The Average Rent in Every State

Owning a home has long been an essential part of the American dream, combining the basic need for housing with the chance to invest in a piece of property. But, for an increasing portion of Americans, homeownership only seems to be getting further and further out of reach. For those people, renting isn’t a preference — it’s their only choice.
However, renting isn’t necessarily a financial setback, though it’s sometimes portrayed that way. Investing the money that you might have otherwise spent on a down payment can result in a brighter financial future than paying a mortgage with an interest rate that’s too high. There are also many different ways that a growing family can benefit from the flexibility of renting. After all, what defines a home is the people living in it, not who holds the deed.
In a new study, GOBankingRates used Zillow’s rent index to compile the average monthly rent for a single-family residence in every state. Median home list prices were also provided as supplemental data. The final ranking should allow you to understand which parts of the country are the least friendly to renters, and which states can help you save money and avoid squeezing your budget.
Last updated: April 17, 2020
1. West Virginia
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $169,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $879
2. Oklahoma
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $192,701
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $953
3. Arkansas
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $179,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $964
4. Alabama
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $219,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,026
5. Kansas
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $194,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,049
6. Iowa
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $179,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,057
7. Missouri
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $190,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,062
8. Mississippi
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $188,500
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,080
9. Kentucky
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $199,500
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,097
10. Indiana
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $195,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,110
11. Wyoming
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $259,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,130
12. Michigan
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $186,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,135
13. Ohio
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $180,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,136
14. Wisconsin
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $224,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,158
15. Tennessee
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $259,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,166
16. South Dakota
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $227,500
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,180
17. New Mexico
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $239,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,209
18. South Carolina
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $254,990
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,234
19. Louisiana
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $219,280
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,245
20. North Carolina
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $275,500
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,246
21. Nebraska
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $214,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,258
22. Pennsylvania
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $219,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,258
23. Montana
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $325,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,269
24. Idaho
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $332,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,293
25. Georgia
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $264,375
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,310
26. North Dakota
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $229,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,338
27. Maine
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $255,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,439
28. Arizona
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $300,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,440
29. Delaware
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $299,990
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,447
30. Texas
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $283,146
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,486
31. Illinois
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $240,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,491
32. Virginia
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $320,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,498
33. Minnesota
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $279,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,500
34. Utah
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $374,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,568
35. Nevada
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $337,500
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,623
36. Florida
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $309,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,658
37. Vermont
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $278,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,667
38. Oregon
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $395,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,738
39. Alaska
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $305,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,754
40. Connecticut
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $349,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,813
41. New Hampshire
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $319,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,821
42. Maryland
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $341,990
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,828
43. Washington
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $429,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,893
44. Colorado
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $449,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $1,976
45. New Jersey
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $349,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $2,063
46. New York
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $348,569
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $2,067
47. Rhode Island
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $329,900
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $2,200
48. Massachusetts
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $479,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $2,257
49. Hawaii
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $489,500
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $2,500
50. California
- Median list price for a single-family residence: $560,000
- Average monthly rent for a single-family residence: $2,598
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Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the average rent in every state by sourcing Zillow’s rent index for single-family residences, which tracks median monthly rents from January to June 2019, and calculating the average for this six-month period. Zillow rent index data for single-family residences was not available for Nevada and Rhode Island, so rent list price was used instead. The median home listing price from Zillow’s July 2019 index was included as supplemental data. All data used to conduct this study was compiled and verified on Sept. 16, 2019.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. As a result, some of the images may not reflect a single-family residence at the price listed in this article.
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