2026 Data Report

Rent Affordability Index by City

Discover which US cities offer the best (and worst) rent-to-income ratios

100+ Cities Updated: 2026

18.6%

Most Affordable
(Wichita, KS)

47.2%

Least Affordable
(Miami, FL)

30%

Recommended
Maximum

32.1%

US National
Average

10 Most Affordable Cities for Renters (2026)

Rank	City	Median Rent	Median Income	Rent-to-Income	Rating
1	Wichita, KS	$875	$56,400	18.6%	Excellent
2	Tulsa, OK	$925	$58,100	19.1%	Excellent
3	Oklahoma City, OK	$975	$60,000	19.5%	Excellent
4	Omaha, NE	$1,050	$59,400	21.2%	Excellent
5	Indianapolis, IN	$1,075	$58,300	22.1%	Excellent
6	Columbus, OH	$1,125	$59,800	22.6%	Excellent
7	St. Louis, MO	$1,050	$55,100	22.9%	Excellent
8	Kansas City, MO	$1,100	$57,200	23.1%	Excellent
9	Memphis, TN	$1,025	$52,800	23.3%	Excellent
10	Louisville, KY	$1,100	$55,900	23.6%	Excellent

10 Least Affordable Cities for Renters (2026)

Rank	City	Median Rent	Median Income	Rent-to-Income	Rating
1	Miami, FL	$2,850	$72,400	47.2%	Severe Burden
2	Los Angeles, CA	$2,975	$79,600	44.8%	Severe Burden
3	New York, NY	$3,500	$101,600	41.3%	Severe Burden
4	San Diego, CA	$2,650	$80,400	39.5%	Severe Burden
5	San Francisco, CA	$3,200	$100,700	38.1%	High Burden
6	Boston, MA	$3,100	$98,200	37.9%	High Burden
7	Orlando, FL	$1,875	$59,800	37.6%	High Burden
8	Tampa, FL	$1,850	$60,500	36.7%	High Burden
9	Denver, CO	$2,100	$69,300	36.4%	High Burden
10	Seattle, WA	$2,450	$84,600	34.7%	Moderate Burden

Understanding Rent Affordability

Under 25%

Excellent

Comfortable margin for savings, emergencies, and quality of life. Financial experts recommend this level for long-term stability.

25-35%

Moderate

The standard guideline. Most financial institutions consider this affordable, though less room for unexpected expenses.

Over 35%

Cost-Burdened

HUD defines households paying over 30% as "cost-burdened." Over 50% is considered "severely cost-burdened."

Frequently Asked Questions

The commonly recommended rent-to-income ratio is 30% or less of gross monthly income. This means if you earn $5,000/month before taxes, you should spend no more than $1,500 on rent. Some financial experts recommend an even lower threshold of 25% for better financial security.

The most affordable cities for renters in 2026 include: Wichita, KS (18.6% rent-to-income), Tulsa, OK (19.1%), Oklahoma City, OK (19.5%), Omaha, NE (21.2%), and Indianapolis, IN (22.1%). These cities combine lower median rents with relatively higher median incomes.

Cities with the highest rent burden (rent-to-income ratio) in 2026 are: Miami, FL (47.2%), Los Angeles, CA (44.8%), New York, NY (41.3%), San Diego, CA (39.5%), and San Francisco, CA (38.1%). In these cities, median renters spend nearly half their income on housing.

Rent Affordability Calculator

Calculate your personal affordability

Security Deposit Data

See deposit limits by state

Methodology & data sources

This page summarizes publicly available rental market and landlord-tenant reference data for planning purposes.

Sources: State housing agency publications and LeaseCraft state legal requirement summaries.
Last reviewed: January 2026
Limitations: Figures are estimates and may not reflect your city, building type, or current lease terms. Always verify deposit caps and return deadlines with your state housing authority.

Disclaimer

LeaseCraft provides document automation and general information — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Laws and local rules change; verify requirements with your lease, state housing agency, or a licensed professional before acting on any estimate or summary on this page.