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Mapped: Median Rent Price by U.S. State

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Mapped: Median Rent Price by U.S. State

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Key Takeaways

  • Coastal states have the highest median rents with California leading at $2,104, followed by Hawaii ($1,942) and Massachusetts ($1,848). The District of Columbia ranks third among the states at $1,931.
  • While coastal states tend to have the highest rents, Colorado ($1,822) and Nevada ($1,709) are among the few landlocked states far above the national median of $1,487.

Across the United States, median rent varies by more than $1,000 between the highest and lowest states.

This map compares the median gross rent (including utilities) in each state in 2024 using data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2024 1-Year Estimates, providing a snapshot of rental affordability nationwide.

U.S. States with the Highest Rent

The Census Bureau data shows that California has the highest median rent at $2,104, edging out Hawaii ($1,942) and Massachusetts ($1,848).

The District of Columbia—while not a state—ranks third overall at $1,931, reflecting its dense urban housing market and limited supply.

The data table below shows the median rent by state in 2024, along with the District of Columbia and the U.S. national median:

Rank State Median gross rent in 2024 (includes utilities)
1 California $2,104
2 Hawaii $1,942
3 District of Columbia $1,931
4 Massachusetts $1,848
5 Washington $1,824
6 Colorado $1,822
7 Florida $1,812
8 New Jersey $1,800
9 Maryland $1,721
10 Nevada $1,709
11 Arizona $1,672
12 Virginia $1,646
13 New York $1,634
14 Oregon $1,597
15 Utah $1,593
16 New Hampshire $1,558
17 Connecticut $1,550
18 Delaware $1,530
19 Georgia $1,506
20 Texas $1,475
21 Alaska $1,444
22 Rhode Island $1,418
23 Idaho $1,384
24 North Carolina $1,338
25 Illinois $1,322
26 Vermont $1,319
27 Minnesota $1,291
28 Tennessee $1,284
29 South Carolina $1,272
30 Pennsylvania $1,252
31 Maine $1,210
32 Montana $1,177
33 Michigan $1,168
34 Wisconsin $1,142
35 New Mexico $1,117
36 Indiana $1,104
37 Nebraska $1,102
38 Ohio $1,090
39 Kansas $1,079
40 Alabama $1,077
41 Missouri $1,067
42 Louisiana $1,064
43 Oklahoma $1,044
44 South Dakota $999
45 Kentucky $998
46 Wyoming $998
47 Mississippi $990
48 Arkansas $982
49 Iowa $981
50 North Dakota $980
51 West Virginia $883
-- U.S. Median Rent $1,487

Other high-rent states include Washington ($1,824) and Colorado ($1,822), underscoring how tech hubs and lifestyle destinations command premium rents.

Rents remain particularly elevated across the West Coast and the Northeast Corridor as states like New Jersey ($1,794), New York ($1,771), and Oregon ($1,765) continue to face upward price pressure due to limited housing inventory and strong demand near metropolitan centers.

States With the Lowest Median Rent

The lowest median rents are found in West Virginia ($883), followed by North Dakota ($980) and Iowa ($981).

Even when including utilities, median rent in these states is $500 below the national median of $1,487, underscoring their housing cost advantage.

Many Midwestern states, including Wyoming ($998) and South Dakota ($999), also maintain some of the lowest rents in the nation, less than half of California’s.

However, lower rents often correspond with slower wage growth and fewer high-paying job opportunities, balancing the affordability equation.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To learn more about the state of U.S. housing affordability, check out this graphic which shows the average mortgage rate by state.

Source
United States