How do I know if I make 3x the rent?

Divide your gross monthly income by the monthly rent. If the answer is 3.0 or higher, you make 3 times the rent. Someone earning $4,800 a month and looking at a $1,500 apartment gets 3.2, which passes. At $4,200 a month the answer is 2.8, which falls short by $300 a month.

Use pay before taxes, and convert it to a monthly figure first. A salary divides by 12. A paycheck every two weeks is multiplied by 26 and then divided by 12. Hourly pay is the wage times weekly hours times 52, divided by 12.

If a partner or roommate will sign the lease with you, add their income to yours before dividing. The second tab of the calculator does the conversion and shows the highest rent you qualify for.