The 25 Best Cities for Renters in America

Cities where rent is most affordable relative to income. Find places where you can save more of your paycheck.

# City Median Rent Median Income Rent-to-Income Population
1 Madison, AL $1,375 $131,436 12.6% 58,335
2 Bentonville, AR $1,238 $108,465 13.7% 56,326
3 Shawnee, KS $1,233 $106,312 13.9% 68,175
4 Fishers, IN $1,491 $128,141 14% 100,918
5 Olathe, KS $1,314 $112,232 14% 143,720
6 Collierville, TN $1,574 $134,319 14.1% 51,212
7 Catalina Foothills, AZ $1,332 $113,201 14.1% 51,756
8 Carmel, IN $1,607 $134,602 14.3% 100,501
9 Ankeny, IA $1,279 $106,603 14.4% 70,542
10 Sammamish, WA $2,728 $227,273 14.4% 66,375
11 Wake Forest, NC $1,458 $120,777 14.5% 51,199
12 Naperville, IL $1,852 $150,937 14.7% 149,424
13 Appleton, WI $957 $77,450 14.8% 74,873
14 Lakeville, MN $1,727 $138,119 15% 72,480
15 Cary, NC $1,621 $129,399 15% 176,686
16 Noblesville, IN $1,284 $102,319 15.1% 71,940
17 Ellicott City, MD $2,001 $157,891 15.2% 73,737
18 The Woodlands, TX $1,792 $141,353 15.2% 116,916
19 Bethesda, MD $2,437 $191,348 15.3% 67,403
20 Plymouth, MN $1,705 $133,865 15.3% 79,526
21 Westfield, IN $1,526 $119,598 15.3% 51,109
22 Bismarck, ND $992 $77,608 15.3% 74,146
23 Alpharetta, GA $1,874 $146,581 15.3% 66,355
24 Edmond, OK $1,313 $102,032 15.4% 95,618
25 Apex, NC $1,784 $138,442 15.5% 67,765

Key Takeaways

  • Madison, AL ranks #1 with a rent-to-income ratio of 12.6%.
  • The top 5 cities are: Madison, AL; Bentonville, AR; Shawnee, KS; Fishers, IN; Olathe, KS.
  • Median household income in the #1 city is $131,436, with a population of 58,335.

Methodology

Rankings based on US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Only cities with population over 50,000 are included in national rankings. State rankings include all cities over 25,000. Data reflects the most recent available estimates.

Read our full methodologyVerify at data.census.gov