Calculate your Rent-to-Income Ratio (RIR) and find out if your housing costs are at a healthy level. Enter your income, rent, deposit, and maintenance fee to get a diagnosis, budget breakdown, and tips to reduce housing cost burden.
This calculator is for reference only and does not replace professional financial advice. Age group and regional comparison figures are estimates based on statistical data. Government support programs have eligibility requirements — always verify before applying.
Low-interest government-backed deposit loans for youth and newlyweds can significantly reduce monthly rent costs.
Non-homeowner households earning under 70M KRW/year can deduct 10–12% of rent (up to 7.5M KRW/year).
Households below 48% of median income may qualify for monthly housing benefit subsidies from the government.
Happiness Housing, National Rental, and other public housing options are available at 60–80% of market rates.
Under the Housing Lease Protection Act, you can limit rent increases to 5% when renewing your contract.
If housing exceeds 30% of income, reduce other fixed costs like dining or phone bills to restore balance.
Choose gross (pre-tax) or net (after-tax) income. Net income is recommended for a more accurate picture of disposable income burden.
Input monthly income, rent, security deposit, and maintenance fee. The deposit is converted to a monthly opportunity cost.
Click Calculate to see your RIR and total housing cost ratio displayed on a color-coded gauge.
Review the suggested budget breakdown and cost-reduction tips to plan your finances.
RIR is the percentage of monthly income spent on housing costs. A ratio of 30% or below is generally considered sustainable by international standards (UN Habitat, OECD).
The deposit is treated as an opportunity cost: Deposit × Annual Rate ÷ 12. For example, a 10M KRW deposit at 4% annual rate equals about 33,000 KRW/month.
Net (after-tax) income gives a more realistic picture of your actual financial burden, as it reflects what you actually take home.
First explore government-subsidized loans, housing benefits, and public rental housing. Short-term, claim the monthly rent tax deduction (10–12%) to lower your effective cost.
Yes. Maintenance fees are a necessary housing expense. This calculator includes rent + deposit opportunity cost + maintenance fee as total housing cost.
The Rent-to-Income Ratio (RIR) measures housing cost as a share of household income. UN Habitat and OECD classify households spending more than 30% of disposable income on housing as "housing cost overburdened." In South Korea, youth renters in Seoul average an RIR approaching 30%, with significant pressure on single-person households. A comprehensive housing cost measure should include rent, deposit opportunity cost, maintenance fees, and utilities.
South Korea operates several housing cost support programs. Government-backed deposit loans for youth and newlyweds offer 1–2% interest rates. The housing benefit program supports low-income households below 48% of median income with monthly rent subsidies. The monthly rent tax deduction allows eligible non-homeowners earning under 70M KRW/year to recover 10–12% of rent (capped at 7.5M KRW annually). Public rental housing programs like Happiness Housing are priced at 60–80% of market rate.
Financial advisors often recommend the 50/30/20 rule: 50% of income for necessities, 30% for discretionary spending, and 20% for savings. Keeping housing below 25% of income leaves room for food, transport, insurance, and other necessities. A higher housing burden reduces savings capacity and long-term financial resilience, making regular rent burden checks and proactive housing decisions essential for financial health.