How Much Income Do I Need to Rent an Apartment?
The two numbers that decide your approval — and what to do if you’re between them.
The rule landlords use: 3× the rent
Nearly every professionally managed apartment in the St. Louis area screens income the same way: your gross income (before taxes) should be at least three times the monthly rent. For a $675 one-bedroom, that’s about $2,025 a month, or roughly $12 an hour full-time. For a $900 two-bedroom, it’s $2,700 a month — about $15.60 an hour full-time. Two adults on a lease can usually combine incomes to hit the number.
The rule that protects you: 30%
Qualifying is not the same as comfortable. Budget guidance says keep rent near 30% of gross income, and at lower incomes even that can feel tight once utilities are added. The gap matters: on $2,700 a month, a landlord will approve you at $900, but the 30% rule says $810. Use our affordability calculator to see both numbers for your exact pay.
What counts as income
More than you might think: wages and tips, second jobs, Social Security and SSDI/SSI, retirement income, child support you can document, VA benefits, and steady self-employment or gig income shown through bank statements. If you have a housing voucher, many properties screen the 3× rule on your portion of the rent, not the whole amount — ask each property how they calculate it.
If you fall short
You still have real options: add a co-signer with strong income, add a roommate to the lease, offer a larger deposit (Missouri allows up to two months’ rent), show savings that cover several months of rent, or target the lowest-rent quality communities — North County has professionally managed one-bedrooms starting around $675, which is one of the lowest qualifying bars in the metro. Our credit guide covers how to present a file that’s stronger than your score.