Don’t Overspend on Rent

Don’t Overspend on Rent

Are you paying too much for rent? How would you know if you were? According to the US Census Bureau, 25% -30% of your gross income is an ideal amount to budget toward rent. In addition to rent, remember to factor in another 3-4% for housing expenses, like utility costs. When setting your budget for a new place, be sure to follow these tips to prevent overspending.

Orange Apartment Building 1

Calculate How Much to Spend on Rent Step 1: Evaluate your total income. If you have a roommate, combine your incomes together and follow the same process. (Although if you fear you might not want to live with a roommate forever, perhaps budgeting on one salary can be beneficial.) Step 2: If you choose to spend 25% of your income on rent and utilities, multiply the gross income by 0.25. Step 3: Divide the total amount from Step 2 by 12 months, and you will have the recommended maximum amount to spend on rent and utilities. Example: (The following income rates are from the 2013 average starting salaries for recent graduates via CNN Money.)

No Roommate

You & Roommate

Step 1 Income:  $44,000 /yr Combined Income: $37,000 + $61,000 = $98,000 /yr
Step 2 $44,000 x 0.25 = $11,000 / yr $98,000 x 0.25 = $24,500/yr
Step 3 $11,000 / 12 months = $917/month $24,500 /12 months = $2042 /mo
If you plan to spend only 25% of your gross income, and are making $44,000 a year without a roommate, it is recommended that you spend no more than $917 on rent and utilities. If you budget 25% of your income toward rent and utilities, and make a combined income of $98,000 with a roommate, it is recommended that you spend no more than $1021 for your portion, if rooms are equal. It is our hope that these tips help you avoid overspending on rent during your next apartment hunt. To find reasonably priced apartments in your area, visit ForRent.com. For more ways to save money on rent, be sure to browse the Apartment Living blog for great ideas!
Related Topics (1)

Recommended Posts

How Much Rent Can I Afford?

How Much Rent Can I Afford?

One of the biggest factors in finding an apartment is the price tag for renting a place of your own. The question, ‘how much can I afford?’ should be at the top of your apartment hunting checklist. When determining an affordable expense, the general rule of thumb is that no more than 30% of your after-tax […]

read more
Natural Home Remedies for the Common Cold

Natural Home Remedies for the Common Cold

There is no known cure for the common cold, but remedies are helpful in speeding up the healing process. ForRent.com wants you to enjoy the rest of the year without a sniffle. If you happen to be feeling a little under the weather, be sure to try one or all of these natural home remedies […]

read more
3 Out of the Box Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

3 Out of the Box Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

Mother’s Day has come and gone.  Mother’s Day was a breeze.  Some shiny jewelry, a gift card for a day of pampering, a hand made card.  Donezo.  Now enters Father’s Day and with it comes the frantic search for the perfect gift for the dad in your life.  Sure you can go the tried and […]

read more
17 Helpful Decorating Tips for Your Bathroom

17 Helpful Decorating Tips for Your Bathroom

The bathroom plays a significant part in the everyday life of a tenant. The bathroom is generally the first place you stumble into at beginning of your day, and often the last place you visit before retiring for the night. It’s where you make the final finishing touches to your look before heading out with […]

read more

Pick a Category or Topic

Categories

Topics