15 Most Expensive Cities to Rent in Based on Monthly Income

Renting now more than ever seems like a more affordable housing option. According to Census data, 44.5 million people were renters in 2023, up from 43.9 million in 2022.

Depending on where you live, though, the cost of rent can quickly dominate your budget. Although housing is often the biggest expense for everyone, it’s a bigger slice of your income in some cities, making it harder to get ahead financially.

A FinanceBuzz study found these 15 cities to be the most expensive cities to rent, based on the percentage of monthly income that goes toward housing. Some cities with higher rent prices are not on this list because the median income in the city balances out the higher rental cost.

FinanceBuzz took a look at the 100 largest cities in the U.S., based on the most recent Census estimates. From there, the study looked at the average cost of rent versus the median income in the city to derive the percentage of monthly income consumed by average rent in these cities.

Residents of St. Petersburg on the Gulf Coast earn a median household income of $69,941 and the average cost of rent sits at $2,025. On average, renters are putting 27% of their monthly income toward rent.

In the City of Brotherly Love, residents spend an average of 27% of their monthly income on rent. While the average cost of rent is $1,910 per month, making it one of the lowest options on this list, the median household income is $56,517. With that, Philly residents face one of the most expensive rental options in the country.

New York City is notorious for having high rental rates. The good news for New Yorkers is that when median income is taken into account, rent is slightly more affordable in the Big Apple than in Philly or St. Pete. The bad news is that New Yorkers are still spending an average of 27% of their monthly income on rent.

On average, rent in Manhattan is $4,939 per month in the city that never sleeps. That takes a significant amount out of the median annual income of $74,694.

Irvine residents boast a median annual income of $123,003. But an average annual rent of $3,112 leads residents to spend an average of 27% of their monthly income on housing costs.

If you live in Boston, it's likely that rent consumes a major part of your paycheck. With a median income of $86,331 and average rent prices of $3,999 per month, Bostonians spend around 27% of their gross monthly income on rent.

Baltimore, often known as the Charm City, might be a great place to live, but the cost of rent is less than charming for most residents.

The average rent for the area is $1,574, which might seem relatively affordable at first glance. However, when you consider the median income of $55,198, rent still accounts for 27% of residents’ income each month.

On the east coast of Florida, Port St. Lucie is a tropical paradise for some. But the tropical locale comes with a steep price tag.

The average rent for the area is $1,947 per month. When combined with a median income of $70,613, residents are spending an average of 28% of their income on rent.

Los Angeles is another notoriously expensive city, with average rent at $2,719 per month. A median annual income of $76,135 leads to residents spending 28% of their income on rent.

Anaheim offers close proximity to Disneyland, but if you want to be neighbors with Mickey Mouse, it comes at a high cost.

With a median income of $85,133, Anaheim residents pay an average of $2,379 in rent. That’s 28% of their income out the door to cover housing costs.

Santa Ana draws residents with its temperate climate. But if you want to live in breezy Southern California, you might face sticker shock.

With an average rent of $2,607 per month and a median income of $79,351, Santa Ana residents funnel 29% of their income toward rent.

Orlando, home to Walt Disney World, puts you in the middle of the Sunshine State. But the magical location comes with a rental price tag of $1,915 per month, which isn't great if you're trying to get ahead financially.

While that’s a lower rate than many of the places on this list, a median income of $65,354 means that Orlando residents pay an average of 29% of their income toward rent.

Cleveland might be a surprise on this list. But with a median income of $37,351, the average monthly rent of $1,396 puts a strain on many households. On average, Cleveland residents spend 29% of their income on rent.

The sticker price for rent in Newark is $1,557 per month. That’s considerably less than their New York neighbors, but it’s not necessarily more affordable.

With a median income of $49,688, Newark residents spend an average of 31% of their monthly income on rent.

Miami is in the heart of sunny South Florida. Many people are drawn to the Miami-Dade area despite increasing home insurance rates. So it might not be surprising that Miami is one of the least affordable places for renters.

With a median income of $60,989 and an average monthly rent of $2,570, Miami residents spend an average of 31% of their monthly income on rent.

Detroit tops this list as the most expensive city to be a renter. While rental prices seem modest compared with some other locations on this list at $1,256, a median annual income of $36,453 pushes renters to funnel 33% of their monthly income toward rent in the Motor City.

If you hope to live in an expensive city, you may have to consider a side hustle even with a full-time job to make ends meet. Or you may need to join forces with a roommate to cover the cost of rent.

Whether you’re a new college grad or thinking of relocating for retirement, make sure to run the numbers before heading to a new hometown.