Which City Is Most Expensive for Renters? You Might Be Surprised. (2024)

Real Estate|Which City Is Most Expensive for Renters? You Might Be Surprised.

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With a spate of new luxury developments luring tenants from across the Hudson River, Jersey City has made itself the priciest city in the nation.

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Which City Is Most Expensive for Renters? You Might Be Surprised. (1)

Jersey City is sometimes called the sixth borough of New York City. But right now, it can claim to be first: As of June, it was the most expensive city in which to rent a home in the United States, topping famously expensive metros like San Francisco and Miami with an average rent of $5,500, according to a report by the listing portal Rent.

Rental prices have surged across the United States during the pandemic, spurred by a spike in inflation and a wave of tenants moving farther from their urban offices as they settle into remote work, said Jon Leckie, a researcher at Rent. According to the report, the priciest areas for renters comprised a mix of tech hubs, big cities, and feeder markets for larger metros: Just behind Jersey City was Boston ($4,878) and the Silicon Valley hub of Palo Alto, Calif. ($4,672). Then came the Los Angeles satellites of Glendale, Calif. ($4,472), and Santa Monica, Calif. ($4,357), followed by the Miami suburb of Coral Gables, Fla. ($4,310), Hoboken, N.J. ($4,264), and the Seattle suburb of Redmond, Wash. ($4,222).

Much of the migration has been fairly local, as renters become more comfortable with longer but less frequent commutes, Mr. Leckie said. “They stay regional,” he said of movers. “Jersey City is a proxy for New York City in a lot of ways.”

Researchers compared rents for one- and two-bedroom listings in June against the average rents in June 2021. (Mr. Leckie said the firm did not have enough listing data in New York City to make an accurate calculation. According to a report by the brokerage Douglas Elliman, the average monthly rent in Manhattan was over $5,000 in June 2022.) Among the top 100 cities, Jersey City saw the third highest year-over-year rent increase, up 66 percent from June 2021, when the average rate was $3,308.

The spike is due in part to a dramatic dip in rent prices last year, a result of Covid-19. Mr. Leckie said he expects price growth to moderate, but remain above prepandemic levels. But another critical factor is the spate of new luxury apartments luring New Yorkers across the Hudson River with more space and amenities than they could afford near their offices. More than 6,660 units are planned or under development in Jersey City, most of which are expected to be ready by 2026, according to Nancy Packes of Nancy Packes Data Services, a development consultancy and database provider.

“Jersey City was a net beneficiary of the pandemic,” Ms. Packes said.

Stefanos Chen is a real estate reporter, based in New York. He joined The Times in 2017 after five years with The Wall Street Journal, where he was a reporter and multimedia producer. @stefanoschen

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Which City Is Most Expensive for Renters? You Might Be Surprised. (2024)

FAQs

Which City Is Most Expensive for Renters? You Might Be Surprised.? ›

You Might Be Surprised. With a spate of new luxury developments luring tenants from across the Hudson River, Jersey City has made itself the priciest city in the nation.

Which city is most expensive renters? ›

While the most expensive rentals are unsurprisingly in New York City, several California cities are not far behind.

What is the most expensive city to rent in the US? ›

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 city has seen the highest increase in rent? ›

Top 5 cities with the highest rent increase
Cities2021–2022 Rent change (%)
Naples, Florida33.89%
West New York, New Jersey32.20%
Ocoee, Florida32.05%
Coral Gables, Florida31.63%
1 more row
Oct 20, 2022

What is the most expensive city in the US Jersey City? ›

According to a listing portal named, Rent … the most expensive City is not New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, or any other large metropolitan location … somehow, it's Jersey City, New Jersey. Believe it or not, the average rent in Jersey City is $5,500 per month.

Where does rent cost the most? ›

Analysis by Redfin showed prices increased by 14.1% over the year in 2021 and 7.45% in 2022. With real wages falling by 1.3% in the last year there is an intense squeeze on purse-strings. California is no exception and has the highest average rent prices in the country.

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 housing most expensive in US? ›

Top 10 Most Expensive States to Buy a House in the US

The top 10 most expensive states for home values, according to the Zillow Home Value Index, include Hawaii, California, the District of Columbia, Washington, Massachusetts, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, New Jersey, and Idaho.

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

What are the five most expensive cities to live in in the US? ›

Most Expensive Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023-2024
  • San Diego, CA.
  • Los Angeles, CA.
  • Honolulu, HI.
  • Miami, FL.
  • Santa Barbara, CA.
  • San Francisco, CA.
  • Salinas, CA.

Where is rent growing the fastest? ›

Cities With The fastest Growing 3-Bedroom Home Rent Prices in 2023
  • Santa Barbara, California. ...
  • Rochester, New York. ...
  • Anderson, Indiana. ...
  • Rochester, Minnesota. January 2023: $2,050. ...
  • Kalamazoo, Michigan. January 2023: $1,673. ...
  • Monroe, Louisiana. January 2023: $1,400. ...
  • Greenville, North Carolina. January: $1,500. ...
  • Lawton, Oklahoma.
Feb 17, 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 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.

Is it cheaper to live in NYC or Jersey City? ›

When it comes to affordability, New Jersey has the upper hand. Take, for example, the average rent in Manhattan, which rose to a record $5,000 per month in 2022.

Where is the most expensive city to live? ›

Singapore and New York City tied for the first rank amongst the world's most expensive cities in 2022, pushing Israel's Tel Aviv from the first place in 2021 to the third place in 2022.

Where are the most expensive states to live? ›

The ten most expensive states to live in are Hawaii, Massachusetts, California, New York, Alaska, Maryland, Oregon, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, with a cost of living index of 184.

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.

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 state has the best renters rights? ›

Florida is one of the most landlord-friendly states in America. Landlords can evict tenants after giving them a 3-day notice for nonpayment of rent, and they can terminate leases after giving tenants 15 days' notice. In Florida, an eviction can be completed in two to three weeks.

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.

What are the 10 most expensive states to live in? ›

10 Most Expensive States To Live In
  • New Hampshire. State Cost of Living Index: 114.7. ...
  • Connecticut. State Cost of Living Index: 115.4. ...
  • Vermont. State Cost of Living Index: 116.4. ...
  • Oregon. State Cost of Living Index: 122.2. ...
  • Maryland. State Cost of Living Index: 124.1. ...
  • Alaska. State Cost of Living Index: 125.5. ...
  • New York. ...
  • 3. California.
May 27, 2023

What's the most expensive city? ›

These are the world's top 20 most expensive places for expats to live (with the 2022 rankings in parentheses):
  • New York, US (2022 ranking: 2)
  • Hong Kong, China (1)
  • Geneva, Switzerland (3)
  • London, UK (4)
  • Singapore (13)
  • Zurich, Switzerland (7)
  • San Francisco, US (11)
  • Tel Aviv, Israel (6)
19 hours ago

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 #1 cheapest place to live in the US? ›

In its report, Niche also ranked the cheapest places to live in the U.S. At the top of the list this year is Brownsville, Texas. Brownsville has been steadily rising in Niche's Lowest Cost of Living ranking over the past few years, placing number six in 2021, number three in 2022 and finally, number one in 2023.

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.

What's the cheapest place to live? ›

We based our list of the cheapest places to live on research from The Council for Community and Economic Research, Niche, among other sources.
  • Amarillo, Texas. ...
  • Meridian, Mississippi. ...
  • Tupelo, Mississippi. ...
  • Muskogee, Oklahoma. ...
  • Jackson, Mississippi. ...
  • Topeka, Kansas. ...
  • Richmond, Indiana. ...
  • Salina, Kansas.
Feb 16, 2023

What is the most expensive community in the 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.

Is Florida expensive place to live? ›

The cost of living in Florida is 1% higher than the national average. Housing is 4% higher than the national average, while utilities are 1% higher. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% lower than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs 2% lower.

What month is rent the highest? ›

The busiest rental and moving period tends to be between the months of May and September. 1 The reason for this is fairly straightforward: A number of life changes tend to occur in these months. Many high school graduates are leaving home for college or jobs.

What place has the most renters? ›

California had the most renting households with 5.73 million, or 13.6 percent of the nation's 42 million rental homes.

What is rented out the most? ›

So, let's delve into the most rented items in 2023 thus far and which products are set to grow!
  • Event decor and equipment. ...
  • Camera and AV equipment. ...
  • Bikes and e-bikes. ...
  • Party equipment and inflatables. ...
  • Camping and hiking equipment. ...
  • Tools and Construction Equipment. ...
  • Suits and dresses for all occasions. ...
  • Water sports equipment.
May 9, 2023

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.

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.

How much do Americans pay for rent on average? ›

The rent-to-income ratio was calculated by comparing the national median household income, $71,721, with the average monthly rent, $1,794, for 2022. The current 30 percent figure is an increase from 28.5 percent in 2021, and from 25.7 percent in 2020.

Are renters hurt by inflation? ›

Does inflation raise rent prices? Yes. As the value of a dollar goes down over time and the price of goods and services increase, including the price of real estate, inflation will also raise the rent prices.

Is rent causing inflation? ›

Rent is the 'largest contributor' to inflation. See where it is going up (or down) Rental prices were by far the “largest contributor” to the rise in inflation on an annual basis in March, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What cities have the highest inflation in the US? ›

The 10 cities where inflation is still hitting Americans the hardest: Philadelphia, Detroit, Phoenix, Seattle and Atlanta residents face the highest costs - but in LA and New York the economy is cooling down.

Is Florida cheaper to live than New Jersey? ›

The Cost of Living in Florida is Less Expensive Than NJ

Compared to New Jersey, Florida is far more economical when it comes to living expenses. With cheaper housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation, and no state income taxes, the cost to live here is quite reasonable.

Is LA or New York more expensive? ›

Overall, LA is about 24% less expensive than NYC. The cost of living in LA is lower than in NYC thanks to far lower housing prices. On average, housing in LA is 34% cheaper than in New York City. Additionally, prices for groceries, as well as restaurant prices, are lower in Los Angeles than in NYC.

What part of New Jersey is the cheapest to live? ›

Most Affordable Places to Live in New Jersey
  • Hightstown.
  • New Brunswick.
  • Phillipsburg.
  • Pompton Lakes.
  • Rahway.
  • Toms River.
May 19, 2023

Why is New York so expensive? ›

There are many reasons why everything is expensive in New York City. Some of the key factors include the high demand for housing, high taxes, high transportation costs, and the city's status as a global economic and cultural hub.

Where is the best place to live in the world? ›

  • Sweden. #1 in Quality of Life. #5 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Denmark. #2 in Quality of Life. #10 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Canada. #3 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Switzerland. #4 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Norway. #5 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Finland. #6 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Germany. #7 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Netherlands. #8 in Quality of Life.

What is the most expensive borough in NYC? ›

Manhattan has the most expensive real estate in the city and most of the richest areas, followed by Brooklyn. The Bronx is the most affordable borough in NYC.

What are the cheapest blue states? ›

Regarding affordability, the report indicates that Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey are the most affordable states with Arizona, Nevada, and Florida being the least affordable.

What are the five most expensive states? ›

Let's look at what the data is saying about the highest cost of living states, according to World Population Review.
  • Hawaii. Tops on the list lands Hawaii, with a COL index of 193.3. ...
  • New York. ...
  • California. ...
  • Massachusetts. ...
  • Oregon.
Jan 24, 2023

What are the 10 most expensive cities to live in us? ›

A job in New York City might pay considerably more than a similar job in the Midwest.
  • Manhattan, New York. Overall cost of living: 127.7% above U.S. average. ...
  • Honolulu, Hawaii. ...
  • San Francisco, California. ...
  • Brooklyn, New York. ...
  • Washington, D.C. ...
  • Orange County, California. ...
  • Los Angeles, California. ...
  • Seattle, Washington.
Feb 3, 2023

Where are the most renters in the US? ›

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.

Is Boston now America's second most expensive city for renters? ›

Move over San Francisco — Boston is now the second most expensive city for a one-bedroom rental, behind only New York City, according to Zumper's latest national rent report.

Why is Massachusetts rent so high? ›

Salpoglou attributes that to low supply, landlords renovating apartments during COVID-19 and higher interest rates, deterring people from buying. "You know, you've got maybe couples or partners that are ready to move out to the burbs, but they can't. So they're stuck.

Where are the most evictions? ›

Looking at data from 2019, we see the highest rates of eviction across the Inland Empire (37 per 1,000 renters in Riverside County, 42 in San Bernardino County) and the Central Valley (36 per 1,000 in Calaveras County, 30 in San Joaquin County).

Which US city has the most apartments? ›

1. New York, NY
  • Share of housing that is high-density: 62.0%
  • Share of owner housing that is high-density: 33.4%
  • Share of renter housing that is high-density: 75.4%
  • Total high-density housing units: 1,992,401.
  • Total housing units: 3,211,033.
Feb 1, 2022

Is rent cheaper in Boston or New York? ›

NYC: Average Rent Price. A comparison of average rent prices in NYC vs Boston reveals an even wider price gap. The current average rent price in NYC is $3,650, which is $1000 more expensive than the monthly average rent for Boston apartments ($2,659).

Is Boston or NYC more expensive to live? ›

The cost of living in New York, NY is 15.6% higher than in Boston, MA. You would have to earn a salary of $69,370 to maintain your current standard of living. Employers in New York, NY typically pay 4.3% more than employeers in Boston, MA.

Is it more expensive to live in Boston or NYC? ›

Cost of Living

New York City is more expensive than Boston but not by much. NYC ranks the most expensive city in the US, while Boston is fourth (San Francisco and Honolulu are 2 and 3). The cost of living in New York is 129% higher than the national average, whereas it's only about 48% higher in Boston.

What state do people rent the most? ›

These are the states with the highest one-bedroom rent estimates as of October 2022, according to Apartment List: Hawaii ($1,718) New York ($1,678) California ($1,658)

What salary do I need to live in Boston? ›

A new report from SmartAsset says a single person in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area has to pull in a salary of almost $80,000 a year to "live comfortably." The study is based on a theoretical budget where a person spends half their income on needs, 30% on "wants" and the rest on savings or repaying debt.

Are rents in Massachusetts going down? ›

The median asking rents were down the most between August 2022 and March 2023 for studios in the Back Bay, Jamaica Plain, and Fenway. They increased the most in Roslindale, the West End, and East Boston.

Why is there no rent control in Massachusetts? ›

The last time the Massachusetts House voted on a rent control measure, in 2020, it was defeated, 136–23. The lawmaker who forced the vote was a renter, state Representative Mike Connolly of Cambridge; nearly all the current landlord-legislators who were serving at the time voted against it.

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