Median rents have hit record highs across the country, thanks to inflation and pandemic-related shortages of housing and building supplies. In many parts of the country, people who choose to rent may find it difficult to meet conventional wisdom’s rule that monthly rent should not exceed 30% of one’s monthly income. While rent prices are prohibitively high across a large part of the country, in every state there is at least one ZIP code where rents fall well below the national average.
To find the ZIP code with the cheapest rent in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of median gross rent from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey. It is important to note that the figures reflected here are for 2020, the most recent data available through the census. While prices today are much higher across much of the country, the least expensive rental market in each state in 2020 is likely still one of the least expensive markets in 2022. The national 2020 median rent was $1,096. In every state, there is at least one ZIP code with a lower 2020 median gross rent.
Housing costs reflect the income levels of the population living there. Costs tend to be less expensive in less affluent communities. The U.S. median household income is $64,996. Of the 50 ZIP codes on this list, 45 have lower typical household incomes compared to their home state and half have median household incomes of less than $40,000. This is the richest town in every state.
Nationwide, 2020 median gross rent comes to 29.6% of median household income. Even after accounting for the lower incomes in most of these ZIP codes, rent remains relatively affordable in the majority of the places on this list. In ZIP 85550, where San Carlos, Arizona is located, median gross rent comes to 10.6% of income. These are the U.S. cities where the most families need food stamps.
Click here to see where to find the cheapest rent in every state.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
Source: via Facebook / courtesy of City of Bridgeport, Al
Alabama: 35740
> Location: Bridgeport
> Median monthly rental cost: $338 (Alabama: $811)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 21.0% (Alabama: 28.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 34.1% (Alabama: 30.8%)
> Median home value: $104,200 (Alabama: $149,600)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 249
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Alaska: 99664
> Location: Seward
> Median monthly rental cost: $969 (Alaska: $1,240)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 32.2% (Alaska: 27.5%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 34.2% (Alaska: 35.2%)
> Median home value: $249,500 (Alaska: $275,600)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 35
Source: Courtesy of San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department
Arizona: 85550
> Location: San Carlos
> Median monthly rental cost: $320 (Arizona: $1,097)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 10.6% (Arizona: 29.0%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 46.8% (Arizona: 34.7%)
> Median home value: $52,100 (Arizona: $242,000)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 224
Arkansas: 72616
> Location: Berryville
> Median monthly rental cost: $496 (Arkansas: $760)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 23.0% (Arkansas: 27.2%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 23.4% (Arkansas: 34.2%)
> Median home value: $116,900 (Arkansas: $133,600)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 139
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California: 92254
> Location: Mecca
> Median monthly rental cost: $610 (California: $1,586)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 29.8% (California: 32.2%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 25.6% (California: 44.7%)
> Median home value: $155,400 (California: $538,500)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 1,131
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
Colorado: 81089
> Location: Walsenburg
> Median monthly rental cost: $622 (Colorado: $1,335)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 33.7% (Colorado: 30.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 33.1% (Colorado: 33.8%)
> Median home value: $148,600 (Colorado: $369,900)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 206
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Connecticut: 06702
> Location: Waterbury
> Median monthly rental cost: $504 (Connecticut: $1,201)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 37.7% (Connecticut: 30.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 96.7% (Connecticut: 33.9%)
> Median home value: N/A (Connecticut: $279,700)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 154
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Delaware: 19956
> Location: Laurel
> Median monthly rental cost: $784 (Delaware: $1,150)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 32.2% (Delaware: 29.7%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 33.4% (Delaware: 28.6%)
> Median home value: $188,500 (Delaware: $258,300)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 37
Source: thinkreaction / iStock via Getty Images
Florida: 32424
> Location: Blountstown
> Median monthly rental cost: $521 (Florida: $1,218)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 30.7% (Florida: 33.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 25.9% (Florida: 33.8%)
> Median home value: $101,900 (Florida: $232,000)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 747
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Georgia: 31096
> Location: Wrightsville
> Median monthly rental cost: $493 (Georgia: $1,042)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 34.0% (Georgia: 29.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 28.3% (Georgia: 36.0%)
> Median home value: $69,000 (Georgia: $190,200)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 385
Source: Lorraine Boogich / iStock via Getty Images
Hawaii: 96771
> Location: Mountain View
> Median monthly rental cost: $1,042 (Hawaii: $1,651)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 29.7% (Hawaii: 32.5%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 27.1% (Hawaii: 39.7%)
> Median home value: $196,400 (Hawaii: $636,400)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 44
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Idaho: 83204
> Location: Pocatello
> Median monthly rental cost: $615 (Idaho: $887)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 28.7% (Idaho: 27.9%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 35.3% (Idaho: 29.2%)
> Median home value: $156,000 (Idaho: $235,600)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 67
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Illinois: 62274
> Location: Pinckneyville
> Median monthly rental cost: $449 (Illinois: $1,038)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 50.0%+ (Illinois: 28.7%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 25.2% (Illinois: 33.7%)
> Median home value: $83,100 (Illinois: $202,100)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 450
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Indiana: 47390
> Location: Union City
> Median monthly rental cost: $516 (Indiana: $844)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 25.0% (Indiana: 28.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 23.5% (Indiana: 30.5%)
> Median home value: $75,400 (Indiana: $148,900)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 262
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Iowa: 50616
> Location: Charles City
> Median monthly rental cost: $531 (Iowa: $806)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 25.9% (Iowa: 26.7%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 32.0% (Iowa: 28.8%)
> Median home value: $109,000 (Iowa: $153,900)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 135
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
Kansas: 66725
> Location: Columbus
> Median monthly rental cost: $487 (Kansas: $863)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 25.4% (Kansas: 27.0%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 28.2% (Kansas: 33.8%)
> Median home value: $85,200 (Kansas: $157,600)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 141
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Kentucky: 41314
> Location: Booneville
> Median monthly rental cost: $319 (Kentucky: $783)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 28.2% (Kentucky: 27.1%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 34.4% (Kentucky: 32.4%)
> Median home value: $62,200 (Kentucky: $147,100)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 195
Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Louisiana: 71052
> Location: Mansfield
> Median monthly rental cost: $482 (Louisiana: $876)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 30.4% (Louisiana: 32.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 43.4% (Louisiana: 33.4%)
> Median home value: $81,700 (Louisiana: $168,100)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 205
Maine: 04756
> Location: Madawaska
> Median monthly rental cost: $483 (Maine: $873)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 45.0% (Maine: 28.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 38.5% (Maine: 27.1%)
> Median home value: $104,200 (Maine: $198,000)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 61
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Maryland: 21817
> Location: Crisfield
> Median monthly rental cost: $575 (Maryland: $1,415)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 25.9% (Maryland: 29.7%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 38.9% (Maryland: 32.9%)
> Median home value: $114,100 (Maryland: $325,400)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 193
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
Massachusetts: 01107
> Location: Springfield
> Median monthly rental cost: $663 (Massachusetts: $1,336)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 32.6% (Massachusetts: 29.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 71.1% (Massachusetts: 37.5%)
> Median home value: $164,900 (Massachusetts: $398,800)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 301
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Michigan: 49938
> Location: Ironwood
> Median monthly rental cost: $465 (Michigan: $892)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 25.0% (Michigan: 29.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 27.4% (Michigan: 28.3%)
> Median home value: $68,100 (Michigan: $162,600)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 377
Source: YinYang / iStock via Getty Images
Minnesota: 55731
> Location: Ely
> Median monthly rental cost: $505 (Minnesota: $1,010)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 33.7% (Minnesota: 28.2%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 27.5% (Minnesota: 28.1%)
> Median home value: $185,800 (Minnesota: $235,700)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 214
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Mississippi: 39328
> Location: De Kalb
> Median monthly rental cost: $314 (Mississippi: $789)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 22.1% (Mississippi: 29.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 31.8% (Mississippi: 31.2%)
> Median home value: $73,700 (Mississippi: $125,500)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 150
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Missouri: 65084
> Location: Versailles
> Median monthly rental cost: $429 (Missouri: $843)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 23.4% (Missouri: 27.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 32.1% (Missouri: 32.9%)
> Median home value: $128,800 (Missouri: $163,600)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 281
Montana: 59521
> Location: Rocky Boy West
> Median monthly rental cost: $308 (Montana: $836)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 15.4% (Montana: 27.7%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 57.0% (Montana: 31.5%)
> Median home value: $79,600 (Montana: $244,900)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 48
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Nebraska: 68305
> Location: Auburn
> Median monthly rental cost: $549 (Nebraska: $857)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 22.4% (Nebraska: 26.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 30.0% (Nebraska: 33.8%)
> Median home value: $91,000 (Nebraska: $164,000)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 90
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Nevada: 89419
> Location: Lovelock
> Median monthly rental cost: $578 (Nevada: $1,159)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 25.7% (Nevada: 30.0%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 40.6% (Nevada: 42.9%)
> Median home value: $113,100 (Nevada: $290,200)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 95
New Hampshire: 03570
> Location: Berlin
> Median monthly rental cost: $673 (New Hampshire: $1,145)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 32.3% (New Hampshire: 28.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 41.5% (New Hampshire: 28.8%)
> Median home value: $85,100 (New Hampshire: $272,300)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 58
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New Jersey: 08029
> Location: Glendora
> Median monthly rental cost: $545 (New Jersey: $1,368)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 24.8% (New Jersey: 30.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 28.3% (New Jersey: 36.0%)
> Median home value: $170,300 (New Jersey: $343,500)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 354
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New Mexico: 88063
> Location: Sunland Park
> Median monthly rental cost: $484 (New Mexico: $857)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 34.3% (New Mexico: 29.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 28.6% (New Mexico: 32.0%)
> Median home value: $106,800 (New Mexico: $175,700)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 69
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New York: 14569
> Location: Warsaw
> Median monthly rental cost: $555 (New York: $1,315)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 18.8% (New York: 30.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 35.9% (New York: 45.9%)
> Median home value: $118,700 (New York: $325,000)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 663
North Carolina: 27379
> Location: Yanceyville
> Median monthly rental cost: $481 (North Carolina: $932)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 30.1% (North Carolina: 28.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 38.7% (North Carolina: 34.3%)
> Median home value: $114,600 (North Carolina: $182,100)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 417
North Dakota: 58316
> Location: Belcourt
> Median monthly rental cost: $388 (North Dakota: $828)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 17.0% (North Dakota: 24.4%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 30.2% (North Dakota: 37.5%)
> Median home value: $84,200 (North Dakota: $199,900)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 25
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Ohio: 44503
> Location: Youngstown
> Median monthly rental cost: $304 (Ohio: $825)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 33.8% (Ohio: 27.5%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 100.0% (Ohio: 33.7%)
> Median home value: N/A (Ohio: $151,400)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 490
Oklahoma: 74523
> Location: Antlers
> Median monthly rental cost: $461 (Oklahoma: $818)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 28.8% (Oklahoma: 27.2%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 30.6% (Oklahoma: 33.9%)
> Median home value: $77,900 (Oklahoma: $142,400)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 178
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Oregon: 97862
> Location: Milton-Freewater
> Median monthly rental cost: $621 (Oregon: $1,173)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 27.3% (Oregon: 30.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 37.8% (Oregon: 37.2%)
> Median home value: $157,100 (Oregon: $336,700)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 156
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
Pennsylvania: 16501
> Location: Erie
> Median monthly rental cost: $386 (Pennsylvania: $958)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 37.3% (Pennsylvania: 28.6%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 98.8% (Pennsylvania: 31.0%)
> Median home value: N/A (Pennsylvania: $187,500)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 570
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
Rhode Island: 02917
> Location: Greenville
> Median monthly rental cost: $873 (Rhode Island: $1,031)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 29.1% (Rhode Island: 29.0%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 24.1% (Rhode Island: 38.4%)
> Median home value: $294,600 (Rhode Island: $276,600)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 43
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Source: jackgoras / iStock via Getty Images
South Carolina: 29148
> Location: Summerton
> Median monthly rental cost: $551 (South Carolina: $918)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 24.6% (South Carolina: 29.7%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 21.8% (South Carolina: 29.9%)
> Median home value: $83,400 (South Carolina: $170,100)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 201
South Dakota: 57555
> Location: Mission
> Median monthly rental cost: $466 (South Dakota: $761)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 20.7% (South Dakota: 25.2%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 46.0% (South Dakota: 32.0%)
> Median home value: $38,000 (South Dakota: $174,600)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 37
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Tennessee: 37402
> Location: Chattanooga
> Median monthly rental cost: $354 (Tennessee: $897)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 26.0% (Tennessee: 28.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 90.2% (Tennessee: 33.5%)
> Median home value: $237,600 (Tennessee: $177,600)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 271
Texas: 79845
> Location: Presidio
> Median monthly rental cost: $387 (Texas: $1,082)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 24.6% (Texas: 29.1%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 57.1% (Texas: 37.7%)
> Median home value: $50,400 (Texas: $187,200)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 925
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Utah: 84701
> Location: Richfield
> Median monthly rental cost: $696 (Utah: $1,090)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 30.4% (Utah: 27.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 32.6% (Utah: 29.5%)
> Median home value: $181,600 (Utah: $305,400)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 94
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Vermont: 05255
> Location: Manchester Center
> Median monthly rental cost: $674 (Vermont: $999)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 27.1% (Vermont: 29.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 30.0% (Vermont: 28.7%)
> Median home value: $309,900 (Vermont: $230,900)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 34
Virginia: 24244
> Location: Duffield
> Median monthly rental cost: $291 (Virginia: $1,257)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 12.3% (Virginia: 28.8%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 28.2% (Virginia: 33.3%)
> Median home value: $92,900 (Virginia: $282,800)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 324
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Washington: 98844
> Location: Oroville
> Median monthly rental cost: $656 (Washington: $1,337)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 28.8% (Washington: 29.1%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 24.9% (Washington: 36.7%)
> Median home value: $203,200 (Washington: $366,800)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 277
West Virginia: 26070
> Location: Wellsburg
> Median monthly rental cost: $500 (West Virginia: $732)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 25.3% (West Virginia: 28.9%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 22.8% (West Virginia: 26.3%)
> Median home value: $104,200 (West Virginia: $123,200)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 90
Wisconsin: 54520
> Location: Crandon
> Median monthly rental cost: $479 (Wisconsin: $872)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 23.2% (Wisconsin: 27.0%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 28.3% (Wisconsin: 32.9%)
> Median home value: $125,300 (Wisconsin: $189,200)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 247
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Wyoming: 83110
> Location: Afton
> Median monthly rental cost: $588 (Wyoming: $853)
> Share of income typically spent on rent: 18.4% (Wyoming: 26.3%)
> Rental occupied housing units: 29.0% (Wyoming: 29.0%)
> Median home value: $237,200 (Wyoming: $228,000)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 27
Methodology
To determine the ZIP code with the lowest rent in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of median gross rent from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey.
We used ZIP Code Tabulation Areas — a Census geography type which defines areal representations of United States Postal Service ZIP codes (USPS ZIP codes do not define geographic boundaries but instead are a network of mail delivery routes in a service area). We refer to Census ZCTAs as ZIP codes.
ZIP codes were excluded if median gross rent was not available in the 2020 ACS, if there were fewer than 500 renter-occupied housing units, or if the sampling error associated with a ZIP code’s data was deemed too high.
The sampling error was defined as too high if the coefficient of variation — a statistical assessment of how reliable an estimate is — for a ZIP code’s median gross rent was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all ZIP codes’ median gross rents. We similarly excluded ZIP codes that had a sampling error too high for their population, using the same definition.
ZIP codes were ranked based on the median gross rent. To break ties, we used the median gross rent as a share of household income.
Additional information on median gross rent as a share of household income, share of households occupied by renters, and median home value are also five-year estimates from the 2020 ACS. Because the Census Bureau didn’t release one-year estimates for 2020 due to data collection issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, all ACS data are five-year estimates.
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