A common guideline is to keep rent around 30% of your take-home pay, but the honest version is: add up ALL the costs of a place (rent, utilities, internet, renters insurance, commute) and make sure everything still fits your budget with savings left over.
Do the whole-cost math
- Rent — the obvious one.
- Utilities — electric, gas, water, trash (ask the landlord for averages).
- Internet — and any parking or pet fees.
- Renters insurance — cheap, often required.
- Commute — gas/transit; a cheaper place that's far can cost more.
Don't forget move-in costs
Budget for first month's rent, sometimes last month's, plus a security deposit — often 2–3x the monthly rent just to get the keys, before you buy a single thing for the place.
Cheaper and boring beats gorgeous and stressful. Leave yourself room to save and have a life — the apartment shouldn't eat your whole paycheck.
Common questions
Is the 30% rule a hard limit?
No — it's a starting point. High-rent cities push higher; the real test is whether your full budget (including savings) still works.
Should I get a roommate?
It's the fastest way to cut your biggest expense. Just put the arrangement in writing first.