Most Affordable States for Renters (2026)
States ranked by true affordability, considering both rent prices AND cost of living. Find where your money goes furthest.
#1 Most Affordable: Kansas
Median: Pennsylvania
Least Affordable: Massachusetts
How We Calculate Affordability
Our affordability ranking combines average 2-bedroom rent with each state's cost of living index. This gives a more accurate picture of where your money goes furthest, since a state with $1,000/mo rent but 80 COL index is more affordable than $1,000/mo rent with 120 COL index. The formula:Affordability Score = Rent x (COL Index / 100)
Kansas
Most Affordable
$1,099/mo + 89 COL
6
No Income Tax States
100
National COL Average
Massachusetts
Least Affordable
$2,941/mo + 131 COL
Complete Affordability Ranking
Sorted by affordability score (rent adjusted for cost of living)
| Rank | State | 2BR Rent | COL Index | Housing Index | Affordability Score | No Income Tax | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Kansas | $1,099 | 89 | 75 | 978 | - | View → |
#2 | North Dakota | $1,112 | 93 | 85 | 1,034 | - | View → |
#3 | Iowa | $1,195 | 90 | 78 | 1,076 | - | View → |
#4 | Mississippi | $1,288 | 84 | 68 | 1,082 | - | View → |
#5 | Oklahoma | $1,244 | 87 | 72 | 1,082 | - | View → |
#6 | Arkansas | $1,247 | 87 | 73 | 1,085 | - | View → |
#7 | Louisiana | $1,185 | 92 | 82 | 1,090 | - | View → |
#8 | Alabama | $1,266 | 89 | 75 | 1,127 | - | View → |
#9 | Kentucky | $1,272 | 90 | 78 | 1,145 | - | View → |
#10 | Missouri | $1,288 | 89 | 76 | 1,146 | - | View → |
#11 | Nebraska | $1,255 | 92 | 82 | 1,155 | - | View → |
#12 | Indiana | $1,293 | 91 | 80 | 1,177 | - | View → |
#13 | Ohio | $1,312 | 90 | 75 | 1,181 | - | View → |
#14 | South Dakota | $1,336 | 92 | 85 | 1,229 | Yes | View → |
#15 | Michigan | $1,429 | 91 | 78 | 1,300 | - | View → |
#16 | Wisconsin | $1,423 | 93 | 85 | 1,323 | - | View → |
#17 | Tennessee | $1,492 | 91 | 85 | 1,358 | Yes | View → |
#18 | Texas | $1,487 | 93 | 88 | 1,383 | Yes | View → |
#19 | South Carolina | $1,509 | 93 | 85 | 1,403 | - | View → |
#20 | Georgia | $1,517 | 94 | 88 | 1,426 | - | View → |
#21 | Pennsylvania | $1,555 | 96 | 90 | 1,493 | - | View → |
#22 | North Carolina | $1,655 | 96 | 90 | 1,589 | - | View → |
#23 | Idaho | $1,655 | 97 | 105 | 1,605 | - | View → |
#24 | Utah | $1,604 | 101 | 110 | 1,620 | - | View → |
#25 | Arizona | $1,621 | 103 | 105 | 1,670 | - | View → |
#26 | Minnesota | $1,709 | 99 | 98 | 1,692 | - | View → |
#27 | Illinois | $1,781 | 95 | 85 | 1,692 | - | View → |
#28 | Virginia | $1,684 | 103 | 108 | 1,735 | - | View → |
#29 | Nevada | $1,735 | 103 | 110 | 1,787 | Yes | View → |
#30 | Rhode Island | $1,729 | 111 | 120 | 1,919 | - | View → |
#31 | Florida | $1,902 | 102 | 105 | 1,940 | Yes | View → |
#32 | Colorado | $1,912 | 105 | 115 | 2,008 | - | View → |
#33 | Oregon | $1,805 | 113 | 130 | 2,040 | - | View → |
#34 | Connecticut | $1,865 | 113 | 115 | 2,107 | - | View → |
#35 | Maryland | $1,857 | 118 | 135 | 2,191 | - | View → |
#36 | Washington | $2,016 | 110 | 125 | 2,218 | Yes | View → |
#37 | New York | $1,985 | 139 | 185 | 2,759 | - | View → |
#38 | District of Columbia | $2,246 | 148 | 195 | 3,324 | - | View → |
#39 | California | $2,396 | 142 | 192 | 3,402 | - | View → |
#40 | Massachusetts | $2,941 | 131 | 165 | 3,853 | - | View → |
States with No Income Tax
These 6 states have no state income tax, which can significantly improve your overall affordability, especially for higher earners.
Top 10 Most Affordable States
10 Least Affordable States
$2,941/mo
COL: 131
#39California
$2,396/mo
COL: 142
$2,246/mo
COL: 148
#37New York
$1,985/mo
COL: 139
#36Washington
$2,016/mo
COL: 110
#35Maryland
$1,857/mo
COL: 118
#34Connecticut
$1,865/mo
COL: 113
#33Oregon
$1,805/mo
COL: 113
#32Colorado
$1,912/mo
COL: 105
#31Florida
$1,902/mo
COL: 102
Beyond Rent: What Affects Affordability
Housing Costs
- • Monthly rent prices
- • Utilities (electricity, gas, water)
- • Renters insurance
- • Parking fees
- • Move-in costs (deposits, fees)
Daily Living Costs
- • Groceries and food
- • Transportation (car, gas, transit)
- • Healthcare costs
- • Entertainment
- • Childcare (if applicable)
Income Factors
- • State income tax (or lack thereof)
- • Local job market salaries
- • Career growth opportunities
- • Remote work flexibility
- • Side income potential