How to use this calculator
- Enter the Total monthly rent.
- Fill in Person 1 income to Person 4 income; leave unused rows at 0.
- Read the Equal split per person and the Rent as a share of combined income.
- Open the table to see each person's Share by income in dollars and as a percentage of the rent.
Two ways to split rent
An equal split is the simplest: rent divided by the number of people. It works well when incomes and rooms are similar. A proportional split gives each person the same share of rent relative to income, so a higher earner pays more in dollars but everyone feels the same burden.
Person's share = rent · own income ÷ combined income- rent = total monthly rent
- own income = that person's monthly income (same period for everyone)
- combined income = sum of all entered incomes
- Equal split = rent ÷ number of people with income entered
Rooms are rarely identical, so the numbers are a starting point. You can adjust for room size or a private bathroom after seeing both options.
Example: $2,400 rent, two incomes
Person 1 earns $4,000 a month and Person 2 earns $3,000. Combined income is $7,000, so rent is 34.29% of it. An equal split is $1,200 each.
By income, Person 1 pays $1,371.43 (57.14%) and Person 2 pays $1,028.57 (42.86%). The difference is $171.43 each, but both spend the same 34.29% of income on rent.
Adding a third roommate
If a third person earning $2,000 joins and rent stays $2,400, the equal split falls to $800. By income the shares become $1,066.67, $800.00 and $533.33, or 44.44%, 33.33% and 22.22%. Rent is now only 26.67% of combined income, which gives everyone more room.
Zero income does not mean zero rent. If someone has no income, such as a student with family support, agree a fixed amount first and split the remainder by income.
Checking that the rent is affordable
A common rule of thumb is to keep housing near 30% of income, but it is a guideline and depends on the city and other debts. Compare your own share with the budget calculator, and think about utilities, internet and renters insurance, which come on top.
If you are considering buying instead, try the rent vs buy calculator.
Assumptions and limits
The calculator uses the incomes you type without checking them and does not account for room size, shared utilities, security deposits or who is on the lease. It assumes every income covers the same period. Use after-tax income for all or for none of the people so the shares are consistent.
Agree the arrangement in writing, especially when the lease makes everyone jointly liable.
Frequently asked questions
Is it fair to split rent by income?
Many couples and roommates think so because it gives everyone a similar financial burden. It is a matter of agreement; an equal split is just as valid if everyone is comfortable.
How do I split rent when rooms are different sizes?
Start with an equal or income-based split, then move a fixed amount from the person with the larger room or private bathroom to the others.
Should I use gross or net income?
Either works, but use the same basis for everyone. Net income is closer to what people can actually spend.
How much of my income should go to rent?
A common guideline is around 30%, but it varies. Look at your whole budget, including debts and savings.
What if one roommate has no income?
Agree a fixed contribution for that person first, then divide the rest by income among the others. Leaving them at 0 in the calculator means they are left out of the split.