Finding a nice place to live in a great area can feel like winning the lottery, hence why many find themselves asking, “How much should you spend on rent?”
Everyone’s circumstances are different, and while cheap is ideal, it isn’t realistic for those who expect to find and maintain a residence in a place they want to live.
Here, we’ll discuss several factors to consider when renting a home that should help clarify how much to spend on rent. Plus, we have a few tips to help you save money while renting just about anywhere you choose!
Is the 30% Rent Rule Realistic? The Balancing Act of Budgeting for Living Expenses
There’s no magic number for rent that fits everyone. The popular 30% rule suggests spending this portion of your income on rent. Ideally, you should be calculating this expense based on your net income, as the gross income used in most calculations can produce unrealistic margins, especially on the lower end of the earning spectrum.
This means that if you’re generating $4000 monthly income your rent should equal around $1200.
While a good starting point, locations and other variables can convolute this otherwise simple formula for how much you should spend on rent. In an affordable area, an $800 per month apartment might be a steal, especially when it’s only 20% of your income. Conversely, sticking to 30% might be impossible in pricier cities, like San Francisco where median rent surpasses $3000 for a one-bedroom (double the national average).
What is the 50/30/20 rule for rent?
The 50/30/20 budget can be a helpful tool to help determine how much to spend on rent as it allocates your take-home pay (after taxes) into three categories:
- 50% Needs. Rent, utilities, groceries, insurance, and minimum debt payments should comprise approximately half of your expenses. If how much you spend on rent, utilities, and the other needs in this category exceeds 60% you’ll either need to make substantial adjustments to other expenditures covered below or consider another location
- 30% Wants. Entertainment, dining out, and hobbies are essential to a well-rounded life. This area can be more flexible for some as it can (and should be!) the first to be adjusted when a home or apartment causes your needs category to exceed 50%.
- 20% Savings & Debt. Emergency funds, retirement savings, and additional debt payments are necessary for future needs. While you can tweak this a bit, be careful, as subtracting too much from this area can cause setbacks in the future.
How Much to Spend on Rent: An Example Budget
Let’s revisit our $4000-per-month income example. If you have high “needs” expenses, like:
- Student loan: $200/month
- Car payment: $350/month
- Car insurance: $125/month
- Groceries: $300/month
These total $925, which would leave $1175 for how much you should spend on rent and utilities. With some small adjustments this would allow for a comfortable living situation in many areas. However, in some markets, this wouldn’t be nearly enough especially if you’re attempting to live within the confines of the 50/30/20 rule.
Embrace Flexibility When Thinking About How Much You Should Spend On Rent
Instead of forcing a square peg into a round hole, consider your unique situation. Here’s when you might need to adjust your rent budget:
- Maintain savings goals. Saving for a down payment like buying a home or a big expense? Prioritize savings and find a cheaper apartment to help reach these goals sooner.
- Avoid unstable living situations. Sometimes, spending more on rent for a safe and secure place is necessary. Try to look up crime reports for the specific area you’re seeking and spend some time observing the area at different times of day.
- Consider work relocation factors. Moving closer to work can improve your quality of life, even if it means a higher rent. Conversely, moving further away and paying more for extra space might be worth it, depending on your needs.
- Look into local school systems. If you have children and plan on using the public school system, your address usually determines where your child can enroll. Not only should you consider the quality of the system as you calculate how much to spend on rent, but other factors like transportation, after-school activities, and other things that impact your child’s experience.
Other Factors Tied to Location
Where you live impacts more than just your commute and the rent you pay. Consider these additional cost factors when thinking about how much to spend on rent:
- City vs suburbs. Living further away from work can either be more or less expensive, but don’t forget to factor in traveling time and costs. Some commutes can put you through daily misery, so assess your travel time before fully vesting in a location.
- Utility inclusions. Some rentals include utilities, which can save money or at least offer some degree of convenience. Keep in mind that there can be some limitations, and in some apartment units, this can limit a tenant’s ability to control the temperature.
- Where you shop. Added travel time to shop at your preferred shopping locations can be a hassle for some. Make sure to either find alternatives or adjust when you do your errands (e.g., buy groceries for the month instead of visiting the store every few days).
Cutting Costs Beyond Rent
Once you’ve locked into a rental agreement or lease, you should expect to pay the same amount every month for the duration of the contract. While rental payments are mostly rigid, you should explore other ways to free up cash within your budget:
- Negotiate bills. Shop around for different services and take advantage of bundles. For example, if Xfinity internet isn’t hitting your bottom line look into AT&T or other providers. Try to find providers that provide discounts or perks when purchasing multiple services like home and mobile internet.
- Shop around for insurance. Like phone and internet, compare car insurance rates to find the best deal. Because most property owner insurance won’t cover your possessions in the event of a catastrophe, renters insurance should be a priority. Look for companies like Progressive or Lemonade that offer discounts for auto and renter bundles.
- Smart grocery shopping. Use coupons, sales, and meal planning to stretch your grocery budget. You can also take advantage of services like Aldi’s curbside pickup to help save time or look into the many grocery delivery services around the web.
- Consider a roommate. Sharing an apartment or house with roommates can significantly reduce how much you spend on rent. It should go without saying, but make sure your roommate is someone you trust and can talk to in the event a conflict arises. For best results, put together a roommate agreement so everyone is clear on expectations.
- Move-in deals. Landlords might offer promotions like a free month’s rent or reduced deposits on certain occasions. Keep in mind that these are finite deals but, you may be able to negotiate for lower rent if you’re willing to sign a longer lease.
By following these tips you can find a balance between affording rent and saving for your future. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to “how much should you spend on rent?” So be flexible and adapt your strategy to your unique circumstances.
