How much rent should I pay on my salary?

Aim under 30% of take-home. In expensive metros, 30–40% only works with roommates and a strict budget.

Budgeting

How much rent can I afford on my salary in India?

Rent-to-income rules for Indian freshers — 30% guideline, metro exceptions, and when a cheaper PG is the higher-ROI move.

6 min read · Updated 4 July 2026

Classic advice says keep rent under 30% of take-home. In Bangalore that can mean a box or a roommate. Do the math: rent + deposit recovery + commute must leave room for food, buffer, and SIP.

Under 30%: comfortable.
30–40%: only with roommates and strict food budget.
40%+: you are funding the landlord’s SIP, not yours.

Common questions

How much rent should I pay on my salary?: Aim under 30% of take-home. In expensive metros, 30–40% only works with roommates and a strict budget.

Try it yourself

🧩 50/30/20 budget planner 💼 Take-home salary calculator 📈 SIP calculator

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General education, not personalised financial advice. Rules and rates change — verify the current position before you act.