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15 Major U.S. Cities Where Rent Is Still Under $1,500

There are still plenty of affordable cities in the U.S. if you know where to look.

By Andy Lindquist

Edited by Lauren Wellbank

Updated April 5, 2025

Finding an affordable city to live in is crucial to building wealth. Afterall, the less rent you pay, the more cash you have to invest. While rents have increased in some major U.S. cities, there are still plenty of options for people looking for affordability.

Using data from Realtor.com, we compiled a list of 15 major cities where you can still rent an apartment for under $1,500 a month.

Realtor.com price data is based on the median monthly price of apartments and private rentals in the 50 largest U.S. metro areas, sourced from the company's vast database of listings.

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Richmond, Virginia

Median monthly rent: $1,481

Richmond offers a balanced rental market with a relatively higher inventory than other East Coast cities. Renters benefit from strong tenant protections, including 5-day grace periods and limits on late fees.

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Raleigh, North Carolina

Median monthly rent: $1,486 

Raleigh continues to add new rental units to meet demand, keeping rent growth moderate. Its growing tech sector and quality of life make it attractive to remote workers and young professionals.

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, Arizona

Median monthly rent: $1,488

Phoenix's sprawling metro means more housing availability, and Arizona law caps security deposits at 1.5 times the cost of your monthly rent — good news for upfront affordability. When you take into account the low state income taxes, the metro area becomes very enticing.

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Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, Nevada

Median monthly rent: $1,457 

With a high vacancy rate and strong new construction pipeline, Vegas renters have more options, which means lower prices across the board. Not only that, but the state has some pretty solid protections in place for renters, and Nevada law requires landlords to give at least 30 days' notice for most rent increases.

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas

Median monthly rent: $1,445 

The DFW area boasts one of the highest rates of apartment construction in the U.S., increasing supply and giving renters more leverage. No state income tax is another win for budget-conscious residents.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Median monthly rent: $1,431 

Pittsburgh remains one of the most affordable major cities in the Northeast. The city also has strong tenant advocacy groups, and the state caps security deposits at 2 times the monthly rent. Plus, there are many outdoor activities and parks outside the city.

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Kansas City, Missouri-Kansas

Median monthly rent: $1,352 

Rent growth has been slow here, and Kansas City has recently expanded legal aid and tenant protections. Plus, the city's central location allows easy access to jobs across both states.

Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, Texas

Median monthly rent: $1,359 

Houston's abundant housing stock helps keep rents affordable. Like DFW, the lack of state income tax makes this an even more appealing location to settle down. Due to lax regulations, Texas is generally regarded as a landlord-friendly state.

St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois

Median monthly rent: $1,316 

This city in the Show-Me State has a lot more going for it than just low rental prices. St. Louis landlords must register rental properties and pass inspections, which can improve housing quality. The metro also has rental assistance programs and strong nonprofit support for tenants.

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Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Michigan

Median monthly rent: $1,313 

Detroit has rebounded with revitalized neighborhoods and low rents relative to income. Michigan also prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report housing violations, which means you'll get to enjoy both a low cost of living and a sense of security if you ever do have to file a complaint against your landlord.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Median monthly rent: $1,326 

Cincinnati has a lower cost of living than many peer cities and a steadily improving rental stock. New tenant protection laws have recently been enacted to force landlords to cover the cost of moving tenants to new housing if their properties are unsafe, which means renters won't have to worry about finding new digs if something goes wrong with their current rental.

Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, Indiana

Median monthly rent: $1,280 

Indy's rental market remains competitive but stable, and renters here benefit from a growing inventory and below-average rent-to-income ratios. That means you can find a nice place to live all while keeping a bit more cash in your wallet at the end of every month.

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Memphis, Tennessee

Median monthly rent: $1,177 

Memphis is one of the most affordable large metros in the country. Local efforts have focused on housing equity, including free legal support for renters facing eviction. Combine that with the cultural history of the region, and you may find yourself in love with this southern city.

Columbus, Ohio

Median monthly rent: $1,184

Columbus continues to build multi-family units rapidly, helping to meet demand. A new tenant bill of rights was passed in 2023, and even more ordinances were added in 2024 to help strengthen legal protections for renters, making this affordable city an appealing one for those who aren't ready to buy.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Median monthly rent: $1,021 

OKC has the lowest median rent on the list. Its fast-growing population and relatively lax regulations make it easier to find short-term or flexible lease options. However, the state doesn't have specific anti-retaliation protections codified into law, so landlords do still wield a lot of power.

Bottom line

Housing costs are one of the biggest factors when looking for a new city to live in. The less you pay in rent, the lower your financial stress. With more cash at the end of each month, you can continue building a strong financial portfolio.

While much has been written in the media about skyrocketing rents in some parts of the country, plenty of large metro areas are still affordable. So, don't be too disheartened by the high rents in the San Francisco Bay Area or New York City.

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