How much rent can I afford making $15 an hour?

$15 an hour is $31,200 a year before tax at 40 hours a week. The 30% rule gives a maximum rent of $780 a month including utilities; a landlord who requires income of 3× the rent will accept up to $866. That covers HUD's FY2027 one-bedroom Fair Market Rent in 829 of 3,229 counties and the two-bedroom in 78.

Data: HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents (effective October 1, 2026), FY2026 income limits (effective May 1, 2026). Spot-checked against the official sources on November 5, 2026 (results). Last site change: November 8, 2026 (changelog).

Large metro counties where $15 an hour covers the Fair Market Rent

Of the 100 most populous metropolitan counties, $15 an hour covers the one-bedroom FMR in 0 and the two-bedroom FMR in 0 under the 30% rule.

Lowest one-bedroom Fair Market Rents among large metro counties

The most expensive large counties for comparison: San Francisco County, CA (1 BR $3,003); San Mateo County, CA (1 BR $3,003); Santa Clara County, CA (1 BR $2,778); Kings County, NY (1 BR $2,729); Queens County, NY (1 BR $2,729).

Counties by state

Fair Market Rent = HUD's estimate of the 40th-percentile gross rent (rent plus utilities) paid by recent movers, most populous FMR area per county. Asking rents for vacant apartments are often higher. Income before taxes; the 30% rule is a guideline, not a qualification rule.

Try your own numbers in the rent affordability calculator, or see if you qualify for help with the Section 8 calculator and the income limits.

Other incomes: $16 an hour · $17 an hour · $18 an hour · $20 an hour · $22 an hour · $25 an hour · $30 an hour · $40k a year · $50k a year · $60k a year · $70k a year · $80k a year · $100k a year

Source: HUD Fair Market Rents FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) and FY2026 (revised file), details.