Am I paid enough for where I live

The 30% rent rule is a starting point, not a law

The widely cited idea that rent should not exceed 30% of take-home pay is a useful benchmark but not a binding rule. In London and many major cities, most renters are paying more. The useful question is whether your specific combination of pay, rent, bills, food, and transport produces a surplus or a deficit.

Essential costs vary widely by city tier

Transport, rent, and food spend look very different in central London than in a mid-size city or a rural area. A salary that creates a comfortable surplus in one place may leave nothing left over in another. The affordability check uses city tier as context rather than a hard rule.

A deficit does not always mean the salary is wrong

A monthly shortfall might reflect a temporary position, high essential costs that can be adjusted, or a mismatch between pay and location. A surplus with no savings progress may point to the same issue from the other direction. Use the tool as a starting frame for the conversation, not a verdict on your choices.