Median rents have hit record highs across the country, thanks to inflation and pandemic-related shortages of housing and building supplies. In many parts of the country, people who choose to rent may find it difficult to meet conventional wisdom’s rule that monthly rent should not exceed 30% of one’s monthly income. While rent prices are much more affordable in some parts of the country, in the vast majority of states there is at least one town where rents are especially high.
To find the town with the highest rent in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of median gross rent among places with at least 1,000 people and fewer than 25,000 people from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey.
It is important to note that the figures reflected here are for 2020, the most recent data available through the census. While prices today are much higher across much of the country, the most expensive rental market in each state in 2020 is likely still one of the most expensive markets in 2022. The national 2020 median rent was $1,096. In 48 of the 50 states, there is at least one town with a higher 2020 median gross rent.
Housing costs reflect the income levels of the population living there. Costs tend to be more expensive in wealthier communities. Of the 50 cities on this list, 42 have higher typical household incomes compared to typical incomes statewide, and 22 have median household incomes of at least $100,000. The U.S. median household income is $64,996. Scarsdale, New York, part of Westchester County, an affluent suburb of New York City, is one of the few communities with a 2020 median gross rent in excess of $3,500. It has a median annual household income of nearly a quarter of a million dollars. This is the richest town in every state.
Nationwide, 2020 median gross rent accounts for 29.6% of 2020 median household income. As a result of higher incomes in the cities on the list, in 30, rent is actually relatively affordable. In Hurstborough, Kentucky, the median rent comes to just 14.8% of typical income. On the other hand, in some other places on this list, higher incomes are not sufficient to match the higher rents. In Hanover, New Hampshire, and Lincolnshire, Illinois, gross rent is greater than half of income. These are the U.S. cities where the most families need food stamps.
Click here to see the town with the highest rent, in every state.
Click here to read our detailed methodology.
Alabama: Mountain Brook
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,627 (Alabama: $811)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 19.4% (Alabama: 28.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 12.0% (Alabama: 30.8%)
> Median home value: $666,500 (Alabama: $149,600)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 98
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Alaska: Eielson AFB
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,948 (Alaska: $1,240)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 31.6% (Alaska: 27.5%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 99.5% (Alaska: 35.2%)
> Median home value: N/A (Alaska: $275,600)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 24
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Arizona: Anthem
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,675 (Arizona: $1,097)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 31.5% (Arizona: 29.0%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 20.5% (Arizona: 34.7%)
> Median home value: $358,700 (Arizona: $242,000)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 51
Arkansas: Pea Ridge
> Median monthly rental cost: $2,123 (Arkansas: $760)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 27.4% (Arkansas: 27.2%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 58.4% (Arkansas: 34.2%)
> Median home value: $140,500 (Arkansas: $133,600)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 72
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California: Topanga
> Median monthly rental cost: $3,500+ (California: $1,586)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 36.3% (California: 32.2%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 25.1% (California: 44.7%)
> Median home value: $1,124,200 (California: $538,500)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 344
Colorado: Superior
> Median monthly rental cost: $2,060 (Colorado: $1,335)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 23.9% (Colorado: 30.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 38.5% (Colorado: 33.8%)
> Median home value: $603,600 (Colorado: $369,900)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 77
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Connecticut: Riverside
> Median monthly rental cost: $2,383 (Connecticut: $1,201)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 22.6% (Connecticut: 30.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 18.3% (Connecticut: 33.9%)
> Median home value: $1,527,400 (Connecticut: $279,700)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 42
Delaware: Dover Base Housing
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,664 (Delaware: $1,150)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 34.5% (Delaware: 29.7%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 100.0% (Delaware: 28.6%)
> Median home value: N/A (Delaware: $258,300)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 20
Florida: Key Biscayne
> Median monthly rental cost: $2,584 (Florida: $1,218)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 32.6% (Florida: 33.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 30.7% (Florida: 33.8%)
> Median home value: $1,430,100 (Florida: $232,000)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 308
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Georgia: Druid Hills
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,610 (Georgia: $1,042)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 29.8% (Georgia: 29.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 35.3% (Georgia: 36.0%)
> Median home value: $659,700 (Georgia: $190,200)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 170
Hawaii: Hickam Housing
> Median monthly rental cost: $3,251 (Hawaii: $1,651)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 46.2% (Hawaii: 32.5%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 100.0% (Hawaii: 39.7%)
> Median home value: N/A (Hawaii: $636,400)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 46
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Idaho: Kuna
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,337 (Idaho: $887)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 29.1% (Idaho: 27.9%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 20.8% (Idaho: 29.2%)
> Median home value: $226,200 (Idaho: $235,600)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 21
24/7 Wall St.
Illinois: Lincolnshire
> Median monthly rental cost: $2,720 (Illinois: $1,038)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 50.0%+ (Illinois: 28.7%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 16.7% (Illinois: 33.7%)
> Median home value: $556,900 (Illinois: $202,100)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 235
Indiana: Whitestown
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,345 (Indiana: $844)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 23.6% (Indiana: 28.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 26.8% (Indiana: 30.5%)
> Median home value: $231,100 (Indiana: $148,900)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 98
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Iowa: North Liberty
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,160 (Iowa: $806)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 24.4% (Iowa: 26.7%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 29.2% (Iowa: 28.8%)
> Median home value: $232,000 (Iowa: $153,900)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 72
Kansas: Andover
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,451 (Kansas: $863)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 27.4% (Kansas: 27.0%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 22.8% (Kansas: 33.8%)
> Median home value: $212,200 (Kansas: $157,600)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 63
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Kentucky: Hurstbourne
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,318 (Kentucky: $783)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 14.8% (Kentucky: 27.1%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 33.8% (Kentucky: 32.4%)
> Median home value: $427,600 (Kentucky: $147,100)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 93
Louisiana: New Orleans Station
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,491 (Louisiana: $876)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 29.6% (Louisiana: 32.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 98.4% (Louisiana: 33.4%)
> Median home value: N/A (Louisiana: $168,100)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 104
Maine: Yarmouth
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,281 (Maine: $873)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 33.3% (Maine: 28.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 29.6% (Maine: 27.1%)
> Median home value: $347,300 (Maine: $198,000)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 38
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Maryland: Bensville
> Median monthly rental cost: $2,444 (Maryland: $1,415)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 36.6% (Maryland: 29.7%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 12.1% (Maryland: 32.9%)
> Median home value: $373,400 (Maryland: $325,400)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 120
Massachusetts: Hanscom AFB
> Median monthly rental cost: $3,135 (Massachusetts: $1,336)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 32.8% (Massachusetts: 29.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 100.0% (Massachusetts: 37.5%)
> Median home value: N/A (Massachusetts: $398,800)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 59
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Michigan: Birmingham
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,668 (Michigan: $892)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 23.6% (Michigan: 29.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 27.3% (Michigan: 28.3%)
> Median home value: $538,900 (Michigan: $162,600)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 156
Minnesota: Oak Park Heights
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,612 (Minnesota: $1,010)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 43.8% (Minnesota: 28.2%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 50.3% (Minnesota: 28.1%)
> Median home value: $261,300 (Minnesota: $235,700)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 111
Mississippi: Gulf Park Estates
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,255 (Mississippi: $789)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 25.7% (Mississippi: 29.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 38.5% (Mississippi: 31.2%)
> Median home value: $161,000 (Mississippi: $125,500)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 67
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Missouri: Sunset Hills
> Median monthly rental cost: $2,514 (Missouri: $843)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 48.9% (Missouri: 27.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 20.8% (Missouri: 32.9%)
> Median home value: $416,300 (Missouri: $163,600)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 160
Montana: Evergreen
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,094 (Montana: $836)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 25.2% (Montana: 27.7%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 18.0% (Montana: 31.5%)
> Median home value: $213,700 (Montana: $244,900)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 22
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Nebraska: Offutt AFB
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,320 (Nebraska: $857)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 26.3% (Nebraska: 26.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 100.0% (Nebraska: 33.8%)
> Median home value: N/A (Nebraska: $164,000)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 37
Nevada: Spanish Springs
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,643 (Nevada: $1,159)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 26.7% (Nevada: 30.0%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 15.4% (Nevada: 42.9%)
> Median home value: $413,000 (Nevada: $290,200)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 19
New Hampshire: Hanover
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,657 (New Hampshire: $1,145)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 50.0%+ (New Hampshire: 28.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 50.0% (New Hampshire: 28.8%)
> Median home value: $503,300 (New Hampshire: $272,300)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 29
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New Jersey: Tenafly
> Median monthly rental cost: $3,073 (New Jersey: $1,368)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 26.3% (New Jersey: 30.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 21.3% (New Jersey: 36.0%)
> Median home value: $848,600 (New Jersey: $343,500)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 214
New Mexico: Kirtland AFB
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,399 (New Mexico: $857)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 26.9% (New Mexico: 29.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 96.5% (New Mexico: 32.0%)
> Median home value: N/A (New Mexico: $175,700)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 35
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New York: Scarsdale
> Median monthly rental cost: $3,500+ (New York: $1,315)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 25.7% (New York: 30.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 13.4% (New York: 45.9%)
> Median home value: $1,473,200 (New York: $325,000)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 287
North Carolina: Spout Springs
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,700 (North Carolina: $932)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 21.8% (North Carolina: 28.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 30.6% (North Carolina: 34.3%)
> Median home value: $233,400 (North Carolina: $182,100)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 156
North Dakota: Minot AFB
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,497 (North Dakota: $828)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 29.5% (North Dakota: 24.4%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 99.0% (North Dakota: 37.5%)
> Median home value: N/A (North Dakota: $199,900)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 10
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Ohio: Hudson
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,898 (Ohio: $825)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 40.9% (Ohio: 27.5%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 11.3% (Ohio: 33.7%)
> Median home value: $359,500 (Ohio: $151,400)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 249
Oklahoma: Jenks
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,272 (Oklahoma: $818)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 24.4% (Oklahoma: 27.2%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 23.4% (Oklahoma: 33.9%)
> Median home value: $224,700 (Oklahoma: $142,400)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 72
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Oregon: Happy Valley
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,688 (Oregon: $1,173)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 28.7% (Oregon: 30.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 14.8% (Oregon: 37.2%)
> Median home value: $526,900 (Oregon: $336,700)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 85
Pennsylvania: Lima
> Median monthly rental cost: $2,548 (Pennsylvania: $958)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 50.0%+ (Pennsylvania: 28.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 59.8% (Pennsylvania: 31.0%)
> Median home value: $285,100 (Pennsylvania: $187,500)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 344
Rhode Island: Melville
> Median monthly rental cost: $2,238 (Rhode Island: $1,031)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 32.4% (Rhode Island: 29.0%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 88.6% (Rhode Island: 38.4%)
> Median home value: N/A (Rhode Island: $276,600)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 12
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South Carolina: Bluffton
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,761 (South Carolina: $918)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 34.4% (South Carolina: 29.7%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 17.8% (South Carolina: 29.9%)
> Median home value: $299,700 (South Carolina: $170,100)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 114
South Dakota: Box Elder
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,058 (South Dakota: $761)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 26.9% (South Dakota: 25.2%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 51.3% (South Dakota: 32.0%)
> Median home value: $186,000 (South Dakota: $174,600)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 20
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Tennessee: Thompson’s Station
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,790 (Tennessee: $897)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 37.1% (Tennessee: 28.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 27.2% (Tennessee: 33.5%)
> Median home value: $425,100 (Tennessee: $177,600)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 105
Texas: Highland Park
> Median monthly rental cost: $2,328 (Texas: $1,082)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 21.7% (Texas: 29.1%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 16.0% (Texas: 37.7%)
> Median home value: $1,451,300 (Texas: $187,200)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 268
Utah: Park City
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,681 (Utah: $1,090)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 23.2% (Utah: 27.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 34.2% (Utah: 29.5%)
> Median home value: $1,096,400 (Utah: $305,400)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 31
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Vermont: South Burlington
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,426 (Vermont: $999)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 29.5% (Vermont: 29.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 40.9% (Vermont: 28.7%)
> Median home value: $312,300 (Vermont: $230,900)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 23
Virginia: Fort Belvoir
> Median monthly rental cost: $2,758 (Virginia: $1,257)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 38.9% (Virginia: 28.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 98.3% (Virginia: 33.3%)
> Median home value: N/A (Virginia: $282,800)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 147
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Washington: Mill Creek East
> Median monthly rental cost: $2,309 (Washington: $1,337)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 28.9% (Washington: 29.1%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 14.2% (Washington: 36.7%)
> Median home value: $582,500 (Washington: $366,800)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 141
West Virginia: Cheat Lake
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,132 (West Virginia: $732)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 32.8% (West Virginia: 28.9%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 19.3% (West Virginia: 26.3%)
> Median home value: $294,800 (West Virginia: $123,200)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 41
Wisconsin: Mequon
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,708 (Wisconsin: $872)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 23.6% (Wisconsin: 27.0%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 15.0% (Wisconsin: 32.9%)
> Median home value: $396,700 (Wisconsin: $189,200)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 149
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Wyoming: Jackson
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,509 (Wyoming: $853)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 27.8% (Wyoming: 26.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 63.2% (Wyoming: 29.0%)
> Median home value: $702,700 (Wyoming: $228,000)
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 16
Methodology
To determine the town with the lowest rent in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of median gross rent from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey.
We used census “place” geographies — a category that includes incorporated legal entities and census-designated statistical entities. We defined towns based on population thresholds — having at least 1,000 people and less than 25,000 people.
Towns were excluded if median gross rent was not available in the 2020 ACS, if there were fewer than 500 renter-occupied housing units, or if the sampling error associated with a town’s data was deemed too high.
The sampling error was defined as too high if the coefficient of variation — a statistical assessment of how reliable an estimate is — for a town’s median gross rent was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all towns’ median gross rents. We similarly excluded towns that had a sampling error too high for their population, using the same definition.
Towns were ranked based on the median gross rent. To break ties, we used the median gross rent as a share of household income.
Additional information on median gross rent as a share of household income, share of households occupied by renters, and median home value are also five-year estimates from the 2020 ACS. Because the Census Bureau didn’t release one-year estimates for 2020 due to data collection issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, all ACS data are five-year estimates.
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