The standard affordability rule is that rent should be no more than 30% of your take-home (after-tax) income. In Auckland and Wellington, many renters spend 35–40%. Use this calculator to find your personal threshold.
On a $70,000 salary (~$4,630/month take-home at 2026–27 tax rates), the 30% rule allows $1,389/month or $321/week in rent. Auckland's median rent for a 3-bedroom house was about $640/week in early 2025, which needs about $110,933 a year of household take-home to stay within the 30% guideline. Flatting lowers the per-person cost: two people sharing that property pay $320/week each.
Rent Affordability Calculator
NZ Median Rents by Region (2025)
| Region | Median weekly rent (3-bed house) | Take-home needed at 30% rule (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | ~$640/week | ~$110,933 |
| Wellington | ~$550/week | ~$95,333 |
| Canterbury (Christchurch) | ~$490/week | ~$84,933 |
| Hamilton | ~$470/week | ~$81,467 |
| Tauranga | ~$500/week | ~$86,667 |
| Dunedin | ~$400/week | ~$69,333 |
| Rest of NZ (regional) | ~$350–430/week | ~$60,667–$74,533 |
Source: MBIE Tenancy Bond Data, 2025 Q1. Take-home needed = weekly rent × 52 ÷ 0.30. The gross salary behind it is much higher: at 2026–27 tax rates a single earner needs about $154,000 gross to take home $110,933.
The Auckland Rent Reality
The 30% rule is a rule of thumb that comes from US housing policy. In Auckland:
- Median rent for a 3-bedroom house: ~$640/week ($2,773/month)
- At 30% rule: Requires ~$2,133/week take-home ($110,933 a year), which for a single earner means roughly $154,000 gross
- Single renter on $70,000: Can afford about $321/week at 30%: a flat or 1-bedroom, not a house
Flatting remains the primary affordability lever in Auckland. Sharing a $640/week 3-bedroom with two others means each person pays ~$213/week — well within any affordability target.
What Happens When Rent is Above 30%?
Spending 35–40% on rent is common in Auckland and Wellington, but creates financial constraints:
| Rent as % of income | After-rent budget pressure |
|---|---|
| 25% | Comfortable — good savings potential |
| 30% | Standard — manageable with discipline |
| 35% | Tight — limited savings capacity |
| 40% | Stressed — difficult to save meaningfully |
| 45%+ | Housing stress — may qualify for Accommodation Supplement |
Accommodation Supplement: WINZ provides rent assistance to low-income renters. Check eligibility at workandincome.govt.nz — maximum rates vary by region and household size.