These are the U.S. states with the highest—and lowest—average monthly rent (2024)

This week, bill pay service doxo released its annual Household Bill Pay report, which breaks down how much the average U.S. household spends on essentials, including auto loans, utilities, health insurance, mortgages, and rent.

The report found that 32% of American households pay rent and that their average monthly cost is $1,300.

According to doxo's report, the five states with the highest rent costs also have the highest mortgage costs. This shows that housing continues to be the highest U.S. household expense for many Americans.

For its ranking, doxo used data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The U.S. state with the highest average monthly rent: Hawaii

Hawaii tops the list of U.S. states with the highest average monthly rent. Residents of the Aloha State pay an average of $1,983 a month in rent, according to the doxo report.

Hawaii ranked as the state with the highest average rent, according to doxo.

Photography By Jesse Warren | Moment | Getty Images

In a separate 2023 doxo report, Hawaii was also determined to be the most expensive U.S. state based on the average cost of household bills. The report found that Hawaii residents spend $3,070 each month, 50% above the national average of $2,046.

In CNBC's 2022 America's Top States for Business study, Hawaii also ranked as the most expensive state to live in based on an index of prices for a range of goods and services.

Located on the island of O'ahu, Kailua is the most expensive city in the state.

10 U.S. states with the highest average monthly rent

  1. Hawaii
  2. California
  3. Massachusetts
  4. New York
  5. New Jersey
  6. Washington
  7. Maryland
  8. Colorado
  9. Virginia
  10. Florida

California has the second-highest average monthly rent in America. Residents of the West Coast state pay an average of $1,927 in monthly rent, according to the doxo report.

California ranked as the state with the second-highest average rent, according to doxo.

Alexander Spatari | Moment | Getty Images

A 2023 doxo report found that California's average cost of bills is $2,838 a month, 38.7% above the national average and 40% of the average household income.

According to 2021 data from theBureau of Economic Analysis,California's annual average cost of living is $53,082.

In addition to rent and other expenses, California residents can pay state income taxes as high as 13.3%, the highest in the country, according to SoFi.

The U.S. state with the lowest average monthly rent: West Virginia

West Virginia has the lowest rent costs with a monthly average of $846, according to the doxo report. It is also the most affordable state for mortgage payments, with an average of $961.

West Virginia ranked as the state with the lowest average rent, according to doxo.

Richard T. Nowitz | The Image Bank | Getty Images

The average cost of bills in West Virginia, including rent, is 25.2% below the national average and the overall cost of living in West Virginia comes in at 9% lower, according to RentCafe.

The cost of basic necessities like groceries is around 6% lower in West Virginia than in the rest of the country.

Located in theAppalachian region,West Virginia has earned the nickname of the Mountain State because of its rolling terrain. The state offers various outdoor activities, including mountain biking, hiking, whitewater rafting and skiing.

The priciest city in West Virginia is Clarksburg, where the cost of living is 5% higher than the state average but 4% lower than the rest of the U.S.

10 U.S. states with the lowest average monthly rent

  1. West Virginia
  2. Arkansas
  3. South Dakota
  4. Mississippi
  5. North Dakota
  6. Kentucky
  7. Iowa
  8. Alabama
  9. Oklahoma
  10. Wyoming

Arkansas took the No. 2 spot on the list of states with the lowest average rent — households pay an average of $872 a month. The state also has the second-lowest average monthly mortgage payment in the U.S.

The cost of living in Arkansas is 8% lower than the national average and housing costs are 22% lower, according to RentCafe.

Arkansas ranked as the No. 2 state with the lowest average rent, according to doxo.

Walter Bibikow | Digitalvision | Getty Images

The most expensive city in Arkansas is Paragould, with a cost of living 14% higher than the state average. The cheapest major city in Arkansas is Conway, with a cost of living 10% lower than the state average and 17% lower than the national average, RentCafe states.

Arkansas is also considered a tax-friendly state, according to SmartAsset. The state does not tax Social Security retirement benefits, and property taxes are among the lowest in the U.S.

On the other hand, sales taxes in Arkansas are quite high compared to other states.

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These are the U.S. states with the highest—and lowest—average monthly rent (2024)

FAQs

These are the U.S. states with the highest—and lowest—average monthly rent? ›

The median rent cost is highest in Hawaii, where renters spend $1,868 per month. On the other hand, renters in West Virginia pay the least—with median rent prices coming in at $831 per month.

What state has the highest monthly rent? ›

Hawaii ranked as the state with the highest average rent, according to doxo. In a separate 2023 doxo report, Hawaii was also determined to be the most expensive U.S. state based on the average cost of household bills.

Which state has the lowest rent in the USA? ›

Cheapest State for Rent in the US

The least expensive state for rent is West Virginia with an average rent price of $800.

What is the average monthly rent in the USA? ›

The average rent in the United States is $1,516/month. This is 0.6% higher than this time last year. The states with the largest rent increases when compared to last year include Vermont, North Dakota, and Mississippi. In Vermont, rents are 5.2% higher.

Where is the highest rent in us? ›

New York City has the highest rent at $3,393.

Rent is nearly as high in Boston, MA ($3,359); Irvine, CA ($3,335); San Francisco, CA ($3,276) and San Jose, CA ($3,107).

Where is the cheapest rent in the US right now? ›

Cheap rent can be found in Midwest, South

Overall, the city with the cheapest average rent in the U.S. was listed as Wichita, Kansas, with a population of nearly 400,000. The average rent for all apartment sizes in Wichita is just $598 a month, the report said — adding that no other city averages under $700.

Where can I live for $500 a month in the US? ›

Without further ado – and in no particular order – here's what $500 per month can get you in ten affordable U.S. cities:
  • Greenville, OH. Listing: Wayne Crossing. ...
  • Wichita, KS. Listing: Eagle Creek. ...
  • Lawton, OK. Listing: Sheridan Square Apartments. ...
  • Amarillo, TX. ...
  • Indianapolis, IN. ...
  • Searcy, AR. ...
  • Shreveport, LA. ...
  • Jackson, MS.
Oct 9, 2020

Which U.S. state has affordable housing? ›

Oklahoma consistently ranks as one of the states with the most affordable housing costs. The state also has a number of financial assistance programs through staples like SNAP and WIC, as well as local nonprofit Bethel Foundation for single mothers and young children.

What state has the lowest overall cost of living? ›

  • Arkansas. #1 in Cost of Living. #47 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Mississippi. #2 in Cost of Living. #48 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Alabama. #3 in Cost of Living. ...
  • South Dakota. #4 in Cost of Living. ...
  • Iowa. #5 in Cost of Living. ...
  • North Dakota. #6 in Cost of Living. ...
  • Oklahoma. #7 in Cost of Living. ...
  • West Virginia. #8 in Cost of Living.

What is the cheapest state to live in? ›

Mississippi: According to World Population Review, in 2023, Mississippi holds the title of the cheapest state to live in the United States. Its cost of living index is 85, and overall costs in the state are 17% lower than the national average.

How much does a 1 bedroom cost per month in USA? ›

Rent prices nationwide spiked in August 2022, compared to the same time last year, with the average monthly price of a 1-bedroom at $1,769. Rent.com researcher Jon Leckie shares more on the current rental market. How much does it cost to rent a one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment in the United States?

What city has the highest average rent in the US? ›

In 2023, New York, NY, was the most expensive rental market for one-bedroom apartments in the United States. The median monthly rental rate of an apartment in New York was 4,300 U.S. dollars, while in Jersey City, NJ, which ranked second highest, renters paid on average 3,090 U.S. dollars.

Why is rent so high in California? ›

One of the primary drivers of increasing rents is the rise in interest rates. As interest rates climb, the cost of obtaining a mortgage for property owners escalates correspondingly. This increase is not trivial.

Where do most renters live? ›

Renters make up a much larger share of households in California (44%) than in the rest of the US (35%)—or in any state other than New York (46%), according to the US Census. This pattern predates the current surge in housing prices and has proved remarkably consistent over the last six decades.

What US state has the most apartments? ›

Some of the states with the largest share of apartment dwellers are New York, North Dakota, California, Maryland, Nevada, and Texas. In New York, nearly one quarter of the population lives in an apartment.

What state has the cheapest rent in 2024? ›

10 Cheapest Rent US States 2024
RankStateAverage Rent2
#1Missouri (MI)$1,000
#2Oklahoma (OK)$1,020
#3Ohio (OH)$1,023
#4Iowa (IA)$1,030
6 more rows

What is the most expensive monthly rent? ›

This $1.5 million-a-month rental is the most expensive in America—take a look inside. A $180 million mega-mansion in Los Angeles is now available to rent — for a mind-blowing $1.5 million a month.

What state has the highest cost of living? ›

According to several studies on cost of living, Hawaii is the most expensive U.S. state to live in. Prices are typically double in Hawaii compared to those on the mainland, and the continued rise in inflation is making costs ranging from housing to health care much more expensive.

What state has the highest cost of living rate? ›

Hawaii is the state with the highest cost of living in the US, with a cost of living index of 184. This is due to its isolated location and the high demand for housing, food, and energy.

Where is rent most expensive? ›

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco still holds the crown as the most expensive rental market in the country.

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