How Much Rent Can I Afford?

See how much rent a week fits your income with the 30% rule, room for your debts, and what it costs to move in.

Household income before tax

A year, for everyone who’ll pay the rent

Loan and card payments

A month: car, student and personal loans, card minimums

Rent you can afford

$462/wk

30% of your income before tax

Comfortable (25%): $385/wk
Stretched (35%): $538/wk

Rent$2,000
Tax and everything else$4,667

What this means

Spending about 30% of your income before tax on rent leaves room for bills, saving and the rest of life. Below 25% is comfortable; above 35%, money gets tight, especially with debts.

To move in, expect to pay up to 2 weeks’ rent in advance and a bond of up to 4 weeks’ rent: about $2,769 at this rent.

Next step

Rent at different shares of your income

Share of income	Rent
20%	$308/wk
25%	$385/wk
30%	$462/wk
35%	$538/wk
40%	$615/wk

Moving in

Rent in advance$923
Bond$1,846
To move in$2,769

Assumptions in this estimate

The 30% guide uses income before tax. If you have high costs such as childcare, aim lower.
Bills, internet, insurance and moving costs come on top of the rent and deposit.

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How the calculator works

Income: your household’s income before tax, for everyone who’ll pay the rent.
Debts: monthly loan and card payments.
Result: rent a week at 30% of your income, with a comfortable level (25%) and a stretched one (35%). If debts would take you over 40% of your income, the rent is lowered.

Example

On $80,000 a year with no debts:

	A week
Comfortable (25%)	$385
The 30% rule	$462
Stretched (35%)	$538

Moving in at $462 a week usually means about $2,769: 2 weeks’ rent in advance and a 4-week bond.

Before you sign

Budget for the extras: power, internet and contents insurance usually come on top.
Check the home meets the Healthy Homes standards for heating, insulation and ventilation.
Saving to buy? See the first home buyer guide, and compare with the rent vs buy calculator.

Last updated October 20, 2026

Frequently asked questions

How much rent can I afford on $80,000 a year?

About $462 a week, using the 30% rule: 30% of your income before tax. Up to $385 a week is comfortable, and above $538 a week money gets tight.

How much bond can a landlord ask for?

At most 4 weeks’ rent, and at most 2 weeks’ rent in advance. The bond must be lodged with Tenancy Services, not kept by the landlord.

Should I count my debts?

Yes. Car, loan and card payments come out of the same income. The calculator keeps rent and debt payments together within 40% of your income before tax.

Can I get help with rent?

The Accommodation Supplement from Work and Income can help with rent if your income and savings are low. You don’t need to be on a benefit to get it.