Rental Math
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DSCR Calculator

Calculate a rental property's debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) from rent and the full loan payment, and see the rent a 1.25 DSCR requires.

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Quick Answer

DSCR Calculator helps you estimate dscr of 1.21x and principal + interest of $1,996 using the assumptions on this page.

Key Takeaways

  • DSCR Calculator gives a direct estimate using the inputs shown in the calculator form.
  • DSCR lenders qualify the property instead of your personal income: they divide the monthly rent by the full monthly debt service (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA). At 7% on this loan the principal and interest portion is $1,996, bringing total debt service to $2,471 per month.
  • Many DSCR lenders look for 1.25x or higher, meaning rent covers the full loan payment with 25% to spare. Ratios from 1.00x to 1.24x are sometimes approved with a larger down payment or a higher rate, and below 1.00x the rent does not cover the payment at all. This scenario works out to 1.21x.

Calculation Output

DSCR

1.21x

Principal + Interest

$1,996

Total Monthly Debt Service (PITI + HOA)

$2,471

Annual Debt Service

$29,651

Rent Left After Debt Service

$529

Rent Needed for a 1.25 DSCR

$3,089

Result Chart

DSCR

1.21x

Principal + Interest

$1,996

Total Monthly Debt Service (PITI + HOA)

$2,471

Annual Debt Service

$29,651

Rent Left After Debt Service

$529

Key Facts

DSCR1.21x
Principal + Interest$1,996
Total Monthly Debt Service (PITI + HOA)$2,471
Annual Debt Service$29,651
Rent Left After Debt Service$529
Rent Needed for a 1.25 DSCR$3,089

How This Calculator Works

  • DSCR lenders qualify the property instead of your personal income: they divide the monthly rent by the full monthly debt service (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA). At 7% on this loan the principal and interest portion is $1,996, bringing total debt service to $2,471 per month.
  • That produces a DSCR of 1.21x, which is borderline — just under the 1.25 benchmark many DSCR lenders use, so a small rent increase or rate improvement can decide the approval.
  • After the full loan payment, $529 of the monthly rent remains before vacancy, maintenance, repairs, and management costs — it is a coverage cushion, not take-home cash flow.
  • To reach the common 1.25 benchmark on this payment, the property would need to rent for about $3,089 per month. Working the other way, the current rent supports a total monthly debt service of up to $2,400 at a 1.25 DSCR — a useful ceiling when sizing the loan or negotiating price.

FAQ

What is a good DSCR for a rental property loan?

Many DSCR lenders look for 1.25x or higher, meaning rent covers the full loan payment with 25% to spare. Ratios from 1.00x to 1.24x are sometimes approved with a larger down payment or a higher rate, and below 1.00x the rent does not cover the payment at all. This scenario works out to 1.21x.

How is DSCR calculated?

Divide the monthly rent by the total monthly debt service — principal, interest, property taxes, insurance, and HOA dues. Here that is the rent divided by $2,471, which gives 1.21x. Some lenders use annual figures, which produces the same ratio.

How much rent do I need for a 1.25 DSCR?

Multiply the total monthly debt service by 1.25. On this payment of $2,471, the property needs about $3,089 in monthly rent to reach a 1.25 DSCR.

Does a DSCR loan check my personal income?

Generally no — DSCR loans are underwritten on the property's rent coverage rather than your salary or tax returns, which is why the ratio itself matters so much. Lenders still typically check credit, the property appraisal, and rent documentation.

Is the rent left over after debt service my cash flow?

Not quite. Whatever remains after the loan payment still has to absorb vacancy, maintenance, repairs, and property management before anything is profit. Treat the leftover as a coverage cushion, and run a full cash-flow estimate before making an offer.

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