Explain my result
Understanding your Housing Affordability Calculator result
The verdict tells you whether housing fits comfortably within common guidance. Here is how the ratio is built and what to do with it.
How the ratio works
It divides your monthly housing cost (rent plus any included utilities) by your income. Under ~30% is commonly called comfortable, 30–40% stretched, and above 40% high pressure. Rent comes from cited city midpoints by room type — not live listings.
What move-in cash means
Beyond monthly rent, the tool estimates the deposit and first month you need up front, using cited deposit rules. Where a market has no formula, it asks for your lease deposit rather than inventing one.
How to act
If you are stretched, test a cheaper room type or a different neighbourhood band, or compare cities. Confirm the exact deposit cap and rent with a local agent before you commit.
Honesty & sources
Room-type multipliers are planning bands — not property listings.
What to do next
- Try the neighbourhood budget fit tool for cheaper areas.
- Compare the same salary across two cities.