14 States Where Rent Is Under $1,300 — No. 1 Costs Just $1,035/Month
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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According to a comprehensive new study by Seven Seas Worldwide, rent prices hit record highs across much of America in 2025, with major metros routinely charging $2,500 to $3,000 monthly for modest apartments. New York averaged $2,739, Massachusetts hit $2,837 and California demanded $2,587 for typical rental units. The affordability crisis pushed millions of Americans to reconsider where they lived, triggering one of the largest interstate migration patterns in decades.
But not every state participated in the rental price explosion. The study analyzed all 50 states using six key affordability metrics — including average rent, median home prices, utilities and relocation costs — to identify where Americans could still find genuinely affordable housing in 2026.
The findings show a pretty major geographic divide: While coastal states priced out middle-class renters, a cluster of states across the South and Midwest kept average rent firmly under $1,300 monthly. Here are the 13 states where rent remained most affordable.
Oklahoma: $1,035 Average Monthly Rent
Oklahoma claimed the title of America’s most affordable rental market, with average rent at just $1,035 monthly — nearly $1,000 less than the national hotspots. The state combined rock-bottom rental costs with the second-lowest median home price nationally at $245,900, creating opportunities for both renters and aspiring homeowners.
The rental affordability stemmed from steady housing construction, abundant land and one of the lowest overall costs of living in the nation. Cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa offer urban amenities — professional sports, thriving arts districts, revitalized downtowns, the works — without the financial strain of coastal metros.
The state’s only significant drawback appeared in car registration fees, which ranked 45th nationally at $96. However, the extraordinary housing savings more than compensated for this single elevated expense.
Arkansas: $1,093 Average Monthly Rent
Arkansas secured second place with average rent at $1,093 monthly, representing the third-lowest rental costs nationally. The state paired affordable rent with a competitive median home price of $255,300, ranking seventh nationwide. According to the Seven Seas study, Arkansas offered “consistently low costs across nearly every metric.”
The state’s affordability reflected wide-open land availability, slower urbanization compared to coastal regions and a generally low cost of doing business. Cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville provided urban amenities and growing job markets while maintaining housing costs that felt increasingly anachronistic compared to expensive metros.
Registration fees stayed reasonable at $24, and moving labor costs averaged just $21.19 hourly, making relocation itself more affordable than in higher-wage states.
North Dakota: $1,077 Average Monthly Rent
North Dakota quietly offered one of the lowest rental markets in the country, with average rent at just $1,077, second only to Oklahoma. The state combined low rent with a manageable median home price of $350,000, keeping both renting and buying within reach for middle-income households.
The tradeoff came in transportation costs: car registration fees ranked among the highest nationally at $162. Still, housing affordability remained the dominant factor, especially for renters prioritizing low monthly payments over long-term ownership.
Cities like Fargo and Bismarck provided stable job markets tied to healthcare, education, agriculture, and energy, along with short commutes and minimal congestion. For renters focused purely on keeping monthly costs low, North Dakota delivered one of the strongest value propositions in the country.
South Dakota: $1,127 Average Monthly Rent
South Dakota ranked fourth nationally for lowest rent at $1,127 monthly, keeping housing costs extremely manageable for residents. The median home price sat at $325,700, still below the U.S. average, while moving labor remained inexpensive at $20.87 hourly.
The state’s low population density and simple regulatory environment contributed to the affordable housing market. With vast land availability and minimal urban congestion, South Dakota maintained one of the lowest overall costs of living in the country.
Rapid City and Sioux Falls offered small-city amenities (local restaurants, outdoor recreation access, stable job markets) without the housing premiums attached to larger metros.
Iowa: $1,220 Average Monthly Rent
Iowa combined $1,220 average monthly rent, ranking fifth nationally, with the single most affordable median home price in the entire study at just $230,600. This made homeownership significantly more attainable than in most states, while renters benefited from well-below-average monthly costs.
Driver’s license fees added only $17.50, ranking fifth-lowest nationally and keeping transportation startup costs minimal. The Seven Seas study noted that “consistent economic stability and cheap land costs make it a standout” in the affordable housing landscape.
Cities like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids offered Midwestern practicality: stable employment, low crime rates, quality schools and housing markets where middle-class families could actually afford to buy homes.
Louisiana: $1,235 Average Monthly Rent
Louisiana’s $1,235 average rent ranked sixth nationally, paired with the fifth-lowest median home prices at $253,200. The state also delivered ninth-cheapest utility costs nationally at $389.62 monthly, compounding the housing affordability with lower ongoing expenses.
The rental affordability reflected slower population growth compared to Sun Belt boom states like Texas and Florida, creating favorable market conditions for both renters and buyers. New Orleans offered unique culture and cuisine, while Baton Rouge and Shreveport provided more affordable alternatives with growing job markets.
Property availability remained ample, preventing the supply squeezes that drove up costs in faster-growing regions.
Kansas: $1,243 Average Monthly Rent
Kansas delivered $1,243 average rent–seventh-lowest nationally–alongside moderate median home prices at $280,900. But the state’s biggest standout came from transportation costs: Kansas offered the cheapest driver’s license fees in America at just $4.
The combination of affordable housing and minimal licensing costs made Kansas particularly attractive for families and first-time homebuyers stretching budgets. Cities like Wichita and Overland Park provided stable employment in manufacturing, healthcare and aviation industries while keeping living costs manageable.
Affordable transportation and low overall living expenses continued positioning Kansas as a top destination for Americans fleeing expensive coastal markets.
Missouri: $1,273 Average Monthly Rent
Missouri’s $1,273 average rent ranked eighth nationally, with mid-range median home prices at $263,300 keeping both rental and ownership markets accessible. The state offered the second-lowest driver’s license fees in the country at just $10, adding another cost advantage for new residents.
Moving labor wages and registration fees remained affordable, with registration costing just $24.75. The study noted that “the Show-Me State keeps costs down due to its relatively low urban congestion and steady homebuilding pace.”
Kansas City and St. Louis provided genuine metro experiences–professional sports, cultural institutions, diverse restaurant scenes–at housing costs that remained shocking compared to coastal cities. A decent apartment in Kansas City’s trendy neighborhoods cost less than a studio in San Francisco’s worst districts.
West Virginia: $1,275 Average Monthly Rent
West Virginia ranked ninth for rental affordability at $1,275 monthly on average, with median home prices at $258,800, keeping ownership within reach for working families. The state’s low population density and abundant land prevented the supply constraints driving up costs elsewhere.
The mountain state offered dramatic natural beauty — world-class white water rafting, hiking and outdoor recreation — without the Colorado price tags. Cities like Charleston and Morgantown provided employment in healthcare, education and energy sectors while maintaining remarkably low housing costs.
Registration fees stayed reasonable at $51.50, though utilities ran slightly higher than some other affordable states at $486.11 monthly.
Ohio: $1,279 Average Monthly Rent
Ohio’s $1,279 average rent ranked 10th nationally, paired with the fourth-lowest median home price at $248,600. This combination created opportunities across the housing spectrum, from affordable rentals to attainable homeownership.
The state’s major metros–Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland–offered genuinely urban experiences with thriving downtowns, professional sports, world-class hospitals and universities and diverse job markets spanning healthcare, manufacturing, technology and finance. Yet housing costs remained a fraction of coastal equivalents.
Registration fees stayed reasonable at $31, and driver’s license fees cost $44, keeping transportation startup costs manageable for relocating families.
Nebraska: $1,285 Average Monthly Rent
Nebraska rounded out the top ten with $1,285 average rent–11th-lowest nationally–and excellent utility affordability at $379.34 monthly, ranking sixth nationwide. The median home price sat at $288,800, still well below coastal markets.
Car registration fees ranked fourth-lowest nationally at just $20.50, adding another cost advantage. The Seven Seas study highlighted that Nebraska “performs well across the board without a single major weakness,” maintaining balanced affordability across all measured categories.
Kentucky: $1,287 Average Monthly Rent
Kentucky delivered $1,287 average rent — just under the $1,300 threshold — along with a median home price of $270,200 that ranked well below the national average. Driver’s license fees stayed low at $23, while car registration fees ranked among the most affordable nationwide at $21.
The state’s affordability reflected slower population growth and steady housing supply, which prevented the sharp rent spikes seen in faster-growing Sun Belt states. Utilities ran slightly higher at $464.67 monthly, but housing savings continued to drive overall affordability.
Alabama: $1,288 Average Monthly Rent
Alabama also makes the under-$1,300 group with average rent at $1,288, supported by a median home price of $282,400. While utilities and registration fees ran somewhat higher than neighboring states, housing costs remained the primary driver of affordability.
The state benefited from ample land availability and moderate population growth, which helped keep rental markets from overheating. Moving labor wages were also among the lowest in the country at just $20.03 hourly, making relocation itself more affordable.
Indiana: $1,293 Average Monthly Rent
Indiana narrowly made the under-$1,300 cutoff with average rent at $1,293, pairing affordable rentals with a competitive median home price of $258,900. Utility costs ran higher than some peer states at $469.51 monthly, but housing affordability kept overall living expenses in check.
Car registration fees ranked among the lowest nationally at just $21.35, helping offset higher utility bills. Moving labor costs also remained reasonable, keeping relocation expenses manageable for families and workers moving in from pricier regions.
