Cushy Index
Rent Pain Index
How much of your net income rent eats — and the salary needed to keep it comfortable.
Direct Answer
Rent pain is rent as a share of net monthly income. Below 30% is healthy; above 40% is financially stressful. These pages show the salary needed to keep rent comfortable by city.
Key Takeaways
- Keep rent under 30–35% of net income for healthy finances.
- Above 40%, rent dominates your budget and erodes savings.
- Salary-needed pages show the income that keeps rent comfortable.
Salary needed by city
The income that keeps rent comfortable.
FAQ
What is a healthy rent-to-income ratio?
Keep rent below 30% of gross or 35% of net income. Above 40% of net is financially stressful.
How do I reduce rent pain?
Either increase income, move to a cheaper area, or pick a lower-cost city — the salary-needed pages quantify each.
Calculate your Cushy Index
See your real take-home pay, income rank, rent pressure and lifestyle score.
Open the calculator →Modeled estimate. Actual results may vary.