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%

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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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Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy