Average Rent by State [Updated May 2022] (2024)

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Hawaii

$1,651

DC

$1,607

California

$1,586

Maryland

$1,415

New Jersey

$1,368

Washington

$1,337

Massachusetts

$1,336

Colorado

$1,335

New York

$1,315

Virginia

$1,257

Alaska

$1,240

Florida

$1,218

Connecticut

$1,201

Nevada

$1,159

Delaware

$1,150

New Hampshire

$1,145

Arizona

$1,097

Utah

$1,090

Texas

$1,082

Georgia

$1,042

Illinois

$1,038

Rhode Island

$1,031

Minnesota

$1,010

Vermont

$999

Pennsylvania

$958

North Carolina

$932

South Carolina

$918

Tennessee

$897

Michigan

$892

Louisiana

$876

Maine

$873

Wisconsin

$872

Kansas

$863

Nebraska

$857

New Mexico

$857

Wyoming

$853

Indiana

$844

Missouri

$843

Montana

$836

North Dakota

$828

Ohio

$825

Oklahoma

$818

Alabama

$811

Iowa

$806

Mississippi

$789

Kentucky

$783

South Dakota

$761

Arkansas

$760

West Virginia

$732

Average Rent by State [Updated May 2022]

Housing is the single most significant expense for most households in the United States. The average household dedicates 33.1% of its budget to housing costs. When rising costs significantly outpace increased salaries, as they have done for the last few years, families feel the impact.

The average American renter pays $1,326 a month. For those looking to move, prices are even higher. The average asking rent is now $1,900 , with single-family houses averaging $2,018 a month, while a typical apartment costs an $1,659.

The Reasons for Rising Rents

Rising rents are due to a widening gap between demand and supply. First, rising home prices have priced out many would-be buyers, forcing them to remain in the rental market. According to the National Association of Realtors, first-time buyers fell to 26% in November 2021, the lowest rate since 2014. More than nine million buyers have been priced out of the market by the surge in home prices since 2022. At the same time, more people have been moving out on their own as COVID-19 restrictions ease. According to The Washington Post, "The number of U.S. households grew by 1.48 million last year."

Meanwhile, the nationwide supply of new rental units rose by just 330,000. Supply chain issues, global material shortages, and difficulties in the labor market hamper the ability to build new units to keep up with increased demand. This shortfall only exacerbates longer-term deficits in the U.S. housing market, which, according to Yardi Matrix, is between 2 and 5 million housing units short of its population's needs. The nation is in the midst of a deepening housing crisis.

The result is rising rents in every state in the country.

Rent by State

Most states have seen an increase of at least 10% in rent prices. Florida leads the nation with a 28% increase in average rental costs between 2021 and 2022. Five more states -- Arizona, Tennessee, New York, Nevada, and Utah -- saw an increase of 20% or more statewide. Only Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota saw rents increase below 10% between 2021 and 2022.

Most Expensive States

Hawaii

Hawaii has the highest average rent in the United States at $2,399 a month. The asking rent for a typical unit in Hawaii is even higher, with vacant units asking $2,850 for new renters. Average rents in Honolulu cost an average of $2,528. Hawaii also has one of the nation's highest median incomes at $80,729 annually.

California

California has the nation's second-highest rent, costing the average renter $1,844 a month. The average asking price for a vacant unit is $3,000 a month statewide. Prices are notoriously high in the state's most popular metro areas, with six California metros in the country's top ten most expensive markets. San Jose leads the pack with an average asking rent of $3,199 a month for vacant units. The average renter in the area pays $2,432 a month, a sixteen percent increase year over year. San Francisco rents average $2,111 a month, while the asking price on vacant units is $3,157 a month for new tenants. San Diego saw the sharpest increase in average rent costs in the state, with prices 20% higher than in 2021.

District of Columbia

The District of Columbia has the nation's third-highest rents, with renters paying an average of $1,785 a month. The average asking price for vacant units sits at $2,174. Notably, most residents in D.C. are renters, with rentals comprising nearly two-thirds of the housing market.

Least Expensive States

Rents are the lowest in the central United States. Only twelve states have an average rental cost below $1,000.

North Dakota has the nation's lowest average rent, at just $821 a month, a 3% increase from the previous year. Asking rents for a typical unit run $831 a month. Rents in Fargo, the state's largest city, are slightly higher at $878.

Iowa is the nation's second-cheapest rental market, with average rents of $895 a month. Iowa City, the state's largest metro, has an average asking price of $1,120 a month.

Arkansas has the nation's third-lowest rents, costing an average of $901 a month. Vacant units in the state have an average asking rent of $1,026 a month.

Lake Charles, Louisiana, was the only major metropolitan area to show a decrease in average rent between 2021 and 2022, with prices down 13%. Notably, the region is still recovering from Hurricane Laura, which devastated the area and damaged half of its homes.

Nationwide, housing costs are rising and incomes are slow to keep up. With inflation nearing forty-year highs, families continue to feel the pinch.

Here are the 10 states with the lowest average rent:

Here are the 10 states with the highest average rent:

  1. Hawaii - $1,651
  2. District of Columbia - $1,607
  3. California - $1,586
  4. Maryland - $1,415
  5. New Jersey - $1,368
  6. Washington - $1,337
  7. Massachusetts - $1,336
  8. Colorado - $1,335
  9. New York - $1,315
  10. Virginia - $1,257

Average Rent by State [Updated May 2022]

Average Rent by State [Updated May 2022]

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Average Rent by State [Updated May 2022]

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Average Rent by State [Updated May 2022] (2024)

FAQs

What state has the most expensive rent right now? ›

California is the most expensive state to rent, with an average rent of $1,901, outpacing the runner-up, Hawaii, by nearly $200.

Where is rent increasing the most? ›

Half of America's most expensive cities for apartments are in California: study
RankMetropolitan Statistical AreaChange Since February 2022
1New York, NY+ 12.8%
2San Francisco, CA+ 4.2%
3Boston, MA+ 2.0%
4San Jose, CA+ 7.4%
6 more rows
Mar 14, 2023

What state has the highest rent 2023? ›

California once again cities topped the charts for the most expensive single-family home rental markets in the country, with Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, and San Diego taking the top four spots with asking rent at $4,099, $3,850, $3,736 and $3,600 respectively.

What is the average US rental increase? ›

Typical asking rents in the U.S. are now $2,018, a 5.3% increase compared with the same time last year. Rent growth, overall, has been slowing since its 16.9% year-over-year peak growth in February 2022. The current year-over-year rate is 0.5% higher than the peak typical rent of $2,008 in September 2022.

What state in the US has the cheapest rent? ›

1. Mississippi. Coming in as the cheapest state to live in in the United States is Mississippi with a cost of living index score of 83.3. It also has the lowest average housing costs in the nation at 33.7% below the national average.

Which USA city has the cheapest rent? ›

The best cities for affordable rent, summed up
RankCityCost of living (U.S. average=100)
1Little Rock, AR87.70
2Tulsa, OK88.60
3Omaha, NE91.70
4Des Moines, IA92.30
21 more rows
Dec 30, 2022

Can you negotiate rent? ›

The short answer is, yes. You can negotiate your rent. When you're renting an apartment, the price you pay isn't set in stone. But before you even consider negotiating, you need to make sure you know why you're asking for a discount.

Why is rent so high in the US right now? ›

Why is rent so high in the US right now? Over the past two years, the U.S. median rent rose by 18%. That was mostly because a competitive housing market and higher mortgage rates shut many people out of home buying. A strong jobs market and shortage of inventory also contributed to rising rent.

Where are people renting the most? ›

California had the most renting households with 5.73 million, or 13.6 percent of the nation's 42 million rental homes. Tenants in California make up 44 percent of households in the state, the third-largest share of renters behind. D.C., at 58 percent, and New York at 45 percent.

Which US city has the highest rent? ›

The most expensive rental market in the US remains to be New York. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom is roughly $3,260. This is about a $500 decrease from 2021, however as demand continues to increase prices are likely to follow.

What state is the best to rent? ›

North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa are the best states for renters. California, Massachusetts and Nevada are the worst states for renters. Overall median rent ranges from $1,774 to $770 per month in Hawaii and West Virginia, respectively.

In what city is rent the most expensive? ›

Most Expensive Cities Around the World to Rent an Apartment
  • Seattle, Washington, US. ...
  • Washington, D.C., US. ...
  • Miami, Florida, US. ...
  • Los Angeles, California, US. ...
  • San Jose, California, US. ...
  • Oakland, California, US. ...
  • Boston, Massachusetts, US. Cost of Rent Index Score: 75.2. ...
  • George Town, Cayman Islands. Cost of Rent Index Score: 76.4.
Apr 30, 2023

What is the average rent in the US 2023? ›

The average monthly rent for all apartment types in the United States rose substantially in 2021. As of February 2023, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the United States reached 1,320 U.S. dollars, up from 1,282 U.S. dollars a year before.

What is average rent in USA? ›

The average rent for an apartment in the U.S. is $1,702. The cost of rent varies depending on several factors, including location, size, and quality.

What is the average rent increase in Florida? ›

According to Florida Realtors, there was a 36% increase in rental prices from the start of 2020 to the end of 2022, and many landlords continue to hike the rates.

What is the 1 cheapest state to live in? ›

Mississippi

Where can you live in the US for $1000 a month? ›

  • New Bern, N.C. Median rent price: $1,000. ...
  • Rock Hill, S.C. Median rent price: $1,000. ...
  • Tallahassee, Fla. Median rent price: $990. ...
  • Beaumont, Texas. Median rent price: $997.50. ...
  • Winston-Salem, N.C. Median rent price: $945. ...
  • Shreveport, La. Median rent price: $950. ...
  • Las Cruces, N.M. Median rent price: $945. ...
  • Champaign, Ill.
Jul 22, 2016

What is the cheapest state to live in right now? ›

The three cheapest states to move to in terms of housing costs are: West Virginia, with an average price of $123,000; Mississippi, with an average price of $125,000; and Arkansas, with an average house price of 133,600.

Where can I live for $500 a month in the US? ›

Without further ado – and in no particular order – here's what $500 per month can get you in ten affordable U.S. cities:
  • Greenville, OH. Listing: Wayne Crossing. ...
  • Wichita, KS. Listing: Eagle Creek. ...
  • Lawton, OK. Listing: Sheridan Square Apartments. ...
  • Amarillo, TX. ...
  • Indianapolis, IN. ...
  • Searcy, AR. ...
  • Shreveport, LA. ...
  • Jackson, MS.
Oct 9, 2020

What is the cheapest month to rent? ›

The lowest rental rates are usually found between October and April, particularly right after the December holiday season. Fewer people are interested in moving—the weather's bad, schools are in session, etc. So individuals renting between the months of December and March typically find the best rental bargains.

What are the 10 cheapest cities to live in in the United States? ›

Where Is The Cheapest Place To Live?
  • Fort Wayne, Indiana. Fort Wayne, Indiana, is one of the cheapest places to live in America. ...
  • South Bend, Indiana. ...
  • Dayton, Ohio. ...
  • Toledo, Ohio. ...
  • Akron, Ohio. ...
  • Erie City, Pennsylvania. ...
  • Knoxville, Tennessee. ...
  • Memphis, Tennessee.
Feb 16, 2023

How do you ask if rent is negotiable? ›

How to Negotiate Your Rent
  1. Ask the landlord if rent price is open to discussion. ...
  2. Highlight your strengths as a tenant. ...
  3. Inquire about extending the lease. ...
  4. Offer to end the lease in the summer. ...
  5. Research the property's value. ...
  6. Be open to compromise. ...
  7. Negotiate directly, follow up in writing. ...
  8. Have a backup plan.
Feb 27, 2020

How do you politely ask for rent? ›

Five Creative Ways To Ask For Your Rent Payment
  1. Offer An Alternative Payment Method. ...
  2. Set Up A New Collection Date (And Stick To It) ...
  3. Sit-Down Conversation. ...
  4. Set Up Rental Payment Reminders. ...
  5. Offer A Prompt Payment Discount.
Nov 26, 2019

Should you always try to negotiate rent? ›

But in our opinion, it's 100% worth it to negotiate rent and get the best price possible for your new home. Since rent prices make up a large portion of our expenses, shaving off even a small percentage of your rent can save you thousands of dollars a year.

Has rent ever gone down in the US? ›

U.S. rent prices decreased by 0.25% from January to February 2023, according to the latest data from rental listings site Rent.com. While it's a smaller decrease than in previous months, it brings the U.S. monthly average rent price down to $1,937 — lower than its August 2022 peak of $2,053.

Does rent go down in a recession? ›

Just because there's a recession doesn't necessarily mean rent prices go down. In fact, during the 2008 recession, it was the exact opposite. In the current rental market, we have seen the rate of increase in rental prices come down, but this only translates to lower rent prices if you're in select markets.

What is the largest rent raise in us? ›

From 2017 to 2022, the average year-over-year increase in rent was 5.77% nationwide, with the biggest increase occurring from 2021 to 2022 at 14.07%.

Do most Americans own or rent? ›

Homeowner vs.

In the under-35 age group, 65% of American households are rented. Meanwhile, in the 65+ age group (senior citizens), 79.3% own a home. The median age of homebuyers is 47 years old, while the median age of renters is 38 years old. A whopping 64% of millennials who own homes regret their purchase of a home.

Who are best tenants to rent to? ›

The best type is the one who checks you out too

Nothing too evasive from their side but enough to show that they are serious diligent tenants that you can feel comfortable to trust that they will pay their rent in time and look after your property.

What percentage of Americans are landlords? ›

1. 10.6 Million Americans Earn Income from Rental Properties. Approximately 10.6 million American tax filers declared rental income when they filed their taxes. That means about 7.1% of 1040 filers could potentially be landlords.

What US state has the most apartments? ›

These Five States Are Building the Most Apartments
  • Texas. It's no surprise that Texas tops the nation for apartment construction activity. ...
  • Florida. A little more than 128,200 apartments are under way in Florida, which will swell the existing unit count by 7.4%. ...
  • California. ...
  • North Carolina. ...
  • New York.
Dec 12, 2022

What city has the cheapest rent in the world? ›

Data drawn from an analysis of over 500,000 property listings reveals that Madagascar has the world's cheapest apartment rental. For house-hunters or 'staycationers', the lowest rental price in the country is 1500 Malagasy ariary – or about 60 US cents per month.

Where is the highest cost of living in the world? ›

Hong Kong is the most expensive city to live in the world

Owing to its mammoth population size of 7 million people and finite spice, rent and hotels are extremely expensive. The price of food varies – depending on whether you buy fresh, imported produce versus local, market produce.

Is NYC the most expensive city in the world? ›

Many often believed it to be the most expensive in the world. Still, it wasn't until a report released in recent days by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) that declared New York City to, in fact, be the most expensive city on the planet. It's official: New York City is the most expensive city in the world.

Why is rent so high in Texas? ›

Renters are seeing their housing costs jump as population increases, strict zoning regulations and rising home sales push up rent prices.

Will rent go down in 2023 Arizona? ›

For example, the Phoenix metro area is projected to experience a 0.9% decline in housing prices by the end of February 2023, followed by a further 1.6% decline by the end of April 2023. However, the market is expected to rebound slightly by the end of January 2024 with a 0.2% increase in prices.

What is the average rent in Canada? ›

The average rental property cost around $1,662 in April 2021, according to data compiled from new listings on Rentals.ca, but the average price to rent is now around $2,002 as of April 2023.

Is $1,500 rent too much? ›

Take rent for example. The traditional advice is simple: Spend no more than 30% of your before-tax income on housing costs. That means if you bring in $5,000 per month before taxes, your rent shouldn't exceed $1,500.

How many Americans are rent burdened? ›

Over 19 million U.S. renter households spent more than 30% of their income on housing costs in 2021, according to data from the 2017-2021 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates released today.

Is it legal to raise rent $500 in Florida? ›

In Florida, landlords can raise the rent by any amount that they wish. There is no legal limit or cap on the amount of a rent increase.

Is there a 5 rent increase law in Florida? ›

Rent increases of more than 5% require 60 days' notice from tenants in Royal Palm Beach and Miami-Dade County. To find out if your region has notice requirements, check your local legislation.

Is Florida rent high? ›

The cost to rent a home in Florida continues to rise above the national average. But according to a national survey by Florida Atlantic University, there is some good news for residents. Rent hikes devastated many residents who live in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast about a year after the pandemic hit.

What city has the highest rent increase in the US? ›

Here are the 10 metros where asking rents are rising fastest.
  • Oklahoma City: +24.1 percent.
  • Pittsburgh: +20 percent.
  • Indianapolis: +17.9 percent.
  • Louisville: +17.5 percent.
  • Nashville: +17 percent.
  • Cincinatti: +16.5 percent.
  • Raleigh: +16.4 percent.
  • New York: +15.4 percent.
Oct 13, 2022

Which state do people rent most? ›

The study analyzed the U.S. Census Bureau housing data of more than 300 cities with a population of 100,000 or more and conducted a survey of over 1,000 people from around the country in November. Newark, New Jersey, has the most, with more than 79% of residents renting.

What US city has the most expensive housing? ›

The most expensive city in the U.S. in terms of housing costs is San Jose, California. It combined the highest monthly housing costs in our study with the second-highest home values, but San Francisco wasn't far behind.

What is the largest legal rent increase? ›

In 2023, the maximum most landlords can raise a tenant's rent without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board is 2.5% (rent control).

What is the highest rent inflation rate in the US? ›

Rent Inflation in the United States averaged 4.17 percent from 1954 until 2023, reaching an all time high of 20.85 percent in June of 1980 and a record low of -0.73 percent in April of 2010. This page includes a chart with historical data for the United States Rent Inflation.

Which cities do most people rent? ›

The highest percentage of renters in the U.S. can be found on the East Coast. Newark, New Jersey ranks number one with 79.15%.

How many Americans are behind on their rent? ›

Key findings. 8,070,524 people ages 18 or older in the U.S. aren't caught up on rent payments. Put another way, 13.17% of the nation's adult renters live in a household that charges them rent and are behind on payment. Nationwide, 3,560,345 adults — 5.81% of adult renters — live in a household that doesn't pay rent.

What states has the best cost of living? ›

States With Lowest Cost of Living

The ten states with the lowest cost of living are Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, West Virginia, and Tennessee. Mississippi is the state with the lowest cost of living in the US, with a cost of living index of 85.

What state has the most unaffordable housing? ›

According to worldpopulationreview.com, Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, with its housing costing three times the national average. New York and California rank as the second and third most expensive states in which to live, respectively.

Which city has the most unaffordable housing? ›

All the cities on this graphic are classified as severely unaffordable⁠—and, for the 12th year in a row, Hong Kong takes the top spot as the world's most unaffordable housing market, with a score of 23.2.

What is the most expensive district to live in US? ›

The average price of the most expensive neighborhoods in every U.S. state is $5,249,542, but America's most expensive neighborhood—Manalapan, Fla.,—far surpasses that at a whopping average house price of $39,761,000.

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