Last updated: May 2026
How we calculate your estimates
Our calculators use the numbers you enter and the formulas below. The Rent Readiness Score is our own planning model; it is not a credit score or a prediction of rental approval.
Income and rent comparisons
- Gross monthly income = annual income ÷ 12.
- Hourly annual income = hourly pay × hours per week × paid weeks per year. The hourly examples start with 40 hours and 52 paid weeks; you can change them.
- At 3x monthly rent, required monthly income = rent × 3, and required annual income = rent × 36. The 2.5x and 3.5x examples use the same calculation with those multiples.
- The 30% housing-cost comparison = gross monthly income × 0.30. It covers rent and utilities together, so separately paid utilities reduce the amount available for rent.
Screening requirements belong to the property manager. The Apartments.com tenant screening guide describes a three-times-rent income example. HUD's cost-burden definition includes utilities in housing costs. Neither source validates our readiness score.
Move-in costs and savings
The move-in calculator adds the deposit, first rent payment if selected, last month's rent if selected, entered fees, moving and setup costs, and the emergency buffer you choose. Savings gap = the larger of total costs minus current savings, or zero. A surplus is current savings minus costs, when positive.
There is no assumed deposit amount in the standalone calculator. The worked moving-out guide uses clearly labeled example costs. Confirm actual amounts, payment dates, and local requirements before relying on a budget.
The readiness score uses a separate, simpler savings comparison of three months' rent. That is an assumption in our model, not a quote for your move or a requirement from a landlord. Use the detailed move-in calculator for actual line items.
Download the move-in planning checklistRoommate rent splits
Equal splits divide rent by the number of roommates. Income-based splits allocate rent according to each person's share of combined income. Room-size splits use each room's share of the total scores you enter. Whole-dollar shares are rounded and adjusted so they add up to the rounded rent total. The method is an option for discussion; roommates choose their agreement.
How the Rent Readiness Score is weighted
The score adds five categories and is capped at 100. Income and savings points use the highest threshold met. These weights and thresholds are choices made for this site. The score has not been calibrated against landlord decisions.
| Category | Maximum | Points awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Income vs rent | 40 | Monthly income / rent: 3x or more = 40; 2.5x = 32; 2x = 22; 1.5x = 12; below 1.5x = 5. |
| Savings | 25 | At least three months' rent = 25; two months = 18; one month = 10; below one month = 4. |
| Monthly debt | 15 | Debt / gross monthly income: up to 10% = 15; up to 20% = 11; up to 30% = 7; above 30% = 3. |
| Co-signer support | 10 | Yes = 10; not sure = 5; no = 0. |
| Other planning factors | 10 | Roommate: yes = 4, not sure = 2, no = 0. Self-reported credit: strong = 4, average = 2, prefer not to say = 1, limited or rebuilding = 0. Timeframe: 3+ months or exploring = 2, 1–3 months = 1, this month = 0. |
Labels are “Rent Ready” at 85–100, “Nearly There” at 70–84, “Needs Preparation” at 50–69, and “High Support Needed” below 50. A high score does not establish approval or that rent fits your take-home budget.
The homepage quick score assumes no roommate, average credit confidence, and a move in 1–3 months. Change those in the full assessment.
Who maintains the calculations
RentReadyCheck is maintained by the developer behind the public aj002b/rentreadycheck project. Calculation logic and automated tests can be inspected there. Send corrections to hello@rentreadycheck.com, including the tool, example inputs, and expected result.
Reviewed 7 October 2026. Monetary examples generally round to whole dollars; calculations use unrounded figures where available.