Average Rent by State in 2026

· Updated

Rent is the largest monthly expense for the 44 million renter households in America. Prices vary dramatically by state — from under $800/month in some areas to over $2,300 in the most expensive markets.

Table of Contents

Average Rent by State (2026)

State 1-Bedroom 2-Bedroom % of Avg. Income
Alabama $850 $980 19.1%
Alaska $1,150 $1,380 19.7%
Arizona $1,250 $1,480 23.8%
Arkansas $780 $920 18.3%
California $2,200 $2,680 34.3%
Colorado $1,550 $1,880 25.8%
Connecticut $1,450 $1,720 23.6%
Delaware $1,200 $1,420 21.8%
Florida $1,550 $1,850 30.9%
Georgia $1,250 $1,450 24.5%
Hawaii $2,350 $2,850 43.4%
Idaho $1,100 $1,280 23.7%
Illinois $1,250 $1,480 22.3%
Indiana $900 $1,080 19.1%
Iowa $850 $1,020 18.1%
Kansas $880 $1,050 18.8%
Kentucky $850 $1,000 18.9%
Louisiana $900 $1,070 20.2%
Maine $1,200 $1,420 24.0%
Maryland $1,500 $1,780 24.5%
Massachusetts $2,150 $2,580 32.1%
Michigan $1,000 $1,180 19.8%
Minnesota $1,150 $1,380 20.7%
Mississippi $780 $920 19.7%
Missouri $950 $1,120 19.8%
Montana $1,050 $1,250 22.5%
Nebraska $900 $1,080 18.6%
Nevada $1,300 $1,550 26.5%
New Hampshire $1,400 $1,650 25.4%
New Jersey $1,650 $1,980 26.8%
New Mexico $950 $1,120 19.8%
New York $1,850 $2,200 28.2%
North Carolina $1,150 $1,350 23.1%
North Dakota $850 $1,020 17.3%
Ohio $900 $1,080 18.0%
Oklahoma $820 $980 18.4%
Oregon $1,450 $1,720 26.1%
Pennsylvania $1,100 $1,300 21.3%
Rhode Island $1,350 $1,600 24.3%
South Carolina $1,050 $1,230 23.2%
South Dakota $820 $980 18.5%
Tennessee $1,100 $1,300 23.6%
Texas $1,200 $1,450 23.5%
Utah $1,300 $1,550 25.5%
Vermont $1,250 $1,480 23.9%
Virginia $1,400 $1,650 24.0%
Washington $1,650 $1,980 25.3%
West Virginia $750 $880 17.2%
Wisconsin $1,000 $1,180 20.2%
Wyoming $850 $1,020 17.6%

Most Affordable States for Renters

Rank State 1-BR Rent % of Income
1 West Virginia $750 17.2%
2 North Dakota $850 17.3%
3 Wyoming $850 17.6%
4 Ohio $900 18.0%
5 Iowa $850 18.1%

Most Expensive States for Renters

Rank State 1-BR Rent % of Income
1 Hawaii $2,350 43.4%
2 California $2,200 34.3%
3 Massachusetts $2,150 32.1%
4 Florida $1,550 30.9%
5 New York $1,850 28.2%

Rent vs. Mortgage Payment by State

In some states, monthly mortgage payments are similar to or even lower than rent. In others, the gap is enormous:

State Avg. 1-BR Rent Avg. Mortgage Payment Difference
Mississippi $780 $920 +$140
Texas $1,200 $1,650 +$450
Ohio $900 $1,180 +$280
Florida $1,550 $2,350 +$800
California $2,200 $3,800 +$1,600
New York $1,850 $2,900 +$1,050

Note: Mortgage payments include principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI) for a median-priced home with 20% down.

The 30% Rule: How Much Should You Spend on Rent?

The traditional guideline suggests spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. Here’s what that means at different income levels:

Annual Income Monthly Gross 30% Max Rent Affordable in…
$35,000 $2,917 $875 Midwest, South
$50,000 $4,167 $1,250 Most states except coast
$75,000 $6,250 $1,875 All but CA, HI, MA
$100,000 $8,333 $2,500 Everywhere

In 2026, approximately 50% of American renters spend more than 30% of their income on rent, making them “cost-burdened” by HUD’s definition.

National average rent has increased significantly:

Year National Avg. 1-BR YoY Change
2020 $1,165 -1.2%
2021 $1,310 +12.4%
2022 $1,430 +9.2%
2023 $1,485 +3.8%
2024 $1,510 +1.7%
2025 $1,540 +2.0%
2026 $1,560 +1.3%

Rent growth has moderated from the post-pandemic surge but remains above pre-2020 levels.

Related: Median Home Price by State | Income Needed to Afford a Home | Average Income by State | Cost of Living by State