What can I afford on a $30,000 salary?

On a $30,000 salary (24,589 after taxes), you can afford up to 750/month in rent or a 700 home, 300/month for a car payment, and should save 409/month using the 50/30/20 budget rule.

How much rent can I afford on $30,000 a year?

On a $30,000 annual salary, your monthly take-home is approximately 2,049. Following the 30% rule, your maximum rent should be 750 per month.

What is the monthly budget breakdown for a $30,000 salary?

Using the 50/30/20 rule on 2,049 monthly net income: 1,024 for needs (housing, food, utilities), 614 for wants (dining, entertainment), and 409 for savings and debt repayment.

Home Salary Guides $30,000

2026 Budget Guide

Budget on $30,000 Salary

Complete budget breakdown, take-home pay, and affordability limits for a $30,000 annual income.

Take-Home Pay

$24,589

Monthly Net

$2,049

Max Rent

$750/mo

Save Monthly

$409

50/30/20 Budget on $30,000

Needs (50%) $1,024/mo

Housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, transportation

Wants (30%) $614/mo

Dining, entertainment, subscriptions, shopping

Savings (20%) $409/mo

Emergency fund, retirement, investments

What Can You Afford on $30,000?

Maximum Rent

$750/mo

30% of gross monthly

Max Mortgage

$700/mo

28% front-end DTI

Max Car Payment

$300/mo

12% of gross (with insurance)

Emergency Fund

$12,294

6 months of expenses

How to Budget a $30,000 Salary

Earning $30,000 per year puts you at approximately $14 per hour (assuming 40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year). After federal taxes, state taxes (estimated at 5%), and FICA contributions, your take-home pay is approximately $24,589.