Split bills by income, not by half.
When one of you earns more, set a percentage once and Okto splits by it.
To split bills proportionally to income, divide each partner's income by your combined income to get a percentage, then apply it to shared costs. If rent is $2,400 and the split is 55/45, one partner pays $1,320 and the other $1,080. Okto lets a couple set that percentage split on any expense and keeps the balance on both phones.
Instead of
- a calculator at the end of the month
- a 50/50 split that feels unfair
- "it's 55% of the rent, right?"
- a spreadsheet nobody updates
Set 55/45 once. Okto does the math.
The method, with a real example
Add both incomes, then divide each by the total. If one partner earns $5,500 and the other $4,500 a month, the shares are 55% and 45%. On $2,400 rent, 55% is $1,320 and 45% is $1,080.
- Step 1: add the two incomes together
- Step 2: divide each income by that total
- Step 3: apply the percentages to shared costs
- Rent $2,400 at 55/45 becomes $1,320 and $1,080
- Re-check the percentages when incomes change
Decide which costs follow the split
Proportional does not have to mean everything. Many couples split rent and utilities by income and keep groceries or dinners equal. In Okto each expense has its own split, so you choose per cost. A shared list helps keep the conversation concrete.
- Choose equal, amounts or percentages per expense
- Keep a list of the bills you want to review together
- Put a reminder on the day rent is due
- Groceries can stay 50/50 on a different expense
Make the money talk a habit
A short check-in once a quarter keeps the split honest after a raise, a new job or a gap in work. Put it on the shared calendar so neither of you has to be the one to bring it up.
- A repeating calendar event for a money check-in
- Both partners see the same plan
- Repeating expenses like rent with Okto Plus
- Monthly stats show what you spend together with Okto Plus
Your iPhone, their Android. Same household.
- Live on both phones
- Add milk on one phone, it shows on the other a second later.
- Works offline
- The list is on your phone, even in a store with no signal.
- No ads, ever
- Okto is paid for by Okto Plus, not by your data.
- Private by design
- Only the two of you see your household. Data hosted in the EU.
Free for the two of you. Plus when you want more.
One subscription covers the whole household: if one of you subscribes, you both get Okto Plus. Okto is free during the beta.
Okto
$0
Everything you need to run the house together.
- Shared calendar with month view
- Shared groceries, reminders and lists
- Shared expenses and balances
- iPhone and Android, offline, no ads
Okto Plus 14-day free trial
$4.99 a month, or $34.99 a year
For both of you, on one subscription.
- Two-way sync with your phone's calendars (Google, iCloud)
- Rent, bills and to-dos that repeat by themselves
- Monthly stats of what you spend together
- Export your expenses
Questions, answered
How do you split bills proportionally to income?
Divide each partner's income by your combined income to get a percentage, then multiply each shared bill by that percentage. For rent of $2,400 and a 55/45 split, the shares are $1,320 and $1,080.
Is it fair to split bills by income instead of 50/50?
Fairness is a choice you make together. Proportional splits leave each person with a similar share of their income after shared costs, while 50/50 keeps things simple. Many couples use a mix.
Can Okto split an expense 60/40 or any other percentage?
Yes. When you add an expense you can pick a percentage split and set each person's share, such as 55/45 or 60/40. Okto shows the amount each person owes.
Should I base the split on gross or net income?
Either works as long as you both use the same one. Many couples use take-home pay since that is what actually pays the bills. Pick one and write it down.
Do we both need to pay Okto?
No. Okto is free, including percentage splits. Okto Plus, $4.99 a month or $34.99 a year for the whole household with a 14-day free trial, adds things like repeating expenses so rent adds itself each month.
Does Okto move the money?
No. It records the shares and the balance. You pay each other however you like, or rebalance by covering the next shared cost.
Fair, in one percentage.
Download Okto, set your split on the rent, and let both phones keep the numbers.