What is 3 times the rent of $2,500?
3 times the rent of $2,500 is $7,500. That is the gross monthly income most landlords want to see before they approve a lease at that rent. It comes to $90,000 a year, or $43.27 an hour at 40 hours a week.
To rent at $2,500 you need
$7,500
a month before taxes, or $90,000 a year
Income needed for $2,500 rent, by pay period
The 3x rent rule compares the rent to pay before taxes. The same requirement, stated the way each kind of paycheck shows it:
| Pay period | Gross income needed |
|---|---|
| A month | $7,500 |
| A year | $90,000 |
| Every 2 weeks (26 paychecks) | $3,461.54 |
| A week | $1,730.77 |
| An hour at 40 hours a week | $43.27 |
$2,500 rent at 2x, 2.5x, 3x and 40x
Not every landlord uses 3x. Some accept 2.5 or 2 times the rent, and New York City landlords ask for 40 times the monthly rent in yearly income. The last column is the share of gross income that goes to rent when you earn exactly the requirement.
Hourly wage needed to afford $2,500 rent
At 40 hours a week it takes $43.27 an hour to make 3 times $2,500. That is 6.0 times the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Fewer hours means a higher wage. The second column is the wage each person needs when two earners split the rent evenly.
| Hours a week | One earner | Each of two earners |
|---|---|---|
| 40 hours | $43.27 | $21.64 |
| 35 hours | $49.46 | $24.73 |
| 30 hours | $57.70 | $28.85 |
| 25 hours | $69.24 | $34.62 |
| 20 hours | $86.54 | $43.27 |
Does your salary make 3 times $2,500?
Divide your gross monthly pay by the rent. A result of 3.00 or more passes, and anything lower falls short of 3 times the rent. The highlighted row is the lowest salary that clears the rule, and the last column is the highest rent each salary qualifies for.
| Salary | A month | Times the rent | Passes 3x? | Highest rent at 3x |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $45,000 | $3,750 | 1.50x | No, short $3,750 a month | $1,250 |
| $50,000 | $4,166.67 | 1.67x | No, short $3,333.33 a month | $1,388 |
| $60,000 | $5,000 | 2.00x | No, short $2,500 a month | $1,666 |
| $75,000 | $6,250 | 2.50x | No, short $1,250 a month | $2,083 |
| $90,000 | $7,500 | 3.00x | Yes | $2,500 |
| $100,000 | $8,333.33 | 3.33x | Yes | $2,777 |
| $125,000 | $10,416.67 | 4.17x | Yes | $3,472 |
| $150,000 | $12,500 | 5.00x | Yes | $4,166 |
Splitting $2,500 with roommates
Most landlords add up the income of everyone on the lease, so the household needs $7,500 a month between you. Split evenly, each person carries this much:
| On the lease | Rent each | Income each, a month | Income each, a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Just you | $2,500 | $7,500 | $90,000 |
| 2 people | $1,250 | $3,750 | $45,000 |
| 3 people | $833.33 | $2,500 | $30,000 |
| 4 people | $625 | $1,875 | $22,500 |
$2,500 rent and the 30% rule
Earning exactly $7,500 a month puts $2,500 rent at 33.3% of gross income. The federal affordability standard draws its line at 30%, and by that measure the income for $2,500 rent is $8,333.33 a month, or $100,000 a year. That is the same answer the 40x rule gives.
At the 3x minimum, $5,000 a month is left after rent and before taxes. The guide to the 30% rule and the 3x rule explains which number to budget by, and how to rent without 3x income covers the options if you fall short of $7,500.
Check your own income against $2,500
The calculator is set to $2,500. Open the second tab and enter your pay to see whether you qualify.
Same rent, other rules
- 2x$5,000 / mo
- 2.5x$6,250 / mo
- 3.5x$8,750 / mo
- 4x$10,000 / mo
- 40x$8,333.33 / mo
To rent at $2,500 you need
$7,500
a month before taxes
- A year
- $90,000
- Every 2 weeks
- $3,461.54
- A week
- $1,730.77
- An hour, full time
- $43.27
At 3x, rent takes 33.3% of gross income.
$2,500 rent questions
What is 3x the rent of $2,500?
$7,500. Multiply $2,500 by 3 to get the gross monthly income a landlord using the 3x rule will ask for. Over a year that is $90,000.
How much do I need to make to afford $2,500 rent?
Under the 3x rule, $90,000 a year before taxes, which is $7,500 a month or $43.27 an hour at 40 hours a week. Under the 30% affordability standard the figure is a little higher: $100,000 a year.
How much do I need to make an hour to afford $2,500 rent?
$43.27 an hour working 40 hours a week all year. At 30 hours a week it takes $57.70 an hour. Two people splitting the rent evenly each need $21.64 an hour full time.
What is 2.5 times the rent of $2,500?
$6,250 a month, or $75,000 a year. Two times the rent is $5,000 a month, and the 40x rule used in New York City asks for $100,000 a year.