Salary needed for rent in the UK
Find the monthly take-home pay you need for any rent from £450 to £3,000.
Pick a rent amount to see what you need to earn at each level, which cities match it and what letting agents may ask for. Or start from your salary instead.
| Monthly rent | Comfortable (28%) | Guideline (30%) |
|---|---|---|
| £450 | £1,608 | £1,500 |
| £500 | £1,786 | £1,667 |
| £550 | £1,965 | £1,834 |
| £600 | £2,143 | £2,000 |
| £650 | £2,322 | £2,167 |
| £700 | £2,500 | £2,334 |
| £750 | £2,679 | £2,500 |
| £800 | £2,858 | £2,667 |
| £850 | £3,036 | £2,834 |
| £900 | £3,215 | £3,000 |
| £950 | £3,393 | £3,167 |
| £1,000 | £3,572 | £3,334 |
| £1,100 | £3,929 | £3,667 |
| £1,200 | £4,286 | £4,000 |
| £1,300 | £4,643 | £4,334 |
| £1,400 | £5,000 | £4,667 |
| £1,500 | £5,358 | £5,000 |
| £1,600 | £5,715 | £5,334 |
| £1,700 | £6,072 | £5,667 |
| £1,800 | £6,429 | £6,000 |
| £1,900 | £6,786 | £6,334 |
| £2,000 | £7,143 | £6,667 |
| £2,100 | £7,500 | £7,000 |
| £2,200 | £7,858 | £7,334 |
| £2,300 | £8,215 | £7,667 |
| £2,400 | £8,572 | £8,000 |
| £2,500 | £8,929 | £8,334 |
| £2,600 | £9,286 | £8,667 |
| £2,700 | £9,643 | £9,000 |
| £2,800 | £10,000 | £9,334 |
| £2,900 | £10,358 | £9,667 |
| £3,000 | £10,715 | £10,000 |
All figures are monthly take-home pay needed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out the salary I need for my rent?
Divide your monthly rent by the share of take-home pay you want to spend on it. At the usual 30% guideline, divide by 0.30. For example, £1,000 rent needs about £3,334 a month take-home. At a more comfortable 28% it is about £3,572.
Is the table based on gross or take-home pay?
Take-home pay, which is what lands in your bank account after tax and National Insurance. Letting agents usually check gross salary instead, often asking for about 30 times the monthly rent a year.
What if I earn less than the table suggests?
Consider a house or flat share, a cheaper area, or a guarantor. Our city pages show where rents are lower, and the affordability calculator shows how much you would have left each month.
Related guides
How Much Rent Should I Pay in the UK? The 30% Rule Explained
Most people pay rent and hope for the best. The 30% rule gives you an actual benchmark — and understanding it could save you from financial stress.
The Hidden Costs of Renting in the UK That Catch Tenants Off Guard
You've found a flat within your budget. Then the bills arrive. Here's a complete breakdown of the costs renters regularly underestimate.
Figures are indicative averages for 2026/27, rounded for planning, and are for information only. They are not financial, legal or housing advice. See our methodology for how the figures are produced. Last reviewed October 2026.