mathrm{three \ times \ rent} \! = \! 3 \! \times \! \mathrm{monthly \ rent}

where:

  • three times rent\mathrm{three \ times \ rent} is the 3x rent or tenants' gross required income; and
  • monthly rent\mathrm{monthly \ rent} is the total monthly rent.

It's that simple! Now that you know what 3x the rent is and how to apply the three times the rent rule, let's discuss more facts and examples regarding this value.

🔎 So, is 3x rent gross or net? From the above formula, you can see you should consider gross income, i.e., income before taxes and other deductions.

How much is 3x the rent?

Let's consider several examples to understand how to calculate 3 times the rent:

  1. What is 3 times the rent of $1500?

    You want to calculate your required income to afford to rent a specific apartment (aka three times the rent law).

    Let's consider the apartment rent price is $1500. You want to rent an apartment alone:

    three times rent=$1500×3=$4500\mathrm{three \ times \ rent} = \$1500 \times 3 = \$4500

    Hence, when someone asks how much is 3 times the rent, in this case, you can answer $4500\$4500. This means your monthly income should be at least $4500\$4500 to afford to rent this apartment. You can easily calculate this with our 3x rent calculator.

  2. What is 3 times the rent of $1400 for two tenants?

    Let's discuss another example of how to calculate three times the rent. For instance, you want to calculate your income to afford to rent a specific apartment that you will share with your friend (meaning two tenants).

    Let's consider an apartment rent price of $1400. According to the 3x rent law, you should earn at least $4200 \$4200 monthly, but since you plan to live with your friend, you can divide it by two. This means both you and your friend's monthly income should be at least $2100, on average, to afford to rent this apartment. Note the 3x rent calculator has an option to take more tenants into account.

  3. How to calculate 3x rent that you can afford.

    You want to calculate the apartment rent price you can afford with your and your partner's current income. Let's consider your income is $4000 gross and your partner's $2000. In total, you both have $6000 total income.

    You can enter this income in the 3x rent calculator in the last field. As a result, you will see the affordable monthly rent price calculated automatically.

  4. How much is 3 times the rent if I earn $1500 net monthly?

    As we have already explained, whether 3x rent is gross or net, you should always consider gross income in the 3x rent law. Therefore, first check your gross monthly income, and then use the three times the rent calculator.

Can landlords ask for 3x the rent information?

If your income doesn't meet the 3x rent guideline, don't worry! Not all landlords or property management companies are strict about this rule. The landlords can ask for 3 times the rent, but they may also be flexible if you have a strong credit score, a stable job, or can offer a larger deposit. You could also consider getting a roommate to share expenses or look for more affordable housing.

Using the 3 times rent calculator, you can adjust the number of tenants to see how the required income changes. Ultimately, it's important to understand your financial situation and budget carefully when renting. Make sure the rent fits comfortably within your means without overextending yourself.

🔎 In some places, e.g., in California, landlords cannot ask for 3x the rent value anymore. The 3 times rent rule became a real problem, making it hard to find a flat if your income was too small, but the new July 1st landlords 3x rent law fortunately solved this issue.

Is the income gross or taxed in the 3x rent calculator?

The 3 times rent rule is based on your gross income, which is your income before taxes, deductions, and expenses. This gives a clearer view of your overall earning potential.

However, when planning for rent, it's important to also take into account your net income (after taxes) and monthly expenses to ensure your budget stays balanced.

Since you're here, you might want to use the rent or buy calculator to understand whether it is better to rent or buy an apartment. This calculator can be helpful if you want to compare the cost of renting to buying an apartment during a specific period. If you have already started considering the mortgage option, use our mortgage calculator, which addresses the multiple questions that may arise.

FAQs

Can landlords ask for 3x the rent?

In general, yes, they can do it. However, some places or states have a law stating that landlords cannot ask for 3x of the rent anymore. For example, such a law has existed in California since 1 July 2024 to make it easier to rent an apartment even if the income doesn't exceed three times the rent law.

What if i don't make 3 times the rent?

You can still rent the apartment even if you don't make 3 times the rent with your income. Not all landlords are following this rule, and in some places, it is even illegal to ask about 3x the rent. You can also check what 3x the rent is and then consider getting a roommate to fulfill the requirements and share expenses.

How do I calculate three times the rent?

To apply the three times the rent rule:

  1. Take the amount of rent the landlord is asking for.

  2. Multiply it by three.

  3. This is the gross income (before any taxes and other deductions) you need to afford the rent comfortably.

  4. Check if this value exceeds you actually gross monthly income.

What is 3 times the rent of $1400?

The 3 times the rent of $1400 is $4200. To find it:

  1. Type in 1400 in your calculator.
  2. Multiply it by 3 to get 4200.
  3. Alternatively, check the 3x rent calculator online to make quick calculations and include the number of tenants.
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