These Are the 50 Best Cities for Renters
Affordable rent is within reach — in these cities.View Gallery
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Buying a home is more affordable now than it’s been in years. Credit that to record-low mortgage rates and a drop in home prices between the first and second quarters of 2020, following a steady increase over the past eight years, according to Forbes. Still, many Americans aren’t jumping to buy a home. After all, the coronavirus pandemic put millions of people out of work, and others fear a future layoff. That’s why so many Americans remain renters and likely expect to rent for the foreseeable future.
Read: The Salary You Need To Afford Rent in Every State
And while no one likes to pay rent, that burden differs depending on where you live, a GOBankingRates study shows. GOBankingRates compiled data on the median rental price for different sizes and types of living spaces across the 150 largest cities in America, then scored each and combined the averages to reveal the cheapest places to rent in the country. Before uprooting to a new city, it’s financially savvy to find out if you can afford the rent.
50. Aurora, Illinois
- Population: 200,660
- Median rent (overall): $1,193
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $910
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,182
49. Corpus Christi, Texas
- Population: 324,692
- Median rent (overall): $1,108
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $913
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,123
48. Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Population: 177,365
- Median rent (overall): $1,074
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $882
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,054
47. Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Population: 197,081
- Median rent (overall): $1,106
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $872
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,116
46. St. Paul, Minnesota
- Population: 302,760
- Median rent (overall): $1,037
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $899
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,133
45. Tucson, Arizona
- Population: 539,216
- Median rent (overall): $1,100
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $834
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,107
Compare: The Average Rent in Every State
44. Kansas City, Missouri
- Population: 481,417
- Median rent (overall): $1,068
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $919
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,078
43. Houston, Texas
- Population: 2,295,982
- Median rent (overall): $1,031
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $906
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,078
42. San Antonio, Texas
- Population: 1,486,521
- Median rent (overall): $1,044
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $898
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,090
41. New Orleans, Louisiana
- Population: 389,648
- Median rent (overall): $1,049
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $917
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,071
40. Greensboro, North Carolina
- Population: 288,719
- Median rent (overall): $1,014
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $864
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,002
39. Huntsville, Alabama
- Population: 193,663
- Median rent (overall): $1,059
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $842
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,005
38. Rochester, New York
- Population: 207,778
- Median rent (overall): $1,013
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $842
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,076
37. Bakersfield, California
- Population: 375,699
- Median rent (overall): $1,071
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $756
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $985
36. Spokane, Washington
- Population: 214,804
- Median rent (overall): $1,022
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $765
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,051
From Alabama to Wyoming: The Cost of Living Across America
35. Birmingham, Alabama
- Population: 212,021
- Median rent (overall): $962
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $808
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $952
34. Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Population: 559,202
- Median rent (overall): $1,019
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $813
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,001
33. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Population: 857,637
- Median rent (overall): $996
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $831
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,014
32. St. Louis, Missouri
- Population: 311,273
- Median rent (overall): $941
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $827
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,066
31. Omaha, Nebraska
- Population: 465,112
- Median rent (overall): $977
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $810
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,035
30. Columbus, Ohio
- Population: 867,628
- Median rent (overall): $1,007
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $810
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,020
29. Memphis, Tennessee
- Population: 653,248
- Median rent (overall): $1,004
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $829
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $967
28. Columbus, Georgia
- Population: 196,670
- Median rent (overall): $995
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $801
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $924
Income Based: Best Places in Every State To Live On a Fixed Income
27. Fayetteville, North Carolina
- Population: 209,867
- Median rent (overall): $1,027
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $777
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $914
26. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Population: 225,362
- Median rent (overall): $973
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $813
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $950
Bad Credit: 30 Things You Do That Can Mess Up Your Credit Score
25. Louisville, Kentucky
- Population: 617,032
- Median rent (overall): $966
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $783
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $985
24. Knoxville, Tennessee
- Population: 185,429
- Median rent (overall): $987
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $775
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $971
23. Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
- Population: 318,734
- Median rent (overall): $982
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $781
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $955
22. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Population: 303,587
- Median rent (overall): $926
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $761
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $962
21. Augusta, Georgia
- Population: 196,807
- Median rent (overall): $997
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $792
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $932
Options: Best Places To Live On a $50,000 Salary in Every State
20. Montgomery, Alabama
- Population: 200,156
- Median rent (overall): $992
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $763
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $941
19. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Population: 637,284
- Median rent (overall): $933
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $735
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $916
18. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Population: 174,151
- Median rent (overall): $886
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $740
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $901
17. Lincoln, Nebraska
- Population: 280,849
- Median rent (overall): $913
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $743
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $932
16. Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Population: 402,223
- Median rent (overall): $918
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $722
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $930
15. El Paso, Texas
- Population: 680,354
- Median rent (overall): $942
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $740
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $904
14. Mobile, Alabama
- Population: 191,485
- Median rent (overall): $929
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $695
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $888
13. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Population: 596,886
- Median rent (overall): $914
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $747
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $918
12. Lubbock, Texas
- Population: 250,415
- Median rent (overall): $890
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $694
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $856
Affordable Living: 35 Cities Where You Can Afford To Live On Less Than $50,000
11. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Population: 242,125
- Median rent (overall): $883
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $702
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $856
10. Des Moines, Iowa
- Population: 215,932
- Median rent (overall): $856
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $720
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $893
9. Detroit, Michigan
- Population: 677,155
- Median rent (overall): $916
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $671
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $895
8. Cincinnati, Ohio
- Population: 300,357
- Median rent (overall): $806
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $691
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $878
Find Out: Biden Wants to Shut Down Credit Bureaus – What Would That Mean for You?
7. Little Rock, Arkansas
- Population: 198,135
- Median rent (overall): $822
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $702
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $834
6. Shreveport, Louisiana
- Population: 193,785
- Median rent (overall): $819
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $694
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $827
5. Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Population: 264,052
- Median rent (overall): $805
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $647
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $815
4. Amarillo, Texas
- Population: 198,773
- Median rent (overall): $802
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $625
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $807
3. Akron, Ohio
- Population: 198,314
- Median rent (overall): $792
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $603
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $800
2. Toledo, Ohio
- Population: 278,193
- Median rent (overall): $786
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $596
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $789
1. Cleveland, Ohio
- Population: 387,398
- Median rent (overall): $773
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $611
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $779
More From GOBankingRates
- Here’s the Average IRS Tax Refund Amount by State
- 30 Biggest Do’s and Don’ts When Buying a Car
- 17 Hidden Auto Costs Your Dealer Will Never Tell You About
- 27 Ugly Truths About Retirement
Joel Anderson and Gabrielle Olya contributed to the reporting for this article.
To find the 50 best cities for renters, GOBankingRates looked at the 150 largest cities in the U.S. according to the Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey and used Apartment List’s October, 2020 rental data to find each city’s (1) overall estimated typical rent price, (2) estimated rent for a studio, (3) estimated rent for a 1-bedroom, (4) estimated rent for a 2-bedroom, and (5) estimated rent for a 3-bedroom. GOBankingRates then scored all cities with available data against each other on factors (1-5) and ranked them based on their combined score. No. 1 is the overall best city for renters in terms of affordability. All data was collected on and up to date as of Nov. 4, 2020.
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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Buying a home is more affordable now than it’s been in years. Credit that to record-low mortgage rates and a drop in home prices between the first and second quarters of 2020, following a steady increase over the past eight years, according to Forbes. Still, many Americans aren’t jumping to buy a home. After all, the coronavirus pandemic put millions of people out of work, and others fear a future layoff. That’s why so many Americans remain renters and likely expect to rent for the foreseeable future.
Read: The Salary You Need To Afford Rent in Every State
And while no one likes to pay rent, that burden differs depending on where you live, a GOBankingRates study shows. GOBankingRates compiled data on the median rental price for different sizes and types of living spaces across the 150 largest cities in America, then scored each and combined the averages to reveal the cheapest places to rent in the country. Before uprooting to a new city, it’s financially savvy to find out if you can afford the rent.
50. Aurora, Illinois
- Population: 200,660
- Median rent (overall): $1,193
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $910
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,182
49. Corpus Christi, Texas
- Population: 324,692
- Median rent (overall): $1,108
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $913
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,123
48. Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Population: 177,365
- Median rent (overall): $1,074
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $882
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,054
47. Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Population: 197,081
- Median rent (overall): $1,106
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $872
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,116
46. St. Paul, Minnesota
- Population: 302,760
- Median rent (overall): $1,037
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $899
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,133
45. Tucson, Arizona
- Population: 539,216
- Median rent (overall): $1,100
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $834
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,107
Compare: The Average Rent in Every State
44. Kansas City, Missouri
- Population: 481,417
- Median rent (overall): $1,068
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $919
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,078
43. Houston, Texas
- Population: 2,295,982
- Median rent (overall): $1,031
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $906
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,078
42. San Antonio, Texas
- Population: 1,486,521
- Median rent (overall): $1,044
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $898
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,090
41. New Orleans, Louisiana
- Population: 389,648
- Median rent (overall): $1,049
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $917
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,071
40. Greensboro, North Carolina
- Population: 288,719
- Median rent (overall): $1,014
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $864
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,002
39. Huntsville, Alabama
- Population: 193,663
- Median rent (overall): $1,059
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $842
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,005
38. Rochester, New York
- Population: 207,778
- Median rent (overall): $1,013
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $842
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,076
37. Bakersfield, California
- Population: 375,699
- Median rent (overall): $1,071
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $756
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $985
36. Spokane, Washington
- Population: 214,804
- Median rent (overall): $1,022
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $765
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,051
From Alabama to Wyoming: The Cost of Living Across America
35. Birmingham, Alabama
- Population: 212,021
- Median rent (overall): $962
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $808
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $952
34. Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Population: 559,202
- Median rent (overall): $1,019
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $813
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,001
33. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Population: 857,637
- Median rent (overall): $996
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $831
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,014
32. St. Louis, Missouri
- Population: 311,273
- Median rent (overall): $941
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $827
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,066
31. Omaha, Nebraska
- Population: 465,112
- Median rent (overall): $977
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $810
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,035
30. Columbus, Ohio
- Population: 867,628
- Median rent (overall): $1,007
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $810
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,020
29. Memphis, Tennessee
- Population: 653,248
- Median rent (overall): $1,004
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $829
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $967
28. Columbus, Georgia
- Population: 196,670
- Median rent (overall): $995
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $801
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $924
Income Based: Best Places in Every State To Live On a Fixed Income
27. Fayetteville, North Carolina
- Population: 209,867
- Median rent (overall): $1,027
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $777
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $914
26. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Population: 225,362
- Median rent (overall): $973
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $813
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $950
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25. Louisville, Kentucky
- Population: 617,032
- Median rent (overall): $966
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $783
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $985
24. Knoxville, Tennessee
- Population: 185,429
- Median rent (overall): $987
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $775
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $971
23. Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
- Population: 318,734
- Median rent (overall): $982
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $781
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $955
22. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Population: 303,587
- Median rent (overall): $926
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $761
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $962
21. Augusta, Georgia
- Population: 196,807
- Median rent (overall): $997
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $792
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $932
Options: Best Places To Live On a $50,000 Salary in Every State
20. Montgomery, Alabama
- Population: 200,156
- Median rent (overall): $992
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $763
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $941
19. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Population: 637,284
- Median rent (overall): $933
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $735
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $916
18. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Population: 174,151
- Median rent (overall): $886
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $740
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $901
17. Lincoln, Nebraska
- Population: 280,849
- Median rent (overall): $913
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $743
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $932
16. Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Population: 402,223
- Median rent (overall): $918
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $722
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $930
15. El Paso, Texas
- Population: 680,354
- Median rent (overall): $942
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $740
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $904
14. Mobile, Alabama
- Population: 191,485
- Median rent (overall): $929
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $695
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $888
13. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Population: 596,886
- Median rent (overall): $914
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $747
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $918
12. Lubbock, Texas
- Population: 250,415
- Median rent (overall): $890
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $694
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $856
Affordable Living: 35 Cities Where You Can Afford To Live On Less Than $50,000
11. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Population: 242,125
- Median rent (overall): $883
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $702
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $856
10. Des Moines, Iowa
- Population: 215,932
- Median rent (overall): $856
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $720
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $893
9. Detroit, Michigan
- Population: 677,155
- Median rent (overall): $916
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $671
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $895
8. Cincinnati, Ohio
- Population: 300,357
- Median rent (overall): $806
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $691
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $878
Find Out: Biden Wants to Shut Down Credit Bureaus – What Would That Mean for You?
7. Little Rock, Arkansas
- Population: 198,135
- Median rent (overall): $822
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $702
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $834
6. Shreveport, Louisiana
- Population: 193,785
- Median rent (overall): $819
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $694
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $827
5. Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Population: 264,052
- Median rent (overall): $805
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $647
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $815
4. Amarillo, Texas
- Population: 198,773
- Median rent (overall): $802
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $625
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $807
3. Akron, Ohio
- Population: 198,314
- Median rent (overall): $792
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $603
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $800
2. Toledo, Ohio
- Population: 278,193
- Median rent (overall): $786
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $596
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $789
1. Cleveland, Ohio
- Population: 387,398
- Median rent (overall): $773
- Median rent (1-bedroom): $611
- Median rent (2-bedroom): $779
More From GOBankingRates
- Here’s the Average IRS Tax Refund Amount by State
- 30 Biggest Do’s and Don’ts When Buying a Car
- 17 Hidden Auto Costs Your Dealer Will Never Tell You About
- 27 Ugly Truths About Retirement
Joel Anderson and Gabrielle Olya contributed to the reporting for this article.
To find the 50 best cities for renters, GOBankingRates looked at the 150 largest cities in the U.S. according to the Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey and used Apartment List’s October, 2020 rental data to find each city’s (1) overall estimated typical rent price, (2) estimated rent for a studio, (3) estimated rent for a 1-bedroom, (4) estimated rent for a 2-bedroom, and (5) estimated rent for a 3-bedroom. GOBankingRates then scored all cities with available data against each other on factors (1-5) and ranked them based on their combined score. No. 1 is the overall best city for renters in terms of affordability. All data was collected on and up to date as of Nov. 4, 2020.
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.