Average Rent by State (2026)
Compare average monthly rent prices across all 50 US states. See which states are the most and least affordable for renters in 2026.
Top 5 Highest
Top 5 Lowest
Regional Averages
All 50 States — Ranked
Sorted from highest to lowest. The amber line shows the national average ($1,372).
Source: Census Bureau ACS, Zillow, Apartment List (2025–2026 estimates). Values are approximate and for educational purposes.
Get Glen’s Updates
Investing insights, new tools, and whatever I’m building this week. Free. No spam.
Unsubscribe anytime. I respect your inbox more than Congress respects property rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in the United States?
The national average rent in the US is approximately $1,372/month as of 2025–2026 estimates based on Census Bureau ACS and rental market data. However, this varies enormously by state — from under $830/month in Mississippi to over $2,150/month in California and Hawaii.
Which state has the cheapest rent?
West Virginia and Mississippi have the lowest average rents in the US, both under $850/month. Other affordable states include Arkansas, Oklahoma, and South Dakota, all averaging under $900/month.
Which state has the most expensive rent?
California has the highest average rent at approximately $2,150/month, followed by Hawaii (~$2,070/month), Massachusetts (~$1,850/month), and New York (~$1,800/month).
How much of my income should go to rent?
The widely-cited '30% rule' suggests spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. On a $55,000 salary, that's about $1,375/month — right at the national average. In high-cost states like California or New York, many renters exceed this guideline.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in 2026?
It depends on the state and city. Generally, buying is cheaper than renting in the Midwest and South (where home prices are lower relative to rents), while renting is often cheaper in expensive coastal cities where home prices are extremely high. Use a rent-vs-buy calculator with your specific numbers.
Explore Other State Comparisons
Recommended Resources
Tools & books I actually use and recommend
The Psychology of Money
Morgan Housel on why managing money is about behavior, not intelligence. Short, brilliant chapters you'll re-read.
View on AmazonThe Little Book of Common Sense Investing
John Bogle's manifesto on why low-cost index funds beat everything else. Straight from the founder of Vanguard.
View on AmazonInteractive Brokers
Low commissions, global market access, and professional-grade tools. This is where I hold my positions.
Open an AccountSome links above are affiliate links. I only recommend products I personally use. See my full disclosures.
Keep Exploring
Average Income by State
See how incomes compare across states.
Read moreDataAverage Cost of Living by State
Full cost-of-living comparison.
Read moreDataAverage Home Price by State
Compare home prices across states.
Read moreCalculatorSavings Rate Calculator
How much of your paycheck should you save?
Read more