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How much rent is too much?
HUD counts a household as cost-burdened when housing costs, including utilities, are more than 30% of income. Slide to see where you land.
HUD's lines: over 30% is cost-burdened, over 50% is severely cost-burdened (HUD). Using take-home pay instead? That's stricter than HUD's line, and it's what our lessons suggest: aim to stay under 30% of it. It's a guide, not a rule. See Can I afford to move out? and Your first budget in 20 minutes.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development CHAS background: housing cost burden