How Much Rent the Middle Class Can Afford in All 50 States


Feverpitched / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Feverpitched / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Amid a national rent-affordability crisis, we aimed to analyze how much middle-class renters on a budget pay their monthly rent per state.

For starters, it helps to define the “middle class.” Per the Pew Research Center: “Those with an annual household income that was two-thirds to double the median income.” So if you live in Florida — where the annual median household income is about $68,000 — making between $45,000 and $136,000 a year lands you in the middle class.

From there, applying the long-time guideline that you should try spending no more than 30% of your monthly income on housing, it’s possible to calculate roughly how much members of the middle class can afford rent.

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There are many variables, not the least of which is that only spending 30% of your monthly income on housing is unrealistic for many — especially when low inventory and high interest rates have led to spikes in rental costs. That said, the data listed below for each state should provide a general idea of what’s affordable these days.

The differences between states are pronounced. For example, Mississippi has a median household income of $52,985, and making between $35,323 and $105,970 is good enough to land you in the middle-class category. Middle-class renters in the Magnolia State can generally afford between $883 and $2,649 in monthly payments.

At the other end of the spectrum, the District of Columbia has a median household income of $101,722 and a middle-class range of about $68,000 to $203,000. The affordability range for middle-class renters there is $1,695 to $5,086.

Here’s a state-by-state list that includes median income, the upper and lower limits for what qualifies as middle class, and the upper and lower limits of what these renters can generally manage to pay.

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Michael Warren / Getty Images

Alabama

  • Median household income: $59,609

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $39,739

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $119,218

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $993.47

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $2,980.45

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andykazie / Getty Images

Alaska

  • Median household income: $86,370

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $57,579

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $172,740

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,439.49

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,318.50

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Arizona

  • Median household income: $72,581

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $48,387

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $145,162

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,209.67

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,629.05

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BlazenImages / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arkansas

  • Median household income: $56,335

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $37,556

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $112,670

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $938.91

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $2,816.75

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphotoDenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

California

  • Median household income: $91,905

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $61,269

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $183,810

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,531.73

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,595.25

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Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Colorado

  • Median household income: $87,598

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $58,398

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $175,196

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,459.95

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,379.90

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DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Connecticut

  • Median household income: $90,213

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $60,141

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $180,426

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,503.53

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,510.65

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Dana Dagle Photography / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Delaware

  • Median household income: $79,325

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $52,883

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $158,650

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,322.07

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,966.25

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Pgiam / Getty Images

District of Columbia

  • Median household income: $101,722

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $67,814

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $203,444

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,695.35

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $5,086.10

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Art Wager / iStock/Getty Images

Florida

  • Median household income: $67,917

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $45,278

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $135,834

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,131.94

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,395.85

Check Out: What the Upper Middle Class Make in Different US Cities

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Nate Hovee / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Georgia

  • Median household income: $71,355

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $47,570

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $142,710

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,189.24

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,567.75

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JamesBrey / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Hawaii

  • Median household income: $94,814

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $63,209

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $189,628

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,580.22

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,740.70

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picmax / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Idaho

  • Median household income: $70,214

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $46,809

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $140,428

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,170.22

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,510.70

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Mlenny / Getty Images

Illinois

  • Median household income: $78,433

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $52,288

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $156,866

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,307.20

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,921.65

Read Next: Here’s How Much the Definition of Middle Class Has Changed in Every State

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Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Indiana

  • Median household income: $67,173

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $44,782

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $134,346

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,119.54

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,358.65

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dangarneau / Getty Images

Iowa

  • Median household income: $70,571

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $47,047

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $141,142

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,176.17

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,528.55

Tyler Mabie / Shutterstock.comTyler Mabie / Shutterstock.com

Tyler Mabie / Shutterstock.com

Kansas

  • Median household income: $69,747

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $46,498

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $139,494

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,162.44

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,487.35

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hstiver / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kentucky

  • Median household income: $60,183

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $40,122

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $120,366

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,003.04

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,009.15

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SeanPavonePhoto / Getty ImagesSeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

Louisiana

  • Median household income: $57,852

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $38,568

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $115,704

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $964.19

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $2,892.60

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphotoSean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Maine

  • Median household income: $68,251

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $45,500

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $136,502

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,137.51

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,412.55

Tim Pruss / Getty ImagesTim Pruss / Getty Images

Tim Pruss / Getty Images

Maryland

  • Median household income: $98,461

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $65,640

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $196,922

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,641.00

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,923.05

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphotoDenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Massachusetts

  • Median household income: $96,505

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $64,336

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $193,010

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,608.40

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,825.25

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pawel.gaul / Getty Images

Michigan

  • Median household income: $68,505

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $45,670

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $137,010

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,141.74

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,425.25

Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphotoJacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Minnesota

  • Median household income: $84,313

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $56,208

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $168,626

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,405.20

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,215.65

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphotoSeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Mississippi

  • Median household income: $52,985

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $35,323

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $105,970

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $883.07

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $2,649.25

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Art Wager / iStock.com

Missouri

  • Median household income: $65,920

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $43,946

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $131,840

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,098.66

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,296.00

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leezsnow / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Montana

  • Median household income: $66,341

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $44,227

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $132,682

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,105.67

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,317.05

Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphotoJacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Nebraska

  • Median household income: $71,722

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $47,814

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $143,444

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,195.35

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,586.10

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lucky-photographer / Getty Images

Nevada

  • Median household income: $71,646

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $47,764

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $143,292

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,194.09

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,582.30

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DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

New Hampshire

  • Median household income: $90,845

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $60,563

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $181,690

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,514.07

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,542.25

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Jersey

  • Median household income: $97,126

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $64,750

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $194,252

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,618.75

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,856.30

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphotoSean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Mexico

  • Median household income: $58,722

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $39,148

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $117,444

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $978.69

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $2,936.10

benedek / Getty Images/iStockphotobenedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto

benedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New York

  • Median household income: $81,386

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $54,257

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $162,772

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,356.42

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,069.30

Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphotoKruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

North Carolina

  • Median household income: $66,186

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $44,124

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $132,372

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,103.09

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,309.30

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

North Dakota

  • Median household income: $73,959

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $49,306

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $147,918

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,232.64

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,697.95

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphotoSean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Ohio

  • Median household income: $66,990

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $44,660

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $133,980

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,116.49

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,349.50

JTSorrell / Getty ImagesJTSorrell / Getty Images

JTSorrell / Getty Images

Oklahoma

  • Median household income: $61,364

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $40,909

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $122,728

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,022.72

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,068.20

Rex_Wholster / Getty Images/iStockphotoRex_Wholster / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Rex_Wholster / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Oregon

  • Median household income: $76,632

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $$51,087

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $153,264

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,277.19

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,831.60

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Pennsylvania

  • Median household income: $73,170

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $48,780

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $146,340

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,219.49

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,658.50

Alex Potemkin / Getty Images/iStockphotoAlex Potemkin / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Alex Potemkin / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Rhode Island

  • Median household income: $$81,370

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $54,246

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $162,740

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,356.15

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,068.50

Craig McCausland / iStock.comCraig McCausland / iStock.com

Craig McCausland / iStock.com

South Carolina

  • Median household income: $63,623

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $42,415

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $127,246

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,060.37

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,181.15

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphotoDenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

South Dakota

  • Median household income: $69,457

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $46,304

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $138,914

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,157.61

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,472.85

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Sean Pavone / iStock.com

Tennessee

  • Median household income: $64,035

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $42,690

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $128,070

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,067.24

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,201.75

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benedek / Getty Images

Texas

  • Median household income: $73,035

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $48,690

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $146,070

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,217.24

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,651.75

fotoVoyager / Getty Images/iStockphotofotoVoyager / Getty Images/iStockphoto

fotoVoyager / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Utah

  • Median household income: $86,833

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $57,888

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $173,666

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,447.20

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,341.65

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Jamesbowyer / Getty Images

Vermont

  • Median household income: $74,014

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $49,342

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $148,028

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,233.55

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,700.70

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ferrantraite / Getty Images

Virginia

  • Median household income: $87,249

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $58,165

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $174,498

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,454.14

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,362.45

4nadia / Getty Images/iStockphoto4nadia / Getty Images/iStockphoto

4nadia / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Washington

  • Median household income: $90,325

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $60,216

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $180,650

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,505.40

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $4,516.25

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphotoSean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

West Virginia

  • Median household income: $55,217

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $36,811

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $110,434

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $920.27

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $2,760.85

Ultima_Gaina / Getty ImagesUltima_Gaina / Getty Images

Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images

Wisconsin

  • Median household income: $72,458

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $48,305

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $144,916

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,207.62

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,622.90

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aimintang / Getty Images

Wyoming

  • Median household income: $72,495

  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $48,330

  • Highest end of middle-class income: $144,990

  • Lowest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $1,208.24

  • Highest end of rent affordability for the middle class: $3,624.75

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates used the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey to find every state’s median household income. From there, GOBankingRates was able to determine each state’s middle-class income range by following the definition laid out by the Pew Research Center: “… those with an annual household income that was two-thirds to double the median income” With the middle-class income calculated, GOBankingRates was then able to find the range of affordable rent for the middle-class in each state, following the guideline that no more than 30% of gross income (pre-tax) should be spent on housing. All data is up to date as of June 17, 2024.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Rent the Middle Class Can Afford in All 50 States



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