Smart Math guide · Everyday Math

Turn a Budget into Percentages

Percent-of-income views make differently sized budgets easier to compare.

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The method

How to use it

  1. Choose a consistent income base such as take-home pay.
  2. Compute category amount ÷ income.
  3. Multiply by 100% and make sure categories are defined consistently.
Worked example

See it in action

$600 housing from $2400 take-home pay = 25%.

Check your thinking

How to verify it

0.25×2400=$600.

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