If you are a renter in the United States, finding an affordable and available roof to live under is a real and persistent issue — and it is more of an issue for low-income renters. In fact, no state has succeeded in adequately resolving the shortage of affordable rental units for the most financially-vulnerable Americans. (Also see, American cities where renting is least affordable.)
The U.S. faces a shortage of about 7.3 million homes for extremely income-constrained renters — those earning incomes at or below either the federal poverty guideline or 30% of their area median income, whichever is greater. In 49 states, at least 60% of low-income renter households are “severely cost burdened,” meaning they pay more than half of their income to a landlord.Â
To identify the states with the worst supply of affordable housing for low-income renters, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households from the “Gap Report,” an annual study of affordable housing by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. All data came from the report except for median household income and population, which came from U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey.
In Texas, for example, there are only 25 affordable and available residential rental units for every 100 extremely low-income renter households. The situation is worse in the state’s larger cities. There are fewer than 20 affordable and available units for per 100 extremely low-income household renters in the metropolitan and suburban areas of Austin, Dallas, and Houston.
In California — which is often compared to Texas because the states have the country’s two largest populations and often have opposing views on public policies — the situation is not much better. There are 24 affordable residential rental units for every 100 extremely low-income renters in California, a state with a median household income of nearly $85,000.Â
California has only slightly more affordable and available units for extremely low-income renters in its larger cities compared to Texas’ largest cities. There are only 19 to 20 affordable and available rental units per 100 of economically constrained renter households in the metropolitan and suburban areas of San Diego, Los Angeles, and Riverside. (This is the city in each state with the most people on food stamps.)
Though this problem permeates across the country, the situation is more dire in high-population states. In the top 10 most populated states, where 54% of the country’s population live, there is an average of 33 affordable, available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households — from 23 per 100 in Florida to 40 per 100 in Ohio. That compares to an average of 43 affordable rentals per 100 extremely low-income households, from 27 per 100 in Delaware to 58 per 100 in South Dakota.
Interestingly, there appears to be little or no relationship between statewide median income and availability of affordable rental units for the extremely poor. Nevada, which leads the country in statewide unavailability of affordable rentals for low-income residents — at 17 per 100 — has almost the same median household income as South Dakota, the state with the highest number of available and affordable homes, at 58 per 100 extremely low-income renter households.
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
50. South Dakota
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 58
> Extremely low-income renter households: 24,596 – 4th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 61.0% – 3rd lowest
> Median household income: $66,143 – 22nd lowest
> Total population: 895,376 – 5th lowest
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
49. Rhode Island
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 53
> Extremely low-income renter households: 51,596 – 12th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 60.0% – 2nd lowest
> Median household income: $74,008 – 15th highest
> Total population: 1,095,610 – 7th lowest
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images
48. Mississippi
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 51
> Extremely low-income renter households: 107,372 – 21st fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 69.0% – 22nd lowest
> Median household income: $48,716 – the lowest
> Total population: 2,949,965 – 17th lowest
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
47. West Virginia
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 50
> Extremely low-income renter households: 58,212 – 13th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 66.0% – 12th lowest
> Median household income: $51,248 – 2nd lowest
> Total population: 1,782,959 – 12th lowest
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Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
46. North Dakota
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 50
> Extremely low-income renter households: 25,385 – 5th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 73.0% – 15th highest
> Median household income: $66,519 – 25th lowest
> Total population: 774,948 – 4th lowest
Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News via Getty Images
45. Alabama
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 49
> Extremely low-income renter households: 170,510 – 22nd most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 70.0% – 25th highest
> Median household income: $53,913 – 5th lowest
> Total population: 5,039,877 – 24th highest
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Source: peeterv / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
44. Maine
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 49
> Extremely low-income renter households: 44,256 – 11th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 52.0% – the lowest
> Median household income: $64,767 – 19th lowest
> Total population: 1,372,247 – 9th lowest
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
43. Arkansas
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 47
> Extremely low-income renter households: 100,262 – 19th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 68.0% – 16th lowest
> Median household income: $52,528 – 4th lowest
> Total population: 3,025,891 – 18th lowest
Source: Wirestock / iStock via Getty Images
42. Kentucky
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 46
> Extremely low-income renter households: 165,116 – 25th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 67.0% – 13th lowest
> Median household income: $55,573 – 7th lowest
> Total population: 4,509,394 – 25th lowest
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Source: alexandarilich / iStock via Getty Images
41. Montana
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 45
> Extremely low-income renter households: 28,632 – 6th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 65.0% – 8th lowest
> Median household income: $63,249 – 16th lowest
> Total population: 1,104,271 – 8th lowest
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
40. Massachusetts
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 44
> Extremely low-income renter households: 313,607 – 11th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 64.0% – 6th lowest
> Median household income: $89,645 – 2nd highest
> Total population: 6,984,723 – 15th highest
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Source: Derek Allen / iStock via Getty Images
39. Missouri
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 44
> Extremely low-income renter households: 204,049 – 17th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 69.0% – 22nd lowest
> Median household income: $61,847 – 11th lowest
> Total population: 6,168,187 – 18th highest
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
38. South Carolina
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 42
> Extremely low-income renter households: 157,352 – 25th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 74.0% – 13th highest
> Median household income: $59,318 – 9th lowest
> Total population: 5,190,705 – 23rd highest
Source: Nicholas Nace / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
37. Tennessee
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 41
> Extremely low-income renter households: 217,445 – 15th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 69.0% – 22nd lowest
> Median household income: $59,695 – 10th lowest
> Total population: 6,975,218 – 16th highest
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Source: jmoor17 / Getty Images
36. Wyoming
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 41
> Extremely low-income renter households: 17,417 – the fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 64.0% – 6th lowest
> Median household income: $65,204 – 20th lowest
> Total population: 578,803 – the lowest
Source: magnetcreative / Getty Images
35. Ohio
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 40
> Extremely low-income renter households: 447,717 – 5th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 68.0% – 16th lowest
> Median household income: $62,262 – 13th lowest
> Total population: 11,780,017 – 7th highest
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
34. Iowa
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 40
> Extremely low-income renter households: 95,680 – 18th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 65.0% – 8th lowest
> Median household income: $65,600 – 21st lowest
> Total population: 3,193,079 – 20th lowest
33. Kansas
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 40
> Extremely low-income renter households: 92,717 – 17th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 71.0% – 23rd highest
> Median household income: $64,124 – 18th lowest
> Total population: 2,934,582 – 16th lowest
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
32. North Carolina
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 39
> Extremely low-income renter households: 343,385 – 8th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 72.0% – 21st highest
> Median household income: $61,972 – 12th lowest
> Total population: 10,551,162 – 9th highest
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31. Indiana
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 39
> Extremely low-income renter households: 199,050 – 18th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 70.0% – 25th highest
> Median household income: $62,743 – 14th lowest
> Total population: 6,805,985 – 17th highest
Source: yannp / iStock via Getty Images
30. Louisiana
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 39
> Extremely low-income renter households: 187,331 – 20th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 71.0% – 23rd highest
> Median household income: $52,087 – 3rd lowest
> Total population: 4,624,047 – 25th highest
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29. Oklahoma
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 39
> Extremely low-income renter households: 134,533 – 22nd fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 70.0% – 25th highest
> Median household income: $55,826 – 8th lowest
> Total population: 3,986,639 – 23rd lowest
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
28. Pennsylvania
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 38
> Extremely low-income renter households: 430,703 – 7th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 69.0% – 22nd lowest
> Median household income: $68,957 – 21st highest
> Total population: 12,964,056 – 5th highest
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
27. Minnesota
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 38
> Extremely low-income renter households: 167,522 – 24th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 66.0% – 12th lowest
> Median household income: $77,720 – 13th highest
> Total population: 5,707,390 – 22nd highest
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Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
26. Nebraska
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 38
> Extremely low-income renter households: 65,077 – 15th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 66.0% – 12th lowest
> Median household income: $66,817 – 24th highest
> Total population: 1,963,692 – 14th lowest
Source: BondMatia / iStock via Getty Images
25. Idaho
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 38
> Extremely low-income renter households: 39,722 – 9th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 66.0% – 12th lowest
> Median household income: $66,474 – 24th lowest
> Total population: 1,900,923 – 13th lowest
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Source: halbergman / iStock via Getty Images
24. New Hampshire
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 38
> Extremely low-income renter households: 32,677 – 8th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 62.0% – 4th lowest
> Median household income: $88,465 – 4th highest
> Total population: 1,388,992 – 10th lowest
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
23. Connecticut
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 37
> Extremely low-income renter households: 142,367 – 24th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 68.0% – 16th lowest
> Median household income: $83,771 – 8th highest
> Total population: 3,605,597 – 22nd lowest
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
22. Michigan
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 36
> Extremely low-income renter households: 301,315 – 12th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 72.0% – 21st highest
> Median household income: $63,498 – 17th lowest
> Total population: 10,050,811 – 10th highest
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
21. New Mexico
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 36
> Extremely low-income renter households: 67,899 – 16th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 73.0% – 15th highest
> Median household income: $53,992 – 6th lowest
> Total population: 2,115,877 – 15th lowest
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
20. Wisconsin
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 35
> Extremely low-income renter households: 195,642 – 19th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 69.0% – 22nd lowest
> Median household income: $67,125 – 22nd highest
> Total population: 5,895,908 – 20th highest
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
19. Vermont
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 35
> Extremely low-income renter households: 21,784 – 3rd fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 73.0% – 15th highest
> Median household income: $72,431 – 16th highest
> Total population: 645,570 – 2nd lowest
Source: photosvit / iStock via Getty Images
18. Alaska
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 35
> Extremely low-income renter households: 20,291 – 2nd fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 69.0% – 22nd lowest
> Median household income: $77,845 – 12th highest
> Total population: 732,673 – 3rd lowest
Source: nopow / iStock via Getty Images
17. Illinois
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 34
> Extremely low-income renter households: 443,746 – 6th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 73.0% – 15th highest
> Median household income: $72,205 – 17th highest
> Total population: 12,671,469 – 6th highest
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16. Georgia
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 34
> Extremely low-income renter households: 322,338 – 10th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 77.0% – 9th highest
> Median household income: $66,559 – 25th highest
> Total population: 10,799,566 – 8th highest
Source: unclegene / iStock via Getty Images
15. Hawaii
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 34
> Extremely low-income renter households: 41,207 – 10th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 70.0% – 25th highest
> Median household income: $84,857 – 6th highest
> Total population: 1,441,553 – 11th lowest
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
14. Utah
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 33
> Extremely low-income renter households: 65,032 – 14th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 73.0% – 15th highest
> Median household income: $79,449 – 11th highest
> Total population: 3,337,975 – 21st lowest
Source: futurewalk / iStock via Getty Images
13. New York
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 32
> Extremely low-income renter households: 970,882 – 2nd most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 73.0% – 15th highest
> Median household income: $74,314 – 14th highest
> Total population: 19,835,913 – 4th highest
Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
12. Virginia
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 32
> Extremely low-income renter households: 254,821 – 13th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 78.0% – 6th highest
> Median household income: $80,963 – 10th highest
> Total population: 8,642,274 – 12th highest
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
11. New Jersey
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 31
> Extremely low-income renter households: 323,284 – 9th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 74.0% – 13th highest
> Median household income: $89,296 – 3rd highest
> Total population: 9,267,130 – 11th highest
Source: peeterv / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
10. Maryland
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 30
> Extremely low-income renter households: 207,554 – 16th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 75.0% – 11th highest
> Median household income: $90,203 – the highest
> Total population: 6,165,129 – 19th highest
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Source: gmc3101 / iStock via Getty Images
9. Washington
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 28
> Extremely low-income renter households: 242,726 – 14th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 75.0% – 11th highest
> Median household income: $84,247 – 7th highest
> Total population: 7,738,692 – 13th highest
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Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
8. Delaware
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 27
> Extremely low-income renter households: 29,007 – 7th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 77.0% – 9th highest
> Median household income: $71,091 – 19th highest
> Total population: 1,003,384 – 6th lowest
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
7. Colorado
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 26
> Extremely low-income renter households: 168,752 – 23rd most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 78.0% – 6th highest
> Median household income: $82,254 – 9th highest
> Total population: 5,812,069 – 21st highest
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Source: Art Wager / iStock via Getty Images
6. Texas
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 25
> Extremely low-income renter households: 904,814 – 3rd most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 79.0% – 5th highest
> Median household income: $66,963 – 23rd highest
> Total population: 29,527,941 – 2nd highest
Source: ivanastar / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
5. California
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 24
> Extremely low-income renter households: 1,308,328 – the most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 78.0% – 6th highest
> Median household income: $84,907 – 5th highest
> Total population: 39,237,836 – the highest
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Source: 4kodiak / E+ via Getty Images
4. Arizona
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 24
> Extremely low-income renter households: 179,846 – 21st most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 80.0% – 3rd highest
> Median household income: $69,056 – 20th highest
> Total population: 7,276,316 – 14th highest
Source: TasfotoNL / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
3. Florida
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 23
> Extremely low-income renter households: 575,379 – 4th most
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 83.0% – 2nd highest
> Median household income: $63,062 – 15th lowest
> Total population: 21,781,128 – 3rd highest
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images
2. Oregon
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 23
> Extremely low-income renter households: 141,795 – 23rd fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 80.0% – 3rd highest
> Median household income: $71,562 – 18th highest
> Total population: 4,246,155 – 24th lowest
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Source: Max Whittaker / Getty Images News via Getty Images
1. Nevada
> Number of affordable and available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households: 17
> Extremely low-income renter households: 101,413 – 20th fewest
> XLI households paying over half of income on rent: 86.0% – the highest
> Median household income: $66,274 – 23rd lowest
> Total population: 3,143,991 – 19th lowest
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