How Much Do You Need to Earn to Afford Rent?
The standard benchmark for housing affordability is the 30% rule: spend no more than 30% of your gross monthly income on rent. But what does that actually mean in real dollars across American cities?
We analyzed rent data for 61+ major US metros to calculate the exact salary you need to afford every apartment size, from studios to 4-bedrooms. Whether you are planning a move, negotiating a raise, or just curious how your city stacks up, this guide breaks it all down with real numbers.
Real Estate Economics Analyst
MBA, Real Estate Finance
Published: March 2026
Learn more about AmandaWhy Understanding Rent Affordability Matters
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly half of all American renters are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. In expensive metros like New York, San Francisco, and Miami, that figure climbs above 55%. When too much of your paycheck goes to rent, everything else suffers: retirement savings shrink, emergency funds disappear, and one unexpected expense can trigger a financial crisis.
The 30% rule was established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as the standard measure of housing affordability. While the threshold is not a one-size-fits-all answer, it provides a useful benchmark for comparing cities and evaluating your own budget. If a city requires more than 30% of the local median income to cover average rent, that signals a meaningful affordability problem.
This page brings together rent prices, income data, and cost-of-living adjustments for every major metro we track. Each city page dives deeper with full budget breakdowns, profession-specific analysis, neighborhood recommendations, and money-saving strategies tailored to that market.
Most Affordable Cities for Renters
These metros offer the best balance between rent prices and local incomes. Median-income households can comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment here.
Least Affordable Cities for Renters
These metros have the biggest gap between local incomes and rent prices. Most households spend well above 30% of income on housing.
All Cities: Income Needed for a 2-Bedroom Apartment
Sorted by affordability score. Higher scores mean rent is more manageable relative to local incomes.
| City | State | 2BR Rent | Income Needed | Median Income | Rent Burden | Rating | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | North Carolina | $944/mo | $37,760/yr | $78,226/yr | 11% | Very Affordable | 82 |
| Austin | Texas | $1,095/mo | $43,800/yr | $80,954/yr | 13.2% | Very Affordable | 78 |
| Des Moines | Iowa | $1,260/mo | $50,400/yr | $66,827/yr | 18.9% | Very Affordable | 69 |
| Omaha | Nebraska | $1,320/mo | $52,800/yr | $65,786/yr | 20.1% | Affordable | 67 |
| Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | $1,244/mo | $49,760/yr | $58,264/yr | 20.9% | Affordable | 65 |
| Minneapolis | Minnesota | $1,709/mo | $68,360/yr | $77,546/yr | 21.7% | Affordable | 64 |
| Salt Lake City | Utah | $1,747/mo | $69,880/yr | $77,798/yr | 22.5% | Affordable | 63 |
| Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | $1,299/mo | $51,960/yr | $58,842/yr | 22% | Affordable | 63 |
| Louisville | Kentucky | $1,272/mo | $50,880/yr | $55,984/yr | 22.4% | Affordable | 63 |
| Madison | Wisconsin | $1,620/mo | $64,800/yr | $72,076/yr | 22.5% | Affordable | 63 |
| Lexington | Kentucky | $1,320/mo | $52,800/yr | $57,614/yr | 22.9% | Affordable | 62 |
| El Paso | Texas | $1,140/mo | $45,600/yr | $49,946/yr | 22.8% | Affordable | 62 |
| Columbus | Ohio | $1,430/mo | $57,200/yr | $60,394/yr | 23.7% | Affordable | 61 |
| Virginia Beach | Virginia | $1,713/mo | $68,520/yr | $76,610/yr | 23.7% | Affordable | 61 |
| Boise | Idaho | $1,620/mo | $64,800/yr | $69,103/yr | 23.4% | Affordable | 61 |
| Washington | District of Columbia | $2,246/mo | $89,840/yr | $101,722/yr | 23.8% | Affordable | 60 |
| Kansas City | Missouri | $1,358/mo | $54,320/yr | $59,030/yr | 24.3% | Affordable | 60 |
| Colorado Springs | Colorado | $1,740/mo | $69,600/yr | $72,331/yr | 24.1% | Affordable | 60 |
| Seattle | Washington | $2,501/mo | $100,040/yr | $105,391/yr | 24.4% | Affordable | 59 |
| San Antonio | Texas | $1,426/mo | $57,040/yr | $55,751/yr | 25.3% | Moderate | 58 |
| Denver | Colorado | $2,089/mo | $83,560/yr | $82,205/yr | 25.6% | Moderate | 57 |
| Portland | Oregon | $1,922/mo | $76,880/yr | $78,388/yr | 25.7% | Moderate | 57 |
| St. Louis | Missouri | $1,218/mo | $48,720/yr | $45,782/yr | 26.1% | Moderate | 57 |
| Spokane | Washington | $1,440/mo | $57,600/yr | $56,054/yr | 25.7% | Moderate | 57 |
| San Jose | California | $3,483/mo | $139,320/yr | $131,884/yr | 27.1% | Moderate | 55 |
| Indianapolis | Indiana | $1,473/mo | $58,920/yr | $55,992/yr | 27.2% | Moderate | 55 |
| Charleston | South Carolina | $1,860/mo | $74,400/yr | $68,714/yr | 27.1% | Moderate | 55 |
| Charlotte | North Carolina | $1,686/mo | $67,440/yr | $67,182/yr | 27.5% | Moderate | 54 |
| Jacksonville | Florida | $1,658/mo | $66,320/yr | $59,785/yr | 27.7% | Moderate | 54 |
| Tucson | Arizona | $1,320/mo | $52,800/yr | $47,254/yr | 27.9% | Moderate | 54 |
| Houston | Texas | $1,573/mo | $62,920/yr | $56,019/yr | 28.3% | Moderate | 53 |
| Milwaukee | Wisconsin | $1,338/mo | $53,520/yr | $47,041/yr | 28.5% | Moderate | 53 |
| Chicago | Illinois | $1,781/mo | $71,240/yr | $65,781/yr | 28.8% | Moderate | 52 |
| Atlanta | Georgia | $1,820/mo | $72,800/yr | $69,698/yr | 28.6% | Moderate | 52 |
| Nashville | Tennessee | $1,730/mo | $69,200/yr | $65,602/yr | 28.9% | Moderate | 52 |
| Las Vegas | Nevada | $1,735/mo | $69,400/yr | $62,107/yr | 28.6% | Moderate | 52 |
| Hartford | Connecticut | $1,865/mo | $74,600/yr | $61,041/yr | 29% | Moderate | 52 |
| San Francisco | California | $3,604/mo | $144,160/yr | $121,826/yr | 29.3% | Moderate | 51 |
| Phoenix | Arizona | $1,839/mo | $73,560/yr | $65,046/yr | 29.2% | Moderate | 51 |
| Riverside | California | $2,201/mo | $88,040/yr | $72,261/yr | 29.5% | Moderate | 51 |
| New Orleans | Louisiana | $1,331/mo | $53,240/yr | $45,615/yr | 29.3% | Moderate | 51 |
| Knoxville | Tennessee | $1,440/mo | $57,600/yr | $48,847/yr | 29.5% | Moderate | 51 |
| Sacramento | California | $2,255/mo | $90,200/yr | $73,857/yr | 29.8% | Moderate | 50 |
| Greensboro | North Carolina | $1,330/mo | $53,200/yr | $48,546/yr | 30% | Moderate | 50 |
| Savannah | Georgia | $1,620/mo | $64,800/yr | $53,126/yr | 30.5% | Expensive | 49 |
| Dallas | Texas | $1,931/mo | $77,240/yr | $61,343/yr | 32.2% | Expensive | 46 |
| Richmond | Virginia | $1,655/mo | $66,200/yr | $55,823/yr | 32.4% | Expensive | 46 |
| San Diego | California | $3,001/mo | $120,040/yr | $89,457/yr | 33% | Expensive | 45 |
| Cleveland | Ohio | $1,233/mo | $49,320/yr | $33,961/yr | 33.2% | Expensive | 45 |
| Memphis | Tennessee | $1,274/mo | $50,960/yr | $41,228/yr | 33.6% | Expensive | 44 |
| Buffalo | New York | $1,343/mo | $53,720/yr | $40,596/yr | 33.7% | Expensive | 44 |
| Tampa | Florida | $1,977/mo | $79,080/yr | $59,227/yr | 34.4% | Expensive | 43 |
| Baltimore | Maryland | $1,857/mo | $74,280/yr | $52,164/yr | 34.8% | Expensive | 42 |
| Birmingham | Alabama | $1,266/mo | $50,640/yr | $39,928/yr | 34.7% | Expensive | 42 |
| Los Angeles | California | $2,601/mo | $104,040/yr | $69,778/yr | 35.9% | Expensive | 40 |
| Boston | Massachusetts | $2,941/mo | $117,640/yr | $81,744/yr | 36.3% | Expensive | 40 |
| Orlando | Florida | $1,972/mo | $78,880/yr | $57,643/yr | 36% | Expensive | 40 |
| Providence | Rhode Island | $1,729/mo | $69,160/yr | $47,090/yr | 35.7% | Expensive | 40 |
| Detroit | Michigan | $1,411/mo | $56,440/yr | $36,824/yr | 36.6% | Expensive | 39 |
| New York | New York | $2,910/mo | $116,400/yr | $70,784/yr | 45% | Very Expensive | 25 |
| Miami | Florida | $2,436/mo | $97,440/yr | $51,362/yr | 46.6% | Very Expensive | 22 |
Our Methodology
Our affordability calculations combine official HUD Fair Market Rent data with median household income figures from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Here is exactly how we arrive at the numbers on each city page:
Income Requirements
We divide the monthly rent by 0.30 and multiply by 12 to get the minimum annual salary under the 30% rule. For example, $1,500/month rent requires ($1,500 / 0.30) x 12 = $60,000/year.
Affordability Score (1-100)
We calculate the percentage of median household income consumed by rent (the “rent burden”). Lower rent burden maps to a higher score. A score of 100 means rent is a negligible fraction of income; a score near 1 means rent exceeds income.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
We apply city-specific cost-of-living multipliers to national average expenses for utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare. These multipliers reflect how each city's costs compare to the national baseline.
Affordability Rating
Cities are classified into five tiers based on rent burden: Very Affordable (under 20%), Affordable (20-25%), Moderate (25-30%), Expensive (30-40%), and Very Expensive (40%+).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 30% rule for rent?
The 30% rule is a guideline established by HUD that recommends spending no more than 30% of your gross monthly income on housing. If you earn $5,000/month before taxes, your rent should be $1,500 or less. Most landlords and property managers use this threshold (or a 3x monthly income requirement) when evaluating rental applications.
How much salary do I need to afford a 2-bedroom apartment in the US?
Across the 61 major metros we track, the average annual salary needed for a 2-bedroom apartment is $70,264. The range is enormous: affordable metros like Raleigh need only $37,760/year, while expensive cities like Miami require $97,440/year.
What does “rent-burdened” mean?
A household is “rent-burdened” when it spends more than 30% of gross income on rent. Those spending over 50% are “severely rent-burdened.” Nearly half of all US renters fall into these categories, leaving less money for essentials like food, healthcare, and retirement savings.
Should I always follow the 30% rule strictly?
Not necessarily. The 30% rule is a helpful benchmark, but your optimal rent-to-income ratio depends on your full financial picture. In cities with excellent public transit (like New York or Chicago), you may spend 35% on rent but save hundreds by not owning a car. In car-dependent cities, you need more breathing room in your housing budget to cover transportation costs. The key is ensuring your total essential expenses leave enough for savings and flexibility.
How do I calculate the income needed for a specific rent?
Multiply the monthly rent by 40 to get your minimum annual salary. For example, $1,800/month x 40 = $72,000/year. This is equivalent to dividing annual rent by 0.30. Most landlords require proof that your gross monthly income is at least 3x the rent, which aligns with this same calculation.
Where does this rent data come from?
Rent prices are sourced from HUD Fair Market Rents, which represent the 40th percentile of gross rents for standard-quality apartments in each metropolitan area. Median household income data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Cost-of-living multipliers are derived from BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey data and regional price parities.
Explore More
Data sources: HUD Fair Market Rents (2026), U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (median household income), BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey (cost-of-living multipliers). Fair Market Rent represents the 40th percentile of gross rents for typical, non-luxury apartments. Actual rents may vary by neighborhood, amenities, and market conditions. Last updated: March 2026.