Renting Across America
Compare rental costs and affordability across all 50 states and Washington D.C. using Census, HUD, and BLS data.
National Context
National Median Rent
$1,365
National Rent Burden
30.3%
States Above 30% Burden
16 of 51
The national median gross rent is approximately $1,365 per month, and the typical US renter spends about 30.3% of household income on rent. Housing experts generally consider rent affordable when it accounts for no more than 30% of gross income.
Based on Census ACS data, 16 of 51 states have a median rent burden above the 30% affordability threshold, meaning the typical renter in those states spends more than the recommended share on housing. The remaining 35 states sit at or below the threshold. (Source: Census ACS B25071)
Most Expensive States
Highest median rent burden in the country
- 1
Florida
33.9%Median rent $1,404, median income $71,550
The typical Florida renter spends about 33.9% of household income on rent, moderately cost burdened.
- 2
Hawaii
32.9%Median rent $1,870, median income $91,218
The typical Hawaii renter spends about 32.9% of household income on rent, moderately cost burdened.
- 3
California
32.3%Median rent $1,727, median income $92,941
The typical California renter spends about 32.3% of household income on rent, moderately cost burdened.
- 4
Louisiana
32.3%Median rent $845, median income $52,383
The typical Louisiana renter spends about 32.3% of household income on rent, moderately cost burdened.
- 5
Nevada
31.5%Median rent $1,181, median income $76,938
The typical Nevada renter spends about 31.5% of household income on rent, moderately cost burdened.
Most Affordable States
Lowest median rent burden in the country
- 1
North Dakota
24.4%Median rent $723, median income $71,260
The typical North Dakota renter spends about 24.4% of household income on rent, generally considered affordable.
- 2
South Dakota
25.4%Median rent $721, median income $62,242
The typical South Dakota renter spends about 25.4% of household income on rent, near the 30% affordability threshold.
- 3
Wyoming
27.0%Median rent $927, median income $77,262
The typical Wyoming renter spends about 27.0% of household income on rent, near the 30% affordability threshold.
- 4
Wisconsin
27.0%Median rent $880, median income $69,769
The typical Wisconsin renter spends about 27.0% of household income on rent, near the 30% affordability threshold.
- 5
Kansas
27.1%Median rent $792, median income $61,086
The typical Kansas renter spends about 27.1% of household income on rent, near the 30% affordability threshold.
All 50 States and D.C.
Sort by any column or search to jump to a specific state. Click a state name to open its full rental market page.
Showing 51 of 51
| AlabamaAL | $802 | $56,242 | 29.2% | 18.3% |
| AlaskaAK | $1,031 | $64,510 | 27.8% | 39.5% |
| ArizonaAZ | $994 | $58,318 | 29.6% | 23.7% |
| ArkansasAR | $732 | $50,453 | 27.5% | 20.8% |
| CaliforniaCA | $1,727 | $92,941 | 32.3% | 17.1% |
| ColoradoCO | $1,277 | $82,941 | 31.0% | 16.4% |
| ConnecticutCT | $1,576 | $119,197 | 30.7% | 10.9% |
| DelawareDE | $1,327 | $82,872 | 29.6% | 14.7% |
| District of ColumbiaDC | $1,817 | $101,722 | 28.5% | 9.9% |
| FloridaFL | $1,404 | $71,550 | 33.9% | 18.1% |
| GeorgiaGA | $960 | $58,165 | 30.2% | 15.2% |
| HawaiiHI | $1,870 | $91,218 | 32.9% | 18.1% |
| IdahoID | $941 | $61,110 | 28.1% | 18.1% |
| IllinoisIL | $975 | $72,244 | 28.8% | 11.6% |
| IndianaIN | $877 | $66,339 | 28.7% | 12.3% |
| IowaIA | $777 | $65,363 | 27.2% | 12.0% |
| KansasKS | $792 | $61,086 | 27.1% | 18.7% |
| KentuckyKY | $886 | $64,894 | 27.6% | 13.8% |
| LouisianaLA | $845 | $52,383 | 32.3% | 18.4% |
| MaineME | $918 | $62,175 | 28.8% | 17.0% |
| MarylandMD | $1,644 | $105,883 | 30.2% | 9.6% |
| MassachusettsMA | $1,502 | $100,809 | 30.1% | 14.1% |
| MichiganMI | $881 | $62,490 | 29.6% | 16.2% |
| MinnesotaMN | $909 | $71,292 | 28.7% | 12.4% |
| MississippiMS | $774 | $47,537 | 30.2% | 17.4% |
| MissouriMO | $817 | $58,231 | 27.9% | 19.2% |
| MontanaMT | $826 | $61,491 | 27.7% | 20.7% |
| NebraskaNE | $792 | $62,576 | 27.2% | 15.7% |
| NevadaNV | $1,181 | $76,938 | 31.5% | 20.7% |
| New HampshireNH | $1,182 | $76,620 | 28.8% | 15.3% |
| New JerseyNJ | $1,728 | $111,731 | 30.4% | 10.6% |
| New MexicoNM | $911 | $61,765 | 29.7% | 25.4% |
| New YorkNY | $1,388 | $93,917 | 30.9% | 14.1% |
| North CarolinaNC | $965 | $62,449 | 29.0% | 18.6% |
| North DakotaND | $723 | $71,260 | 24.4% | 23.1% |
| OhioOH | $916 | $68,534 | 27.7% | 10.5% |
| OklahomaOK | $777 | $54,522 | 27.7% | 21.2% |
| OregonOR | $1,193 | $71,831 | 30.5% | 14.7% |
| PennsylvaniaPA | $996 | $69,797 | 28.8% | 11.2% |
| Rhode IslandRI | $1,226 | $89,886 | 29.0% | 17.0% |
| South CarolinaSC | $941 | $56,788 | 30.2% | 18.3% |
| South DakotaSD | $721 | $62,242 | 25.4% | 16.7% |
| TennesseeTN | $900 | $59,032 | 29.1% | 13.0% |
| TexasTX | $1,097 | $70,256 | 29.9% | 17.9% |
| UtahUT | $1,210 | $85,121 | 28.4% | 16.1% |
| VermontVT | $1,060 | $67,965 | 30.3% | 18.1% |
| VirginiaVA | $1,365 | $83,922 | 29.1% | 14.4% |
| WashingtonWA | $1,416 | $86,195 | 29.5% | 12.0% |
| West VirginiaWV | $777 | $50,934 | 29.5% | 20.5% |
| WisconsinWI | $880 | $69,769 | 27.0% | 12.6% |
| WyomingWY | $927 | $77,262 | 27.0% | 22.7% |
How We Measure Affordability
Rent burden is the share of a household's gross income spent on rent. Housing experts generally consider rent affordable when it accounts for no more than 30% of income. We use this benchmark throughout the site and color code every state in the table accordingly: under 25% (generally affordable), 25 to 30% (near the threshold), and over 30% (cost burdened).
State-level rent burden figures come directly from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, variable B25071_001E, which reports the median gross rent as a percentage of household income. We do not derive these values from separate rent and income figures so they match the official Census tables. (Source: Census ACS)
Median rent, median income, and vacancy rate values on the state landing table are aggregated across cities within each state using Census ACS and HUD Fair Market Rent data. Your local market may differ from the statewide figure. For bedroom-level pricing and city-specific analysis, open any state page.
Data Sources
**Data Sources:**
Data is updated periodically. Census ACS data reflects 5-year estimates. HUD Fair Market Rents are updated annually. BLS rent CPI is updated monthly.
StayRentals is not a real estate agent, landlord, or property manager. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Rent estimates are based on government data and may not reflect current market conditions. Housing laws vary by state and municipality. Consult a local tenant rights organization or attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents, U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index.
Data vintage: HUD FMR FY 2025, Census ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates, BLS CPI updated monthly. Government data may lag 1–2 years behind current market conditions.