Rent smarter with real data.
Most rental sites show you listings. StayRentals shows you the data behind the rent: government-sourced affordability metrics, fair market rents, and cost comparisons so you can decide where to live based on numbers, not marketing.
National Rental Snapshot
The national median rent is currently approximately $1,365, with an average rent burden of approximately 30.3%. These figures are based on cities with populations over 5,000, drawn from the most recent Census American Community Survey data. (Source: Census ACS, BLS)
National Median Rent
$1,365
per month
Average Rent Burden
30.3%
of income on rent
Average Vacancy Rate
8.6%
rental units
Most Expensive Cities
Large cities (100,000+) with a measured median rent below the Census reporting ceiling
| # | City | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale, CA | $2,990 |
| 2 | San Mateo, CA | $2,971 |
| 3 | Santa Clara, CA | $2,841 |
| 4 | Fremont, CA | $2,824 |
| 5 | Irvine, CA | $2,749 |
| 6 | Cambridge, MA | $2,628 |
| 7 | Daly City, CA | $2,554 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $2,526 |
| 9 | Thousand Oaks, CA | $2,483 |
| 10 | Carlsbad, CA | $2,477 |
128 places report a median rent at or above the Census reporting ceiling of $3,500 (shown as $3,500+). The Census does not publish exact medians above this level, so they cannot be ranked precisely: Cupertino, CA, Danville, CA, Foster City, CA, Los Altos, CA, Saratoga, CA, and 123 more.
Most Affordable Cities
Large cities (100,000+) with the lowest measured rent burden (% of income spent on rent)
| # | City | Rent Burden | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue, WA | 23.3% | $2,422 |
| 2 | Sunnyvale, CA | 23.4% | $2,990 |
| 3 | The Woodlands, TX | 23.9% | $1,723 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | 24.1% | $2,316 |
| 5 | Naperville, IL | 24.3% | $1,787 |
| 6 | Cary, NC | 24.4% | $1,538 |
| 7 | Overland Park, KS | 25.0% | $1,378 |
| 8 | Santa Clara, CA | 25.5% | $2,841 |
| 9 | Arlington, VA | 25.6% | $2,227 |
| 10 | Fargo, ND | 25.6% | $900 |
227 places report a rent burden at or below the Census reporting floor of 9.0%(shown as ≤9%), mostly very small places where the estimate is bottom-coded, so they cannot be ranked precisely: Tuba City, AZ, Fair Haven, NJ, Ranchettes, WY, Credit River, MN, Shannon Hills, AR, and 222 more.
A note on the data: the Census ACS caps what it publishes at the extremes. Median rents at or above $3,500 are top-coded to a single ceiling value, and rent burdens at or below 9.0% are bottom-coded to a single floor value. These capped figures are not measured medians, so we keep them out of the ranked lists (and count them in the notes above) rather than present false precision. Rankings cover cities with a reliable sample size (100,000+ residents) and break any ties by population, then alphabetically, so the order is stable across updates.
National Rent CPI Trend
Rent of primary residence, Consumer Price Index (BLS series CUSR0000SEHA)
How We Measure Affordability
We use the 30% rule as our primary affordability benchmark, combining Census rent data with Census income data to calculate rent burden for every city and state. Rent burden measures the percentage of household income that goes toward rent, giving a more complete picture than raw rent prices alone.
Our Fair Market Rent data comes directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which sets these figures annually based on the 40th percentile of area rents. This means approximately 40% of units rent at or below the Fair Market Rent.
Explore by Situation
Tools and data to help with your specific rental decision.
Moving for a new job?
Compare cost of living between your current city and your destination to understand how your salary translates.
Cost of Living Calculator→
First apartment?
Find out how much rent you can afford based on your income, and see which cities fit your budget.
Rent Affordability Calculator→
Rent or buy?
Compare the long-term costs of renting versus buying with our break-even analysis and 10-year projection.
Rent vs Buy Calculator→
What salary do I need?
Enter a target city and see the minimum income needed to rent without spending more than 30% of your earnings.
Salary Needed Calculator→
Popular City Comparisons
See how rent and affordability stack up between popular city pairs.
Denver, CO
vs
Austin, TX
Denver
$1,665
Austin
$1,549
New York, NY
vs
Los Angeles, CA
New York
$1,714
Los Angeles
$1,791
San Francisco, CA
vs
Seattle, WA
San Francisco
$2,316
Seattle
$1,945
Chicago, IL
vs
Houston, TX
Chicago
$1,314
Houston
$1,235
Miami, FL
vs
Tampa, FL
Miami
$1,494
Tampa
$1,422
Portland, OR
vs
Denver, CO
Portland
$1,530
Denver
$1,665
Latest Guides
In-depth rental guides backed by real data.
How Much Rent Can I Afford? Calculator & Guide 2024
Learn how much rent you can afford with the 30% rule, real market data, and practical examples. Calculate your ideal rent budget safely.
Read guide →
The 30 Percent Rule for Rent: Complete Guide with Real Data
Learn how the 30 percent rule for rent works, its limitations, and real-world examples using current market data to budget housing costs effectively.
Read guide →
What Percentage of Income Should Go to Rent? 2024 Guide
Learn the 30% rule and other rent-to-income guidelines. Discover how much of your paycheck should cover rent using real market data and examples.
Read guide →
Browse by State
Explore rental data for all 50 states and Washington D.C.
**Data Sources:**
- U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index for Rent of Primary Residence
Data is updated periodically. Census ACS data reflects 5-year estimates. HUD Fair Market Rents are updated annually. BLS rent CPI is updated monthly.
StayRentals is not a real estate agent, landlord, or property manager. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Rent estimates are based on government data and may not reflect current market conditions. Housing laws vary by state and municipality. Consult a local tenant rights organization or attorney for advice specific to your situation.