Rent-to-income ratio measures what percentage of household income goes to rent. Financial advisors generally recommend keeping this below 30%. These 50 cities offer the best balance between earnings and housing costs, leaving more room in the budget for savings, investments, and everyday expenses.
| # | City | Rent-to-Income | Median Rent | Median Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milton, MA | 10.1% | $1,503 | $178,053 | 28,481 |
| 2 | New Lenox, IL | 11.2% | $1,244 | $133,071 | 27,456 |
| 3 | Leawood, KS | 11.4% | $1,753 | $184,976 | 33,844 |
| 4 | Severna Park, MD | 11.5% | $1,617 | $168,091 | 39,499 |
| 5 | Upper Arlington, OH | 11.8% | $1,480 | $150,993 | 36,319 |
| 6 | Glen Ellyn, IL | 11.9% | $1,326 | $133,346 | 28,270 |
| 7 | Wildwood, MO | 12% | $1,575 | $157,750 | 35,168 |
| 8 | Gillette, WY | 12.2% | $922 | $90,699 | 33,278 |
| 9 | Dublin, OH | 12.3% | $1,596 | $155,282 | 49,031 |
| 10 | Zionsville, IN | 12.3% | $1,635 | $159,126 | 31,442 |
| 11 | Wilmette, IL | 12.3% | $1,968 | $192,300 | 27,550 |
| 12 | Urbandale, IA | 12.5% | $1,176 | $113,086 | 46,026 |
| 13 | Westfield, NJ | 12.5% | $2,211 | $212,700 | 30,760 |
| 14 | Madison, AL | 12.6% | $1,375 | $131,436 | 58,335 |
| 15 | Oakville, MO | 12.6% | $1,083 | $103,125 | 35,166 |
| 16 | Batavia, IL | 12.6% | $1,255 | $119,167 | 26,730 |
| 17 | Reading, MA | 12.6% | $1,722 | $163,725 | 25,448 |
| 18 | Prairieville, LA | 12.7% | $1,225 | $115,610 | 35,010 |
| 19 | Fulshear, TX | 12.7% | $1,889 | $178,398 | 26,986 |
| 20 | Ridgewood, NJ | 12.9% | $2,340 | $217,250 | 26,076 |
| 21 | Potomac, MD | 13.1% | $2,616 | $239,205 | 46,230 |
| 22 | Park Ridge, IL | 13.1% | $1,511 | $138,059 | 39,241 |
| 23 | Kaysville, UT | 13.2% | $1,423 | $128,996 | 32,861 |
| 24 | Kirkwood, MO | 13.2% | $1,293 | $117,439 | 29,302 |
| 25 | Wethersfield, CT | 13.2% | $1,303 | $118,523 | 27,180 |
| 26 | West Fargo, ND | 13.3% | $1,075 | $96,877 | 39,325 |
| 27 | Muskego, WI | 13.3% | $1,292 | $116,361 | 25,156 |
| 28 | Bettendorf, IA | 13.4% | $1,148 | $102,917 | 39,297 |
| 29 | Marion, IA | 13.5% | $978 | $87,105 | 41,690 |
| 30 | Vestavia Hills, AL | 13.5% | $1,455 | $129,171 | 38,704 |
| 31 | Eldersburg, MD | 13.5% | $1,655 | $146,598 | 30,626 |
| 32 | Fort Mill, SC | 13.5% | $1,437 | $127,537 | 28,281 |
| 33 | Wentzville, MO | 13.6% | $1,264 | $111,409 | 45,734 |
| 34 | North Ridgeville, OH | 13.6% | $1,067 | $94,234 | 36,043 |
| 35 | Needham, MA | 13.6% | $2,412 | $212,241 | 32,059 |
| 36 | Bentonville, AR | 13.7% | $1,238 | $108,465 | 56,326 |
| 37 | Jefferson City, MO | 13.7% | $766 | $67,205 | 42,565 |
| 38 | Ballwin, MO | 13.7% | $1,386 | $121,170 | 30,835 |
| 39 | Wellesley, MA | 13.7% | $2,849 | $250,001 | 29,906 |
| 40 | Avon, OH | 13.7% | $1,446 | $126,618 | 25,082 |
| 41 | Keller, TX | 13.8% | $1,985 | $172,654 | 45,598 |
| 42 | Prosper, TX | 13.8% | $2,152 | $187,603 | 34,567 |
| 43 | Perrysburg, OH | 13.8% | $1,213 | $105,226 | 25,065 |
| 44 | Shawnee, KS | 13.9% | $1,233 | $106,312 | 68,175 |
| 45 | Mount Pleasant, WI | 13.9% | $1,045 | $90,189 | 27,694 |
| 46 | Olathe, KS | 14% | $1,314 | $112,232 | 143,720 |
| 47 | Fishers, IN | 14% | $1,491 | $128,141 | 100,918 |
| 48 | Chesterfield, MO | 14% | $1,553 | $133,380 | 49,591 |
| 49 | Evans, GA | 14% | $1,483 | $126,767 | 37,718 |
| 50 | Catalina Foothills, AZ | 14.1% | $1,332 | $113,201 | 51,756 |
Key Takeaways
- Milton, MA ranks #1 with a rent-to-income ratio of 10.1%.
- The top 5 cities are: Milton, MA; New Lenox, IL; Leawood, KS; Severna Park, MD; Upper Arlington, OH.
- The gap between #1 (10.1%) and #50 (14.1%) shows significant variation even within the top 50.
- Median household income in the top-ranked city is $178,053, with a population of 28,481.
Methodology
Rankings based on US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. All cities with valid data and populations above 25,000 are included. Rent-to-income ratio is calculated as (median gross rent x 12) / median household income. Data reflects the most recent available estimates.