The Most Expensive ZIP Codes in Each City for Renters

There’s an age-old debate about whether it’s better to rent or buy when it comes to housing. Both sides of the discussion have their pros and cons, and often the correct answer is a personal decision. Part of the problem is that it’s hard to know exactly how expensive it is to rent in certain markets. To help fill this information void, GOBankingRates surveyed rental rates for single-family residences across the largest housing markets in the U.S. and listed the most expensive ZIP codes for renters in each city. For purposes of the study, some cities had as few as two expensive ZIP codes listed, while others had as many as five.

The most expensive ZIP codes for renters may seem easy to identify, but the actual list is full of surprises. For example, the average rent in the most expensive ZIP code in New York City, 10014, is just $4,076. Yes, this is certainly a lot, but with New York’s reputation for high real estate costs, this number seems surprisingly manageable. In fact, rents in the 94611 ZIP code in Oakland, California, run $4,710 per month, nearly 15% higher than the top rent in New York’s priciest ZIP code.

Another interesting result of the study is that the definition of “high” rent varies wildly from city to city. For example, the most expensive ZIP code in Detroit costs renters just $870 per month — the lowest rate in any city in the study. Compare this with the most expensive ZIP code in the entire U.S., 90049, which comes in at a whopping $10,680 per month — and that’s just the average rent. The point is that “expensive” can really be quite a regional designation, and if one area seems too pricey for you, there might be one reasonably nearby that you may consider affordable. 

Overall, the average monthly rent in America’s priciest ZIP codes comes in at $1,644. To determine how much rent you can reasonably afford, start by building a realistic budget to help prevent you from reaching for a ZIP code that would strain your finances. 

With that in mind, here’s a look at America’s most expensive ZIP codes for renters, listed alphabetically by city.

Last updated: Dec. 17, 2019  

Albuquerque, New Mexico

1. ZIP code: 87111
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,522
2. ZIP code: 87114
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,379
3. ZIP code: 87123
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,379
4. ZIP code: 87120
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,318

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Arlington, Texas

1. ZIP code: 76002
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,777
2. ZIP code: 76016
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,710
3. ZIP code: 76001
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,697
4. ZIP code: 76017
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,634
5. ZIP code: 76018
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,586

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Atlanta

1. ZIP code: 30317
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,721
2. ZIP code: 30316
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,710
3. ZIP code: 30318
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,603
4. ZIP code: 30331
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,363
5. ZIP code: 30311
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,320

Aurora, Colorado

1. ZIP code: 80016
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,591
2. ZIP code: 80015
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,221
3. ZIP code: 80013
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,103
4. ZIP code: 80014
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,054
5. ZIP code: 80012
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,927

Austin, Texas

1. ZIP code: 78746
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,375
2. ZIP code: 78703
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,031
3. ZIP code: 78732
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,827
4. ZIP code: 78702
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,372
5. ZIP code: 78756
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,182

Baltimore

1. ZIP code: 21230
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,802
2. ZIP code: 21231
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,706
3. ZIP code: 21224
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,676
4. ZIP code: 21211
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,618
5. ZIP code: 21239
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,508

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

1. ZIP code: 70810
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,456
2. ZIP code: 70817
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,452
3. ZIP code: 70808
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,325

Boston

1. ZIP code: 02134
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,778
2. ZIP code: 02127
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,675
3. ZIP code: 02135
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,271
4. ZIP code: 02130
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,037
5. ZIP code: 02114
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,035

Charlotte, North Carolina

1. ZIP code: 28226
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,833
2. ZIP code: 28210
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,763
3. ZIP code: 28277
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,756
4. ZIP code: 28209
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,716
5. ZIP code: 28278
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,689

Chicago

1. ZIP code: 60614
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,849
2. ZIP code: 60618
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,097
3. ZIP code: 60654
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,087
4. ZIP code: 60611
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,021
5. ZIP code: 60616
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,015

Cleveland

1. ZIP code: 44120
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $956
2. ZIP code: 44109
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $878
3. ZIP code: 44128
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $829
4. ZIP code: 44105
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $806

Colorado Springs, Colorado

1. ZIP code: 80921
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,246
2. ZIP code: 80919
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,896
3. ZIP code: 80920
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,803
4. ZIP code: 80906
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,730
5. ZIP code: 80922
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,715

Columbia, South Carolina

1. ZIP code: 29229
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,322
2. ZIP code: 29201
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,267
3. ZIP code: 29212
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,248

Columbus, Ohio

1. ZIP code: 43202
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,376
2. ZIP code: 43206
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,269
3. ZIP code: 43205
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,130
4. ZIP code: 43232
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,098
5. ZIP code: 43207
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,010

Dallas

1. ZIP code: 75252
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,528
2. ZIP code: 75204
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,501
3. ZIP code: 75229
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,437
4. ZIP code: 75248
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,358
5. ZIP code: 75206
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,330

Denver

1. ZIP code: 80206
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,027
2. ZIP code: 80209
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,778
3. ZIP code: 80211
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,630
4. ZIP code: 80210
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,536
5. ZIP code: 80238
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,534

Detroit

1. ZIP code: 48221
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $870
2. ZIP code: 48235
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $841
3. ZIP code: 48224
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $833

El Paso, Texas

1. ZIP code: 79932
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,358
2. ZIP code: 79912
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,354
3. ZIP code: 79938
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,232
4. ZIP code: 79934
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,226

Fort Worth, Texas

1. ZIP code: 76109
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,449
2. ZIP code: 76177
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,847
3. ZIP code: 76107
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,816
4. ZIP code: 76244
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,806
5. ZIP code: 76110
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,798

Fresno, California

1. ZIP code: 93720
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,773
2. ZIP code: 93722
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,499

Honolulu

1. ZIP code: 96825
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,395
2. ZIP code: 96822
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,412
3. ZIP code: 96815
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,265
4. ZIP code: 96817
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,230

Houston

1. ZIP code: 77005
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,262
2. ZIP code: 77027
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,186
3. ZIP code: 77024
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,947
4. ZIP code: 77007
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,705
5. ZIP code: 77094
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,601

Indianapolis

1. ZIP code: 46220
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,394
2. ZIP code: 46239
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,345
3. ZIP code: 46217
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,302
4. ZIP code: 46113
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,292
5. ZIP code: 46237
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,261

Jacksonville, Florida

1. ZIP code: 32250
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,218
2. ZIP code: 32224
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,806
3. ZIP code: 32256
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,776
4. ZIP code: 32258
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,627
5. ZIP code: 32225
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,606

Kansas City, Missouri

1. ZIP code: 64151
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,514
2. ZIP code: 64111
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,493
3. ZIP code: 64155
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,481

Knoxville, Tennessee

1. ZIP code: 37923
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,390
2. ZIP code: 37917
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $973

Las Vegas

1. ZIP code: 89138
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,201
2. ZIP code: 89135
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,118
3. ZIP code: 89117
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,908
4. ZIP code: 89144
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,800
5. ZIP code: 89141
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,776

Los Angeles

1. ZIP code: 90049
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $10,680
2. ZIP code: 90048
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $8,287
3. ZIP code: 90046
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $7,778
4. ZIP code: 90024
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $7,358
5. ZIP code: 90291
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $6,964

Louisville, Kentucky

1. ZIP code: 40207
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,695
2. ZIP code: 40217
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,245
3. ZIP code: 40229
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,192

Memphis, Tennessee

1. ZIP code: 38016
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,496
2. ZIP code: 38125
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,415
3. ZIP code: 38018
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,379
4. ZIP code: 38104
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,332

Mesa, Arizona

1. ZIP code: 85212
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,780
2. ZIP code: 85207
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,779
3. ZIP code: 85209
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,597
4. ZIP code: 85202
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,568
5. ZIP code: 85208
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,481

Miami

1. ZIP code: 33140
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $7,785
2. ZIP code: 33141
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $4,165
3. ZIP code: 33133
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,556
4. ZIP code: 33155
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,570
5. ZIP code: 33145
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,500

Milwaukee

1. ZIP code: 53218
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,047
2. ZIP code: 53209
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,012

Nashville, Tennessee

1. ZIP code: 37205
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,562
2. ZIP code: 37206
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,927
3. ZIP code: 37209
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,850
4. ZIP code: 37221
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,843
5. ZIP code: 37216
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,767

New Orleans

1. ZIP code: 70124
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,142
2. ZIP code: 70115
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,060
3. ZIP code: 70118
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,599

New York

1. ZIP code: 10014
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $4,076
2. ZIP code: 10011
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $4,058
3. ZIP code: 10003
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,995
4. ZIP code: 10282
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,850
5. ZIP code: 10036
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,623

Oakland, California

1. ZIP code: 94611
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $4,710
2. ZIP code: 94605
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,850

Oklahoma City

1. ZIP code: 73170
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,334
2. ZIP code: 73116
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,321
3. ZIP code: 73162
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,300

Omaha, Nebraska

1. ZIP code: 68106
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,296
2. ZIP code: 68105
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,239
3. ZIP code: 68104
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,109

Orlando, Florida

1. ZIP code: 32827
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,000
2. ZIP code: 32832
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,945
3. ZIP code: 32837
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,837
4. ZIP code: 32824
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,823
5. ZIP code: 32828
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,767

Philadelphia

1. ZIP code: 19123
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,190
2. ZIP code: 19147
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,033
3. ZIP code: 19130
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,976
4. ZIP code: 19127
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,879
5. ZIP code: 19122
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,744

Phoenix

1. ZIP code: 85254
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,844
2. ZIP code: 85331
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,442
3. ZIP code: 85016
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,969
4. ZIP code: 85050
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,949
5. ZIP code: 85083
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,824

Pittsburgh

1. ZIP code: 15213
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,811
2. ZIP code: 15217
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,636
3. ZIP code: 15203
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,593
4. ZIP code: 15201
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,432

Portland, Oregon

1. ZIP code: 97212
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,485
2. ZIP code: 97214
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,420
3. ZIP code: 97229
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,365
4. ZIP code: 97211
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,277
5. ZIP code: 97219
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,166

Raleigh, North Carolina

1. ZIP code: 27607
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,783
2. ZIP code: 27614
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,690
3. ZIP code: 27609
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,559
4. ZIP code: 27617
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,542
5. ZIP code: 27612
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,523

Riverside, California

1. ZIP code: 92508
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,462
2. ZIP code: 92506
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,200
3. ZIP code: 92507
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,172
4. ZIP code: 92503
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,149
5. ZIP code: 92509
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,070

Sacramento, California

1. ZIP code: 95835
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,193
2. ZIP code: 95834
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,193

San Antonio

1. ZIP code: 78260
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,908
2. ZIP code: 78261
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,823
3. ZIP code: 78258
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,766
4. ZIP code: 78259
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,754
5. ZIP code: 78253
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,669

San Diego

1. ZIP code: 92130
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $4,730
2. ZIP code: 92127
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $4,029
3. ZIP code: 92129
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,300
4. ZIP code: 92109
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,244
5. ZIP code: 92128
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,982

San Francisco

1. ZIP code: 94114
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $5,783
2. ZIP code: 94110
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $4,884
3. ZIP code: 94116
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $4,392
4. ZIP code: 94122
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $4,163
5. ZIP code: 94112
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,858

San Jose, California

1. ZIP code: 95120
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $4,304
2. ZIP code: 95129
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $4,084
3. ZIP code: 95125
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,928
4. ZIP code: 95124
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,833
5. ZIP code: 95148
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,723

Seattle

1. ZIP code: 98112
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,709
2. ZIP code: 98119
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,630
3. ZIP code: 98122
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,389
4. ZIP code: 98105
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,332
5. ZIP code: 98199
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,293

Tampa, Florida

1. ZIP code: 33606
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,790
2. ZIP code: 33609
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $2,159
3. ZIP code: 33611
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,950
4. ZIP code: 33647
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,900

Tucson, Arizona

1. ZIP code: 85743
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,505
2. ZIP code: 85719
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,392
3. ZIP code: 85745
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,390
4. ZIP code: 85742
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,371
5. ZIP code: 85747
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,341

Tulsa, Oklahoma

1. ZIP code: 74133
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,409
2. ZIP code: 74135
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,150
3. ZIP code: 74105
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,089
4. ZIP code: 74114
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,069

Virginia Beach, Virginia

1. ZIP code: 23456
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,863
2. ZIP code: 23455
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,696
3. ZIP code: 23454
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,586
4. ZIP code: 23464
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,534

Washington

1. ZIP code: 20007
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $4,705
2. ZIP code: 20016
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $4,568
3. ZIP code: 20009
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,430
4. ZIP code: 20010
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,296
5. ZIP code: 20003
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $3,257

Wichita, Kansas

1. ZIP code: 67207
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,104
2. ZIP code: 67212
   Median monthly rent in 2019: $1,094

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Methodology: GOBankingRates looked at 60 of the largest housing markets in the U.S., according to Zillow, in order to find the most expensive ZIP code in each city for renters. GOBankingRates first sourced the 2019 median rental list price (January 2019 to October 2019) for each city as sourced from Zillow and then took the most expensive ZIP codes for each city and included them in the final ranking. All data was collected and is up to date as of Dec. 2, 2019. 

About the Author

John Csiszar

After earning a B.A. in English with a Specialization in Business from UCLA, John Csiszar worked in the financial services industry as a registered representative for 18 years. Along the way, Csiszar earned both Certified Financial Planner and Registered Investment Adviser designations, in addition to being licensed as a life agent, while working for both a major Wall Street wirehouse and for his own investment advisory firm. During his time as an advisor, Csiszar managed over $100 million in client assets while providing individualized investment plans for hundreds of clients.

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