How Many Hours You Need To Work To Afford Rent in 50 US Cities

The phrase "living wage" is meant to mean the salary at which you can reasonably expect to cover your bills and put some money away while working a full-time job. And while many people can expect their usual 40 hours a week to deliver on that, those living in major cities are increasingly finding it unrealistic. That's because a combination of stagnant wages and skyrocketing housing costs in many urban centers is creating a reality where the average worker shouldn't expect to clock out at five and still cover rent every month.

So which cities, in particular, require the most hours just to cover rent on an average apartment? A new study from GOBankingRates dug into the data and found the work week necessary based on the median hourly wage and rent in American cities. Using the 50-30-20 budget rule — in which no more than half of your pay goes to necessities — and average costs aside from rent, the study revealed how many hours the typical person needs to work to afford rent for a single-family home and apartments of various size. Data was not available for certain apartment sizes in certain cities.

The end results paint a troubling perspective on what it takes to live in the city when you're not among the highest earners, with many Americans needing to work long hours to have any hope of covering rent and still finding room to save for the future.

Last updated: Dec. 19, 2019

Cleveland

• Median hourly wage in Cleveland: $18.74
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $895
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 57
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,050
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 60
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $850
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 56
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $900
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 57

See: How To Save Money on All Your Expenses and Bills

Fort Wayne, Indiana

• Median hourly wage in Fort Wayne: $17.28
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $825
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 58
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $675
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 54
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: N/A
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: N/A
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $900
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 60

Toledo, Ohio

• Median hourly wage in Toledo: $17.33
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $797
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 58
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $495
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 50
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $700
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 56
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $845
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 60

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Kansas City, Missouri

• Median hourly wage in Kansas City: $18.88
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $922.50
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 59
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $950
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 59
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,100
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 63
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,120
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 64

St. Louis

• Median hourly wage in St. Louis: $18.69
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $975
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 60
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $750
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 55
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,070
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 63
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,274
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 68

Detroit

• Median hourly wage in Detroit: $19.52
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $825
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 61
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: N/A
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: N/A
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: N/A
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: N/A
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $900
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 62

Durham, North Carolina

• Median hourly wage in Durham: $21.94
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,500
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 62
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,242
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 57
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,393
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 60
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,515
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 63

Wichita, Kansas

• Median hourly wage in Wichita: $17.20
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $850
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 62
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: N/A
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: N/A
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $750
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 60
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $990
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 66

Milwaukee

• Median hourly wage in Milwaukee: $18.91
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,000
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 62
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $945
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 61
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $975
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 62
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,050
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 64

Baltimore

• Median hourly wage in Baltimore: $21.41
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,325
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 64
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,395
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 65
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,310
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 63
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,359
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 65

Saint Paul, Minnesota

• Median hourly wage in Saint Paul: $21.89
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,525
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 64
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,179
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 57
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,365
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 61
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,545
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 64

Indianapolis

• Median hourly wage in Indianapolis: $18.15
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,107.50
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 64
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $810
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 56
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $875
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 58
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,100
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 64

Jacksonville, Florida

• Median hourly wage in Jacksonville: $16.90
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $850
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 66
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,136
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,260
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,350
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 79

Tulsa, Oklahoma

• Median hourly wage in Tulsa: $17.25
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $950
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 66
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $765
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 61
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $850
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 63
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,075
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 69

Memphis, Tennessee

• Median hourly wage in Memphis: $16.61
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $925
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 67
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $852
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 65
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $875
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 66
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $975
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 68

Buffalo, New York

• Median hourly wage in Buffalo: $18.27
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,100
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 68
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $850
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 61
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,000
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 65
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $995
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 65

Oklahoma City

• Median hourly wage in Oklahoma City: $17.55
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,000
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 68
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $750
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 61
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $850
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 64
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,125
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 71

Madison, Wisconsin

• Median hourly wage in Madison: $19.15
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,400
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 69
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,025
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 60
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,275
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 66
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,665
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 75

Louisville, Kentucky

• Median hourly wage in Louisville: $17.47
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,150
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 69
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $924
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 63
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,000
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 65
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,249
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 72

Minneapolis

• Median hourly wage in Minneapolis: $21.89
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,825
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 70
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,495
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 63
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,800
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 70
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,875
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 71

Columbus, Ohio

• Median hourly wage in Columbus: $15.12
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $850
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 71
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $960
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,049
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,375
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 87

Philadelphia

• Median hourly wage in Philadelphia: $20.47
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,400
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 71
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,500
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,650
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,400
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 71

Lexington, Kentucky

• Median hourly wage in Lexington: $17.28
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,257
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 72
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $775
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 59
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $975
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 64
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,295
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 73

Omaha, Nebraska

• Median hourly wage in Omaha: $18.46
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,290
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 72
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $850
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 61
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,005
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 65
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,300
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 72

Anchorage, Alaska

• Median hourly wage in Anchorage: $22.68
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,800
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 72
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $900
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 54
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,250
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 61
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,720
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 70

Pittsburgh

• Median hourly wage in Pittsburgh: $18.74
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,397.50
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 72
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,250
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 69
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,350
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 71
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,550
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 76

Raleigh, North Carolina

• Median hourly wage in Raleigh: $18.97
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,495
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 72
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,100
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 63
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,300
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 68
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,453
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 71

Norfolk, Virginia

• Median hourly wage in Norfolk: $18.33
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,425
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,055
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 64
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $995
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 63
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,400
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 73

Dallas

• Median hourly wage in Dallas: $18.79
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,410
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,340
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 72
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,732
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 82
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,895
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 86

Greensboro, North Carolina

• Median hourly wage in Greensboro: $16.78
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,225
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $795
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 62
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $890
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 65
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,150
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 72

Cincinnati

• Median hourly wage in Cincinnati: $18.45
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,512.50
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $900
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 59
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,100
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 64
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,550
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 75

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

• Median hourly wage in Winston-Salem: $16.87
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,275
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: N/A
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: N/A
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $900
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 64
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,250
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74

Tucson, Arizona

• Median hourly wage in Tucson: $17.03
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,300
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $700
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 58
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $856
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 62
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,295
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74

Chicago

• Median hourly wage in Chicago: $19.81
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,601
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 76
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,542
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,750
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 79
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,950
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 84

San Antonio, Texas

• Median hourly wage in San Antonio: $16.94
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,300
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 76
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $985
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 67
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,235
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,435
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 79

Lubbock, Texas

• Median hourly wage in Lubbock: $15.75
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,175
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 76
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $585
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 58
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $760
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 64
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,200
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77

Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Median hourly wage in Albuquerque: $16.79
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,350
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 76
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $773
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 33
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $981
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 66
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,370
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 76

Richmond, Virginia

• Median hourly wage in Richmond: $26
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $2,800
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 76
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,096
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 46
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,279
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 49
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,500
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 53

Charlotte, North Carolina

• Median hourly wage in Charlotte: $18.29
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,499
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,345
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 73
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,511
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,540
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 78

Houston

• Median hourly wage in Houston: $19.05
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,590
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,264
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 69
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,495
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 75
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,595
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77

Garland, Texas

• Median hourly wage in Garland: $18.86
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,550
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,201
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 69
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,400
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 73
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,550
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77

Virginia Beach, Virginia

• Median hourly wage in Virginia Beach: $18.33
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,500
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,091
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 67
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,250
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 71
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,500
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77

Boise, Idaho

• Median hourly wage in Boise: $16.96
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,450
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,003
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 65
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,200
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 71
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,495
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 79

Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Median hourly wage in Colorado Springs: $18.61
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,650
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 78
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,325
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 70
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,406
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 72
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,650
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 78

Jersey City, New Jersey

• Median hourly wage in Jersey City: $22.64
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $2,000
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 78
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $2,500
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 88
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $2,400
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 86
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $2,050
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 79

Sacramento, California

• Median hourly wage in Sacramento: $20.65
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,850
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 78
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,439
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 69
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,686
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 74
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,850
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 78

Aurora, Colorado

• Median hourly wage in Aurora: $21.84
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $2,095
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 78
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,195
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 59
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,532
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 66
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $2,005
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 76

Glendale, Arizona

• Median hourly wage in Glendale: $18.26
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,495
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 78
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $988
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 66
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,220
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 71
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,534
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 79

Fort Worth, Texas

• Median hourly wage in Fort Worth: $18.86
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,602.50
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 79
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,250
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 70
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,520
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 76
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,550
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 77

Atlanta

• Median hourly wage in Atlanta: $18.79
• Single-family home
  • Median rent: $1,600
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 79
• One-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $1,600
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 79
• Two-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $2,165
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 93
• Three-bedroom apartment
  • Median rent: $2,095
  • Average weekly hours you need to work to afford it: 91

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Methodology: GOBankingRates looked at America's 100 biggest cities according to the United States Census Bureau's 2018 American Community Survey to determine the average number of hours residents of each city would need to work to afford rent. Hourly figures were rounded up to the nearest whole number for practicality. GOBankingRates compiled (1) the median hourly wage in each city's metropolitan area according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' estimates and calculated (2) a cost of living without housing estimate for each city by multiplying the Consumer Expenditure Survey's national estimates for annual necessity costs (including grocery, healthcare, utility, and transportation costs) by Sperling's Best Places cost indices for each expense in each city. GOBankingRates then compiled (3) the median rent for single-family residences, (4) one-bedroom, (5) two-bedroom and (6) three-bedroom rental units in each city, according to Zillow's housing data. Combining these figures with factor 3 for each city allowed us to calculate a total necessary salary to afford each rental category according to the 50-30-20 rule, which prescribes that necessities cost no more than 50% of one's annual budget total. Dividing these estimated salaries by the median hourly wage in each city allowed GOBankingRates to calculate (9) the number of hours residents making the median hourly wage would need to work annually to afford rent for each kind of unit on a 50-30-20 budget in each city. Dividing factor 9 by 52 provided (10) the number of hours residents would need to work weekly. All data was compiled on and is up to date as of Dec. 3, 2019.

About the Author

Joel Anderson

Joel Anderson is a business and finance writer with over a decade of experience writing about the wide world of finance. Based in Los Angeles, he specializes in writing about the financial markets, stocks, macroeconomic concepts and focuses on helping make complex financial concepts digestible for the retail investor.

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