🏠 Mortgage & Property

African Rent Affordability Calculator

How much rent can you actually afford? Factor in Africa's advance rent requirements, caution deposits, and agent fees. The 30% rule doesn't account for Nigeria's 12-month advance.

🇳🇬 Nigeria — 12 months advance 🇬🇭 Ghana — 6–24 months 🇰🇪 Kenya — 2–3 months 🇿🇦 South Africa — 1–2 months
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Rent Affordability Calculator
True move-in cost including advance rent, deposit & fees
Rent-to-Income Ratio
—%
0%30% target50%75%
Move-in Cost
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Total upfront needed
Months of Salary
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Just to move in
Max Rent (30% rule)
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International standard
Remaining Monthly
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After rent
🗝️ Move-in Cost Breakdown
AI Observation
🌍 Advance Rent by Country
CountryTypical Advance
🇳🇬 Nigeria12 months High
🇬🇭 Ghana6–24 months Very high
🇨🇲 Cameroon3–6 months Medium
🇺🇬 Uganda3–6 months Medium
🇹🇿 Tanzania1–3 months Low
🇰🇪 Kenya2–3 months Low
🇪🇬 Egypt1–3 months Low
🇷🇼 Rwanda1–2 months Low
🇿🇦 South Africa1 month Low
💡 The 30% Rule in Africa
  • The international 30% rent-to-income rule assumes you only need 1–2 months upfront. In Nigeria, you need 13–14 months
  • In Ghana, landlords often demand 1–2 years advance despite the Rent Act 2022 capping it at 6 months
  • Budget the full move-in cost before committing — many people under-budget and face crisis at move-in
  • South Africa's Rental Housing Act requires deposits to be held in an interest-bearing account and returned with interest
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