Rent6ix

GTA rent calculator

What rent can you actually afford?

Landlords look at rent alone. You pay hydro, internet and transit on top of it — so this works those out first, then tells you the rent that still leaves room for everything else.

Your monthly income

Before tax, for the household that will pay the rent.

$

Utilities on top of rent

Pick the building type, then tick only what your lease makes you pay.

  • Hydro (electricity)

    One-bedroom condo, own meter

    $

  • Heat & water

    Usually inside the condo fees

    $

  • Internet

    Basic home plan

    $

  • Mobile phone

    Single line

    $

Utilities total: $170

Getting around

The TTC dropped monthly passes on Aug 31, 2026 and now caps a month of riding at 47 paid trips.

$

TTC figure is the fare cap: 47 paid trips at $3.30. The GO portion is a typical commuter estimate, so edit it to match your own fare.

Maximum recommended rent

$1,475

That keeps total shelter costs at 30% of your income.

Shelter budget (30% of income)
$1,800
Minus utilities
−$170
Minus transit
−$155
Maximum recommended rent
$1,475

For comparison, a landlord screening at 35% of income would consider rent up to $2,100 — but they look at rent alone, while your utilities and transit take $325 a month out of what is left. Ontario rules (O. Reg. 290/98) also require a landlord to weigh credit references or rental history alongside income, so a high ratio is not an automatic no.

Check a specific listing

$

35.4% of your income goes to shelter once utilities and transit are added.

Over the 30% guideline by $325 a month. Ask for a rent reduction, a cheaper unit, or a roommate to close the gap.

Rent6ix is not financial or legal advice. Confirm which utilities the lease includes before you sign.

The 30% shelter line

CMHC calls a place affordable when rent, utilities and taxes stay under 30% of before-tax income. Above that, groceries and savings are the first things squeezed.

What Ontario lets a landlord ask

Many landlords screen with a 25-35% rent-to-income guideline, but under O. Reg. 290/98 they must weigh credit references or rental history alongside income — a high ratio is not an automatic no.

Transit since Sept 2026

The TTC retired monthly passes on Aug 31, 2026. Paying with the same card now caps a month of riding at 47 paid trips, about $155, so a downtown unit's transit cost is predictable.

Figures are typical GTA estimates as of October 2026 and are general information, not financial or legal advice. Confirm which utilities your lease includes before you sign.