What is the 30% rule for rent?

The 30% rule says housing should consume no more than 30% of your gross monthly income. At a $60,000 salary that is $1,500 per month. Spending more than 30% is considered cost-burdened by HUD.

What is the median rent in Denver?

This tool uses roughly $1,850 per month for a one-bedroom as a Denver benchmark. Actual rent varies widely by neighborhood, from cheaper areas on the outskirts to premium downtown and Cherry Creek listings.

Should I use gross or net income?

The 30% rule traditionally uses gross income, before taxes and deductions. This is the figure most landlords use when screening applicants, so the tool uses gross too.

Is 30% always the right threshold?

It is a guideline, not a law. In high-cost cities many renters spend 35 to 40%. If you have low debt and few other expenses you may comfortably exceed 30%, but lenders and landlords still treat 30% as the standard.

Does this include utilities?

No. The 30% figure here is base rent only. Budget separately for electricity, gas, water, internet, and renters insurance, which can add $150 to $300 per month in Denver.

Denver Rent Affordability Calculator

This calculator checks whether a Denver rental fits your budget using the widely-used 30%-of-income rule, then compares the rent to Denver’s typical one-bedroom so you can judge whether you are paying above or below the local market.

How it works

Affordability is based on gross monthly income:

monthly income = annual salary / 12
max affordable = monthly income × 0.30
rent ratio     = rent / monthly income

A ratio at or below 0.30 is considered affordable. Above 0.30 you are cost-burdened in HUD terms; above 0.50 you are severely cost-burdened. The tool also divides your target rent by Denver’s ~$1,850 median one-bedroom to show whether the listing is above or below the local median.

Example and tips

On a $72,000 salary your monthly income is $6,000 and your 30% ceiling is $1,800 — just under Denver’s median one-bedroom, so you would need a slightly below-median unit or a roommate to stay within the rule. To raise your affordable rent, lenders and landlords look at gross income, so a documented raise or a co-signer moves the ceiling more than trimming other spending does. Remember to add utilities and renters insurance on top of the rent figure shown.