Affordable Rent by State
Legend for Rent/Income ratios
25-28% 29-30% 31‑32% 33‑34% 35‑37%
You can compare the cost of living and employment in each state. Conditions may change in the economy and housing market of a state since the census data we use is from the latest five year community survey from 2021. Use the information for ideas on where to look and investigate further for states that maybe of interest to you. We are showing you monthly figures for median rent to renters median household income.
2021 United States Median Rent
| Location | Monthly Rent | Household Income | Rent / Income | *2021 Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $1,163 | $3,717 | 31.3% | 5.3% |
Source: US Census Bureau - ACS 5 Yr 2021
*Bureau of Labor Statistics - Annual Unemployment Average for 2021
*Bureau of Labor Statistics - Annual Unemployment Average for 2021
2021 Median Rent to Income by State
| Rank | State | Monthly Rent | Household Income | Rent / Income | *2021 Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $853 | $3,507 | 24.3% | 3.7% |
| 2 | South Dakota | $809 | $3,222 | 25.1% | 3.1% |
| 3 | Nebraska | $909 | $3,453 | 26.3% | 2.5% |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $916 | $3,432 | 26.7% | 3.8% |
| 5 | Wyoming | $878 | $3,292 | 26.7% | 4.5% |
| 6 | Iowa | $845 | $3,131 | 27.0% | 4.2% |
| 7 | Kansas | $912 | $3,357 | 27.2% | 3.2% |
| 8 | Montana | $886 | $3,243 | 27.3% | 3.4% |
| 9 | Alaska | $1,279 | $4,664 | 27.4% | 6.4% |
| 10 | Idaho | $952 | $3,430 | 27.8% | 3.6% |
| 11 | Oklahoma | $862 | $3,100 | 27.8% | 3.8% |
| 12 | Ohio | $870 | $3,051 | 28.5% | 5.1% |
| 13 | Utah | $1,171 | $4,103 | 28.5% | 2.7% |
| 14 | Missouri | $886 | $3,093 | 28.6% | 4.4% |
| 15 | Arkansas | $803 | $2,797 | 28.7% | 4.0% |
| 16 | Kentucky | $826 | $2,870 | 28.8% | 4.7% |
| 17 | Indiana | $891 | $3,012 | 29.6% | 3.6% |
| 18 | Minnesota | $1,081 | $3,638 | 29.7% | 3.4% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $1,212 | $4,040 | 30.0% | 3.5% |
| 20 | North Carolina | $988 | $3,285 | 30.1% | 4.8% |
| 21 | Tennessee | $951 | $3,161 | 30.1% | 4.3% |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $1,013 | $3,342 | 30.3% | 6.3% |
| 23 | Arizona | $1,172 | $3,858 | 30.4% | 4.9% |
| 24 | Illinois | $1,097 | $3,592 | 30.5% | 6.1% |
| 25 | Texas | $1,146 | $3,762 | 30.5% | 5.7% |
| 26 | Virginia | $1,326 | $4,342 | 30.5% | 3.9% |
| 27 | Maine | $927 | $3,021 | 30.7% | 4.6% |
| 28 | New Mexico | $897 | $2,903 | 30.9% | 6.8% |
| 29 | District of Columbia | $1,681 | $5,387 | 31.2% | 6.6% |
| 30 | Washington | $1,439 | $4,612 | 31.2% | 5.2% |
| 31 | Michigan | $946 | $3,021 | 31.3% | 5.9% |
| 32 | Alabama | $852 | $2,690 | 31.7% | 3.4% |
| 33 | Delaware | $1,199 | $3,783 | 31.7% | 5.3% |
| 34 | South Carolina | $970 | $3,064 | 31.7% | 4.0% |
| 35 | Georgia | $1,110 | $3,489 | 31.8% | 3.9% |
| 36 | Nevada | $1,238 | $3,885 | 31.9% | 7.2% |
| 37 | Rhode Island | $1,097 | $3,440 | 31.9% | 5.6% |
| 38 | Oregon | $1,250 | $3,912 | 32.0% | 5.2% |
| 39 | Vermont | $1,070 | $3,328 | 32.2% | 3.4% |
| 40 | New Jersey | $1,436 | $4,442 | 32.3% | 6.3% |
| 41 | Colorado | $1,437 | $4,424 | 32.5% | 5.4% |
| 42 | Maryland | $1,485 | $4,560 | 32.6% | 5.8% |
| 43 | Hawaii | $1,755 | $5,297 | 33.1% | 5.7% |
| 44 | West Virginia | $770 | $2,324 | 33.1% | 5.0% |
| 45 | New York | $1,390 | $4,140 | 33.6% | 6.9% |
| 46 | Mississippi | $830 | $2,458 | 33.8% | 5.6% |
| 47 | Connecticut | $1,260 | $3,714 | 33.9% | 6.3% |
| 48 | Massachusetts | $1,429 | $4,220 | 33.9% | 5.7% |
| 49 | California | $1,698 | $4,961 | 34.2% | 7.3% |
| 50 | Florida | $1,301 | $3,678 | 35.4% | 4.6% |
| 51 | Louisiana | $923 | $2,556 | 36.1% | 5.5% |
Source: US Census Bureau - ACS 5 Yr 2021
*Bureau of Labor Statistics - Annual Unemployment Average for 2021
*Bureau of Labor Statistics - Annual Unemployment Average for 2021
