What is the average rent in the US?

The national average rent is approximately $1,550 for a 1-bedroom and $1,850 for a 2-bedroom apartment. However, rents vary dramatically from under $800 in affordable cities to over $3,000 in expensive metros.

What city has the cheapest rent?

Among major US cities, Wichita KS, Tulsa OK, and Memphis TN have the lowest rents, with 1-bedroom apartments averaging $750-$900/month.

Average Rent by City (2026): Monthly Costs in 100+ US Cities

Find out the average rent in your city or where you’re thinking of moving. Prices updated for 2026.

Average Rent by Major US City

City	1-Bedroom	2-Bedroom	vs. National Average
San Francisco, CA	$3,200	$4,200	+106%
New York City, NY	$3,400	$4,000	+119%
Boston, MA	$2,800	$3,500	+81%
San Jose, CA	$2,900	$3,600	+87%
Los Angeles, CA	$2,400	$3,200	+55%
San Diego, CA	$2,300	$3,100	+48%
Seattle, WA	$2,200	$2,900	+42%
Washington, DC	$2,200	$3,000	+42%
Miami, FL	$2,400	$3,200	+55%
Denver, CO	$1,800	$2,400	+16%
Austin, TX	$1,700	$2,200	+10%
Portland, OR	$1,700	$2,200	+10%
Chicago, IL	$1,750	$2,100	+13%
Nashville, TN	$1,600	$2,000	+3%
National Average	$1,550	$1,850	—
Atlanta, GA	$1,600	$2,000	+3%
Dallas, TX	$1,500	$1,900	-3%
Phoenix, AZ	$1,400	$1,800	-10%
Houston, TX	$1,400	$1,750	-10%
Charlotte, NC	$1,450	$1,700	-6%
Tampa, FL	$1,500	$1,900	-3%
Las Vegas, NV	$1,350	$1,700	-13%
San Antonio, TX	$1,200	$1,500	-23%
Indianapolis, IN	$1,200	$1,400	-23%
Columbus, OH	$1,250	$1,500	-19%
Jacksonville, FL	$1,350	$1,650	-13%
Kansas City, MO	$1,150	$1,400	-26%
Oklahoma City, OK	$950	$1,150	-39%
Memphis, TN	$1,000	$1,200	-35%
Tulsa, OK	$850	$1,050	-45%
Wichita, KS	$750	$950	-52%

Most Expensive Cities for Rent

Rank	City	1BR Rent	After-Tax Income Needed*
1	New York City, NY	$3,400	$136,000
2	San Francisco, CA	$3,200	$128,000
3	San Jose, CA	$2,900	$116,000
4	Boston, MA	$2,800	$112,000
5	Miami, FL	$2,400	$96,000
6	Los Angeles, CA	$2,400	$96,000
7	San Diego, CA	$2,300	$92,000
8	Seattle, WA	$2,200	$88,000
9	Washington, DC	$2,200	$88,000
10	Honolulu, HI	$2,100	$84,000

*Based on 30% of gross income rule

Most Affordable Cities for Rent

Rank	City	1BR Rent	After-Tax Income Needed*
1	Wichita, KS	$750	$30,000
2	Tulsa, OK	$850	$34,000
3	Oklahoma City, OK	$950	$38,000
4	Memphis, TN	$1,000	$40,000
5	Louisville, KY	$1,050	$42,000
6	El Paso, TX	$1,000	$40,000
7	Kansas City, MO	$1,150	$46,000
8	Birmingham, AL	$1,100	$44,000
9	Omaha, NE	$1,100	$44,000
10	Milwaukee, WI	$1,150	$46,000

*Based on 30% of gross income rule

Rent by Region

Northeast

City	1BR	2BR
New York City	$3,400	$4,000
Boston	$2,800	$3,500
Philadelphia	$1,600	$1,900
Pittsburgh	$1,350	$1,600
Baltimore	$1,500	$1,800
Providence	$1,700	$2,100

West Coast

City	1BR	2BR
San Francisco	$3,200	$4,200
Los Angeles	$2,400	$3,200
Seattle	$2,200	$2,900
San Diego	$2,300	$3,100
Portland	$1,700	$2,200
Sacramento	$1,600	$2,000

South

City	1BR	2BR
Miami	$2,400	$3,200
Atlanta	$1,600	$2,000
Dallas	$1,500	$1,900
Houston	$1,400	$1,750
Austin	$1,700	$2,200
Nashville	$1,600	$2,000
Charlotte	$1,450	$1,700
Tampa	$1,500	$1,900
San Antonio	$1,200	$1,500

Midwest

City	1BR	2BR
Chicago	$1,750	$2,100
Minneapolis	$1,450	$1,800
Detroit	$1,100	$1,350
Indianapolis	$1,200	$1,400
Columbus	$1,250	$1,500
Kansas City	$1,150	$1,400
Milwaukee	$1,150	$1,400
Omaha	$1,100	$1,350

Mountain West

City	1BR	2BR
Denver	$1,800	$2,400
Salt Lake City	$1,400	$1,750
Phoenix	$1,400	$1,800
Las Vegas	$1,350	$1,700
Tucson	$1,100	$1,350
Albuquerque	$1,050	$1,300

How Much Should You Spend on Rent?

Rule	Formula	Example ($60K salary)
30% Rule	30% of gross income	$1,500/month
50/30/20	50% needs (including rent)	$1,250-$1,500/month
Conservative	25% of gross income	$1,250/month

Salary Needed for Rent by City

City	1BR Rent	Salary Needed (30% rule)
San Francisco	$3,200	$128,000
New York City	$3,400	$136,000
Los Angeles	$2,400	$96,000
Seattle	$2,200	$88,000
Denver	$1,800	$72,000
Austin	$1,700	$68,000
National Avg	$1,550	$62,000
Dallas	$1,500	$60,000
Houston	$1,400	$56,000
Indianapolis	$1,200	$48,000
Memphis	$1,000	$40,000

Rent vs. Own: Breakeven Analysis

When does buying make more sense than renting?

City	Avg 1BR Rent	Equiv. Home Price	Monthly Mortgage*	Better to…
San Francisco	$3,200	$1,200,000	$7,500	Rent
New York	$3,400	$900,000	$5,650	Rent (usually)
Denver	$1,800	$525,000	$3,300	Buy (if staying 5+ yrs)
Dallas	$1,500	$340,000	$2,150	Buy (if staying 3+ yrs)
Indianapolis	$1,200	$235,000	$1,480	Buy (even short-term)

*20% down, 7% rate, including taxes/insurance

Rent Trends (Year-over-Year)

City	2025	2026	Change
Austin, TX	$1,800	$1,700	-5.6%
Phoenix, AZ	$1,500	$1,400	-6.7%
Miami, FL	$2,500	$2,400	-4.0%
San Francisco, CA	$3,100	$3,200	+3.2%
New York City, NY	$3,300	$3,400	+3.0%
Nashville, TN	$1,650	$1,600	-3.0%

Some markets softening as new supply comes online

Tips for Finding Affordable Rent

Strategy	Potential Savings
Live slightly outside city center	15-25% lower rent
Get a roommate	30-50% lower cost
Negotiate (especially in soft markets)	5-10% discount
Look in winter months	Lower demand = better deals
Consider garage apartments/ADUs	20-30% below market
Offer longer lease	3-5% discount typical

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