How Many Rentals Do You Need to Retire? | Beyond Just Numbers
Beyond Just Numbers
How Many Rentals Do You Need to Retire?
Real financial freedom starts with one honest question: how much does your life actually cost? This calculator helps you build three budget scenarios, then tells you exactly how many rental units and how much capital you need to cover them.
⏱ Takes about 5 minutes
Find out exactly how many rentals stand between you and financial freedom.
Most investors set income goals based on a number they saw on Instagram. This calculator is different. It starts with your actual life, what it costs to live it, then works backwards to show you exactly how many doors you need and how much capital it takes to get there.
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Build your real FI budgetEnter your actual monthly expenses across three scenarios: the minimum you need, the life you want, and your dream version. No guessing.
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Get your portfolio targetSee exactly how many rental units you need, based on real cash flow assumptions that match your market and strategy.
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Download your full planUnlock a complete breakdown you can export to Excel, save, and refer back to as your portfolio grows.
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Your data stays on your device. Nothing you enter here is stored, tracked, or sent anywhere. This calculator runs entirely in your browser. The only thing we collect is your email when you choose to unlock your results.
Step 01 — Define Your Financial Independence Budget
How this works
We’ve pre-filled sample values to get you started quickly. Adjust any number to match your real life. Lean is the bare minimum you need. Mid is comfortable with no stress. Fat is your dream life with nothing held back. Use the “Copy column” buttons if expenses are similar across scenarios. When done, move to Step 2 then unlock your results in Step 3.
ExpenseLeanMidFat
Copy column:
Household Fixed Expenses
Mortgage or Rent
Lean
Mid
Fat
Water & Sewer
Lean
Mid
Fat
Telephone
Lean
Mid
Fat
Internet
Lean
Mid
Fat
Electricity
Lean
Mid
Fat
Gas
Lean
Mid
Fat
Home Warranty
Lean
Mid
Fat
Trash
Lean
Mid
Fat
Subtotal$0$0$0
Other Fixed Expenses
Health Insurance
Lean
Mid
Fat
Car Insurance
Lean
Mid
Fat
Car Payment
Lean
Mid
Fat
Other Fixed
Lean
Mid
Fat
Subtotal$0$0$0
Variable Expenses
Groceries
Lean
Mid
Fat
Pets
Lean
Mid
Fat
Transportation
Lean
Mid
Fat
Vacation
Lean
Mid
Fat
Restaurants
Lean
Mid
Fat
Entertainment
Lean
Mid
Fat
Shopping & Personal Care
Lean
Mid
Fat
Other Variable
Lean
Mid
Fat
Subtotal$0$0$0
Loans, Savings & Investments
Student Loans
Lean
Mid
Fat
Other Investments
Lean
Mid
Fat
Other Savings
Lean
Mid
Fat
Subtotal$0$0$0
Total Monthly
Lean$0
Mid$0
Fat$0
Total Annual
Lean$0
Mid$0
Fat$0
Step 02 — Set Your Portfolio Assumptions
How to use this
These numbers should reflect your market and strategy. Long-term rentals may average around $150-$300 per door, while STRs/MTRs can reach $1,000+. Cash-on-cash (CoC) determines capital needed. Higher returns mean less cash required. A 10-15% CoC is typical, higher with the BRRRR method.
Cash Flow Assumptions
Enter the average monthly cash flow you expect per rental unit, and your target cash-on-cash return. These two numbers drive everything.
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Step 03 — Your Real Estate Retirement Plan
Avg Cash Flow / Door / Month
$150
Cash-on-Cash Return
10%
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Your Retirement Plan is Ready
Enter your email to unlock:
✓ Your units needed across all 3 scenarios
✓ Total capital required to reach each target
✓ Your full breakdown to export to Excel
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