What does 2 times the rent mean?

It means your gross monthly income must be at least double the monthly rent. For a $1,500 apartment that is $3,000 a month, or $36,000 a year. It is a more lenient version of the usual 3 times the rent rule, and at the limit it lets rent take half of your pay before taxes.

Apartments that only require 2 times the rent exist in most markets. They tend to be units owned by individuals, smaller buildings, and some income-restricted housing. The screening criteria on the listing will state the ratio.

Qualifying at 2x and affording the rent comfortably are different things, since half of gross income is a large share. The 2x rent calculator shows the income for any rent and the rent your pay supports.