What Is the Hourly Rate Needed To Afford Rent for 2 Across 100 Cities in the US?

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Limiting your housing costs to 30% of your income is a longtime financial guideline, but it’s well out of reach for many Americans. The high cost of rent is one of the biggest reasons.

If you’re paying rent for two people in one of America’s 100 largest cities, you’ll need to earn between $9.97 an hour and $33.88 an hour on average — if you stick to the 30% rule. That’s according to data compiled by GOBankingRates, sourced from Zillow’s April 2024 data.

Based on those numbers, you’ll fall well short if you’re living off the federal minimum wage, which has been stuck at $7.25 an hour since 2009. The minimum wage is considerably higher in some states and cities across the country. But even the highest minimum wage city — Tukwila, Washington at $20.29 an hour for large employers — wouldn’t get you there for the 22 most expensive cities in this list.

With numbers like that, it’s no wonder that Americans on average exceeded the 30% threshold in 2023.

There’s only one city in the list of 100 — Wichita, Kansas — where you can theoretically earn less than $10 an hour and afford rent for two. A year’s rent there will run you about $12,400 on average. In the most expensive of America’s largest cities, that figure jumps to over $42,000.

Here’s the full list, ranked from least to most expensive:

100. Wichita, Kansas

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,037
• 2024 average yearly rent: $12,443
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $9.97

99. Toledo, Ohio

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,068
• 2024 average yearly rent: $12,811
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $10.26

98. Fort Wayne, Indiana

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,226
• 2024 average yearly rent: $14,708
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $11.79

97. Tulsa, Oklahoma

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,233
• 2024 average yearly rent: $14,791
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $11.85

96. Oklahoma City

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,257
• 2024 average yearly rent: $15,081
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $12.08

95. Detroit

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,282
• 2024 average yearly rent: $15,382
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $12.33

94. Milwaukee

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,283
• 2024 average yearly rent: $15,399
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $12.34

93. Memphis, Tennessee

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,285
• 2024 average yearly rent: $15,423
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $12.36

92. Lincoln, Nebraska

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,292
• 2024 average yearly rent: $15,500
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $12.42

91. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,320
• 2024 average yearly rent: $15,837
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $12.69

90. St. Louis

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,330
• 2024 average yearly rent: $15,965
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $12.79

89. Corpus Christi, Texas

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,332
• 2024 average yearly rent: $15,981
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $12.80

88. Omaha, Nebraska

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,341
• 2024 average yearly rent: $16,086
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $12.89

87. Buffalo, New York

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,344
• 2024 average yearly rent: $16,126
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $12.92

86. Lexington, Kentucky

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,356
• 2024 average yearly rent: $16,271
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $13.04

85. Lubbock, Texas

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,367
• 2024 average yearly rent: $16,407
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $13.15

84. Kansas City, Missouri

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,372
• 2024 average yearly rent: $16,461
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $13.19

83. Cleveland

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,378
• 2024 average yearly rent: $16,533
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $13.25

82. Louisville, Kentucky

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,378
• 2024 average yearly rent: $16,538
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $13.25

81. Cincinnati

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,412
• 2024 average yearly rent: $16,941
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $13.57

80. Indianapolis

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,418
• 2024 average yearly rent: $17,016
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $13.63

79. San Antonio, Texas

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,424
• 2024 average yearly rent: $17,087
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $13.69

78. Columbus, Ohio

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,429
• 2024 average yearly rent: $17,147
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $13.74

77. Columbia, South Carolina

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,436
• 2024 average yearly rent: $17,236
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $13.81

76. Rochester, New York

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,439
• 2024 average yearly rent: $17,266
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $13.83

75. Greensboro, North Carolina

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,449
• 2024 average yearly rent: $17,393
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $13.94

74. Spokane, Washington

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,467
• 2024 average yearly rent: $17,603
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $14.10

73. St. Paul, Minnesota

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,473
• 2024 average yearly rent: $17,674
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $14.16

72. Pittsburgh

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,489
• 2024 average yearly rent: $17,868
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $14.32

71. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,501
• 2024 average yearly rent: $18,014
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $14.43

70. Tallahassee, Florida

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,508
• 2024 average yearly rent: $18,092
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $14.50

69. Tucson, Arizona

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,516
• 2024 average yearly rent: $18,192
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $14.58

68. Albuquerque, New Mexico

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,523
• 2024 average yearly rent: $18,272
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $14.64

67. El Paso, Texas

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,523
• 2024 average yearly rent: $18,272
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $14.64

66. Richmond, Virginia

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,563
• 2024 average yearly rent: $18,756
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $15.03

65. Arlington, Texas

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,599
• 2024 average yearly rent: $19,183
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $15.37

64. Houston

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,607
• 2024 average yearly rent: $19,282
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $15.45

63. Jacksonville, Florida

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,620
• 2024 average yearly rent: $19,443
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $15.58

62. Minneapolis

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,630
• 2024 average yearly rent: $19,555
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $15.67

61. Raleigh, North Carolina

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,669
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,029
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.05

60. Mesa, Arizona

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,675
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,097
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.10

59. Baltimore

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,682
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,183
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.17

58. Fort Worth, Texas

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,702
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,429
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.37

57. Phoenix

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,713
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,554
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.47

56. New Orleans

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,717
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,601
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.51

55. Dallas

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,727
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,725
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.61

54. Austin, Texas

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,739
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,869
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.72

53. Marietta, Georgia

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,740
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,878
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.73

52. Knoxville, Tennessee

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,740
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,884
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.73

51. Portland, Oregon

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,741
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,891
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.74

50. Las Vegas

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,745
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,943
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.78

49. Durham, North Carolina

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,747
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,963
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.80

48. Boise, Idaho

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,748
• 2024 average yearly rent: $20,975
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $16.81

47. Charlotte, North Carolina

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,769
• 2024 average yearly rent: $21,224
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $17.01

46. Vancouver, Washington

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,775
• 2024 average yearly rent: $21,295
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $17.06

45. Philadelphia

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,775
• 2024 average yearly rent: $21,298
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $17.07

44. Spring, Texas

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,777
• 2024 average yearly rent: $21,329
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $17.09

43. Plano, Texas

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,782
• 2024 average yearly rent: $21,386
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $17.14

42. Fresno, California

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,785
• 2024 average yearly rent: $21,423
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $17.17

41. Colorado Springs, Colorado

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,819
• 2024 average yearly rent: $21,823
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $17.49

40. Henderson, Nevada

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,853
• 2024 average yearly rent: $22,234
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $17.82

39. Modesto, California

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,878
• 2024 average yearly rent: $22,531
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $18.05

38. Nashville, Tennessee

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,878
• 2024 average yearly rent: $22,533
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $18.06

37. Virginia Beach, Virginia

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,883
• 2024 average yearly rent: $22,592
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $18.10

36. Katy, Texas

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,910
• 2024 average yearly rent: $22,919
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $18.36

35. Reno, Nevada

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,911
• 2024 average yearly rent: $22,932
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $18.38

34. Bakersfield, California

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,913
• 2024 average yearly rent: $22,953
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $18.39

33. Atlanta

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,938
• 2024 average yearly rent: $23,257
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $18.64

32. Aurora, Colorado

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,940
• 2024 average yearly rent: $23,275
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $18.65

31. Orlando, Florida

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,981
• 2024 average yearly rent: $23,768
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $19.05

30. Chandler, Arizona

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,983
• 2024 average yearly rent: $23,798
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $19.07

29. Denver

• 2024 average monthly rent: $1,986
• 2024 average yearly rent: $23,829
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $19.09

28. Silver Spring, Maryland

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,001
• 2024 average yearly rent: $24,013
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $19.24

27. Stockton, California

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,061
• 2024 average yearly rent: $24,735
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $19.82

26. St. Petersburg, Florida

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,072
• 2024 average yearly rent: $24,858
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $19.92

25. Lawrenceville, Georgia

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,086
• 2024 average yearly rent: $25,032
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $20.06

24. Newark, New Jersey

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,087
• 2024 average yearly rent: $25,043
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $20.07

23. Sacramento, California

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,096
• 2024 average yearly rent: $25,151
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $20.15

22. Chicago

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,133
• 2024 average yearly rent: $25,592
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $20.51

21. Gilbert, Arizona

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,158
• 2024 average yearly rent: $25,895
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $20.75

20. Seattle

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,169
• 2024 average yearly rent: $26,030
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $20.86

19. Tampa, Florida

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,189
• 2024 average yearly rent: $26,268
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $21.05

18. Long Beach, California

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,235
• 2024 average yearly rent: $26,816
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $21.49

17. Riverside, California

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,374
• 2024 average yearly rent: $28,485
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $22.82

16. Honolulu

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,396
• 2024 average yearly rent: $28,757
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $23.04

15. Washington, D.C.

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,439
• 2024 average yearly rent: $29,269
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $23.45

14. Oakland, California

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,494
• 2024 average yearly rent: $29,924
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $23.98

13. Anaheim, California

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,691
• 2024 average yearly rent: $32,293
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $25.88

12. Los Angeles

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,785
• 2024 average yearly rent: $33,419
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $26.78

11. Santa Ana, California

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,822
• 2024 average yearly rent: $33,867
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $27.14

10. Naples, Florida

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,955
• 2024 average yearly rent: $35,455
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $28.41

9. San Diego

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,982
• 2024 average yearly rent: $35,790
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $28.68

8. Chula Vista, California

• 2024 average monthly rent: $2,992
• 2024 average yearly rent: $35,905
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $28.77

7. Jersey City, New Jersey

• 2024 average monthly rent: $3,047
• 2024 average yearly rent: $36,560
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $29.29

6. Miami

• 2024 average monthly rent: $3,118
• 2024 average yearly rent: $37,420
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $29.98

5. San Jose, California

• 2024 average monthly rent: $3,123
• 2024 average yearly rent: $37,477
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $30.03

4. Boston

• 2024 average monthly rent: $3,207
• 2024 average yearly rent: $38,480
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $30.83

3. Irvine, California

• 2024 average monthly rent: $3,222
• 2024 average yearly rent: $38,661
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $30.98

2. San Francisco

• 2024 average monthly rent: $3,237
• 2024 average yearly rent: $38,848
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $31.13

1. New York

• 2024 average monthly rent: $3,523
• 2024 average yearly rent: $42,279
• Hourly wage needed to afford rent for two: $33.88

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates looked at the largest 100 cities in the U.S. and sourced the average 2024 rent for each from Zillow’s April 2024 data. GOBankingRates then determined the hourly wage needed to afford rent for two people, assuming that spending on housing would not exceed 30%. All data is up to date as of May 23, 2024.

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