Nearly 5% of Americans remain unemployed, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While that number is the lowest recorded since the onset of the pandemic, it’s still significantly higher than it was before COVID-19. Many other Americans are now under-employed, with cuts to their hours or loss of business.
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With so many people seeing their income reduced, it’s no surprise that many are struggling to pay their rent. But people are struggling in some states worse than in others. To get a better sense of which places have the most vulnerable renters, GOBankingRates conducted a study to determine which locales have the worst combination of high rents and high unemployment. The study included the unemployment rate, the average rent on a one-bedroom apartment and the percentage of people who missed a rent or mortgage payment last month or have no expectation to be able to pay next month, per the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey.
Take a closer look at which places appear to be having the toughest time paying rent, and which states have a better chance at bouncing back from the crisis.
Last updated: Oct. 22, 2021
51. Utah
- December unemployment rate: 3.6%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $944
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,281,207
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 56,213
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 4.0%
50. North Dakota
- December unemployment rate: 4.1%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $672
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 561,016
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 13,621
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 4.5%
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49. Washington
- December unemployment rate: 7.1%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,144
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,890,357
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 175,814
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 4.7%
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48. New Hampshire
- December unemployment rate: 4.0%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $994
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,073,014
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 30,765
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 4.7%
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47. Vermont
- December unemployment rate: 3.1%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: N/A
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 485,485
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 14,789
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 5.0%
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46. Maine
- December unemployment rate: 4.9%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $850
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,065,620
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 31,266
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 5.0%
45. Wisconsin
- December unemployment rate: 5.5%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $763
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,438,719
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 134,528
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 5.1%
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44. Massachusetts
- December unemployment rate: 7.4%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,133
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,324,065
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 191,678
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 5.8%
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43. Nebraska
- December unemployment rate: 3.0%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $745
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,418,191
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 51,548
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 6.3%
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42. Oregon
- December unemployment rate: 6.4%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $997
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,302,727
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 135,797
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 6.4%
41. Hawaii
- December unemployment rate: 9.3%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,418
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,073,229
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 45,709
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 6.7%
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40. Montana
- December unemployment rate: 4.4%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $728
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 822,204
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 34,894
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 6.9%
39. Idaho
- December unemployment rate: 4.4%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $691
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,343,198
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 58,013
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 6.9%
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38. Virginia
- December unemployment rate: 4.9%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,171
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 6,472,737
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 280,797
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 7.2%
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37. Colorado
- December unemployment rate: 8.4%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,155
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,454,718
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 209,615
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 7.2%
36. Missouri
- December unemployment rate: 5.8%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $721
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,617,880
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 192,722
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 7.3%
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35. New Jersey
- December unemployment rate: 7.6%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,282
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 6,776,822
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 279,340
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 7.7%
34. North Carolina
- December unemployment rate: 6.2%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $868
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 8,017,566
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 355,974
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.2%
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33. Michigan
- December unemployment rate: 7.5%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $761
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 7,644,458
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 326,514
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.2%
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32. Indiana
- December unemployment rate: 4.3%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $727
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,015,550
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 229,565
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.2%
31. Arkansas
- December unemployment rate: 4.2%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $600
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,246,527
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 88,386
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.2%
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30. West Virginia
- December unemployment rate: 6.3%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $596
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,379,576
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 52,691
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.3%
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29. Iowa
- December unemployment rate: 3.1%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $646
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,342,905
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 102,684
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.4%
28. Florida
- December unemployment rate: 6.1%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,098
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 17,085,385
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 786,106
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.4%
27. South Dakota
- December unemployment rate: 3.0%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $627
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 642,658
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 30,166
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.5%
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26. Pennsylvania
- December unemployment rate: 6.7%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $831
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 9,776,154
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 426,118
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.5%
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25. Minnesota
- December unemployment rate: 4.4%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $876
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,241,624
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 216,529
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.5%
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24. Arizona
- December unemployment rate: 7.5%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $965
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,597,268
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 288,107
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.5%
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23. Kentucky
- December unemployment rate: 6.0%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $685
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,344,102
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 170,325
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.7%
22. Connecticut
- December unemployment rate: 8.0%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,095
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,732,423
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 141,812
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.9%
21. Georgia
- December unemployment rate: 5.6%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $969
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 7,955,983
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 412,446
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 9.0%
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20. Alabama
- December unemployment rate: 3.9%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $726
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,717,378
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 177,537
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 9.2%
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19. District of Columbia
- December unemployment rate: 7.9%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,552
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 542,635
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 36,093
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 9.4%
18. Illinois
- December unemployment rate: 7.6%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $859
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 9,546,424
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 511,738
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 9.6%
17. Kansas
- December unemployment rate: 3.8%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $694
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,140,957
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 118,723
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 10.0%
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16. Delaware
- December unemployment rate: 5.3%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,122
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 754,637
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 43,148
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 10.0%
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15. Rhode Island
- December unemployment rate: 8.1%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $924
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 817,559
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 49,851
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 10.4%
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14. Ohio
- December unemployment rate: 5.5%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $677
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 8,822,539
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 515,662
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 10.6%
13. Nevada
- December unemployment rate: 9.2%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $988
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,399,457
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 160,386
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 10.9%
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12. Alaska
- December unemployment rate: 5.8%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $974
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 524,925
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 36,488
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 10.9%
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11. Oklahoma
- December unemployment rate: 5.3%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $685
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,916,436
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 170,910
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 11.1%
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10. South Carolina
- December unemployment rate: 4.6%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $852
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,969,123
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 233,903
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 11.5%
9. Texas
- December unemployment rate: 7.2%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $930
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 21,356,906
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 1,356,917
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 11.7%
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8. New York
- December unemployment rate: 8.2%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,308
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 14,847,080
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 964,774
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 12.0%
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7. Tennessee
- December unemployment rate: 6.4%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $800
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,221,475
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 317,433
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 12.1%
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6. Maryland
- December unemployment rate: 6.3%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,245
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,586,920
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 353,007
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 12.1%
5. Wyoming
- December unemployment rate: 4.8%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $676
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 433,400
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 30,632
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 12.2%
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4. California
- December unemployment rate: 9.0%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,433
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 29,939,021
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 2,232,487
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 12.3%
3. New Mexico
- December unemployment rate: 8.2%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $750
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,589,574
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 113,055
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 12.5%
2. Mississippi
- December unemployment rate: 6.2%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $699
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,189,670
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 140,639
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 13.2%
1. Louisiana
- December unemployment rate: 7.2%
- Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $754
- Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,431,432
- Adults unable to pay for housing: 300,053
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 17.9%
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Methodology: GOBankingRates reviewed the United States Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey to find out where Americans are having the hardest time paying rent. The survey measures the number of adults in each state who are not current on rent or mortgage payments, or who have slight or no confidence that their household can pay next month’s rent or mortgage on time as of the period Dec. 9-21, 2020. GOBankingRates ordered all 50 states and the District of Columbia from the state where the highest percentage of the adult population is unable to pay for housing (No. 1) to the state where the lowest percentage is unable to pay for housing (No. 51). They are ranked here in reverse order. GOBankingRates also provided the December 2020 unemployment rate from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the December 2020 estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment from Apartment List for each state as supplemental information. All data was collected on and up to date as of Jan. 26, 2021.