How strict are apartments concerning income requirements?

That's a very minimal requirement. Actually, you need to make 4 times income to really afford a place. The landlord has set that limit to screen out those who are foolish and/or seriously cannot afford the unit and will have severe financial problems if they rent it. If you do not earn at least 3x monthly rent, do not get the place. You cannot afford it and you will have major financial problems if you are foolish enough to try to rent anything that costs that much.

Call the apartment and ask. Most places require 3x the rent in gross income, so even if your take home pay doesn't qualify, you might qualify based on your income before taxes and medical insurance deductions etc. Just call and ask. Some places won't budge if you're a penny short. Other places use it as a guideline but will be flexible based on your credit score and other factors. If they say the rule is firm, then don't bother applying because you'd be wasting the application fee. If there is some room to budge, then look for ways to convince the manager that you can afford the rent.

It kinda depends on your credit. I have very good credit, but I'm trying to make my way through college, so I don't have a very good paying job. We still had to write down how much we were making and we had to show that we were making at least 3x the amount every month. We had to stretch what me made on paper and include some little things, like my wife baby sitting every now and then, which hasn't happened. My point is that because my credit is good, they didn't follow up on any of my sources of income. That being said, I would be very careful about renting something that costs more than 1/3rd or your gross income. Don't forget that you have to pay power bills, groceries, cable (if you want it), and so on. I made a lot of sacrifices when I moved in here, but I wanted a safe place for my family, so it's worth it. We can't afford to eat out, we don't have cable, the apartment is often way too cold or way too hot to save on power, we drive older cars, we don't go out on dates, etc. You should make out some kind of budget before you get started and see where all of your money will go. You may decide that you don't even have all the money for it.

That is pretty standard, as you are unlikely to be able to pay if you earn less. The complex is unlikely to skip this requirement. If they do one they have to do everyone or face discrimination charges. They can not have one set of requirements for some people and another set for other people.

Go on craigslist.com You're much more likely to find an "independent" owner rather than a large 'we have to follow this exact set of rules" type place. I could care less what someones income is. If they pay their deposit (1 months rent) and pay their rent on time, they could make 1x the rent amount and it's not my concern. But if you REALLY want that place... Just tell the owner/manager you really like it and are willing to put up a deposit as well as first/last. That should make them feel safe.

You don't say where the property is located, but in my area most apartment complexes require a combined monthly GROSS income equal to 3X the rent. So that is your income before taxes. Does that help you to qualify? If not, then you can see if they will make an exemption in your case. If the apartment has been vacant for a while, they may negotiate on the rent. If the apartment is privately owned, the owner may be more flexible than a large company that owns several complexes. Those have to show that they are fairly imposing the qualifying criteria to all prospective tenants.

And if you pay more how will you pay the utilities? And your other living costs? And your savings? Do you have a six month rainy day fund cushion?