Roommate Rent Split Calculator
Split rent based on income when roommates do not earn the same amount. You will see an equal split next to a fair share tied to each salary.
Enter rent and at least two incomes
Results update as you type. Incomes can be yearly salaries.
How to split rent based on income
Add up every roommate's yearly income. Each person then pays the same percentage of the rent as their percentage of that total. The calculator uses exactly this formula:
Your share = total rent × (your income ÷ everyone's income combined)
A worked example
Alex earns $60,000 and Sam earns $40,000. Their apartment is $2,400 a month. Together they earn $100,000, so Alex earns 60% of the household income and Sam earns 40%.
| Roommate | Equal split | Income split | Rent as % of gross pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex ($60,000) | $1,200 | $1,440 | 24.0% equal · 28.8% by income |
| Sam ($40,000) | $1,200 | $960 | 36.0% equal · 28.8% by income |
Split equally, Sam spends 36% of gross pay on rent, which is above HUD's 30% cost-burden line, while Alex spends 24%. Split by income, both spend 28.8%. That is the real argument for an income split: the same apartment costs each person the same share of what they earn.
Other fair ways to split
- Equal split. Simplest, and it works well when incomes are within a few thousand dollars of each other.
- By room size. Split shared space equally, then charge more for the bigger bedroom, a private bathroom, or a parking spot.
- Hybrid. Agree on a premium for the better room first, then split the rest by income. This handles both differences at once.
Whatever you choose, many leases make every tenant on the lease responsible for the full rent if someone moves out. A short written agreement about shares, bills, and move-out notice protects everyone. The roommate budget guide covers shared bills in more detail.
Common questions
Is it fair to split rent by income?
It is one fair option, not the only one. An income split means each person spends the same share of their pay on rent. An equal split treats the apartment as a shared product with one price. Pick the method you both agree on before you sign the lease.
How do you split rent by income with three roommates?
Add all three incomes together, then divide each income by that total. Each person pays that percentage of the rent. With incomes of $50,000, $30,000, and $20,000, the shares are 50%, 30%, and 20%.
Should utilities be split by income too?
Many households split fixed bills like internet the same way they split rent. Usage-based bills like electricity are often split equally, because each person uses them. Write down whatever you decide.
This estimate is for planning a household budget. It is not legal or financial advice. Read the full guide on rent affordability for roommates, or check what you can personally afford with the rent affordability calculator.
Paid hourly? See rent from your wage