What state has the cheapest monthly rent?

West Virginia consistently ranks as the state with the cheapest rent in the U.S., followed closely by states like Mississippi, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Kentucky, with Oklahoma also often appearing on the most affordable lists, though prices can vary by data source and specific city. These states offer significantly lower average rental costs, sometimes with median prices below $900 for various apartment sizes.

What state has the lowest cost of rent?

The following states offer the most budget-friendly monthly average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: Oklahoma, $895; West Virginia, $914; Arkansas, $931; North Dakota, $935; Iowa, $955; Mississippi, $973; South Dakota, $974; Alabama, $1,040; Kentucky, $1,049; and Louisiana, $1,051.

Where am I supposed to live if I can't afford rent?

Explore Government Assistance Programs

Local state and federal programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provide housing that includes units with rents affordable to low-income tenants and vouchers that help offset rent payments at privately owned housing.

Can I afford $1000 rent making $20 an hour?

*“If you're earning $20 an hour, you might be wondering — can I really afford $1,000 rent? 🤔 You're bringing in about $3,200 before taxes, and experts suggest keeping rent near 30% of your income — that's roughly $960. So yes, $1,000 rent is doable… but it's tight with other bills.

Where is the cheapest place to rent in the USA?

The cheapest rent in America is typically found in smaller cities in the Midwest and South, with Wichita, Kansas, often topping lists for its extremely low median rent (around $680-$700 for a one-bedroom), followed closely by cities like Toledo, Ohio, and Akron, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas. States like Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Arkansas consistently offer the lowest average rents overall for one-bedroom apartments.
 

Top 5 Cheapest Places to Rent in the USA

Where is the nicest but cheapest place to live in the USA?

The cheapest, best places to live in the U.S. often involve the Midwest and South, with cities like Wichita (KS), Fort Wayne (IN), Dayton (OH), and Knoxville (TN) offering low housing costs and good value, while states like West Virginia, Mississippi, and Oklahoma consistently rank as most affordable overall. Key factors are low housing prices and a cost of living significantly below the national average, with some top contenders being Decatur (IL), Enid (OK), and Brownsville (TX), but "best" depends on balancing budget with lifestyle needs like jobs, culture, and amenities. 

Is $1200 a month good for rent?

The general rule says tenants should spend no more than 30 percent of gross income on monthly rent. If your gross monthly income is $4,000, that equals $1,200 for rent. While this is a helpful starting point, it is not a strict rule. Some renters with high debt payments should spend less than 30 percent.

What salary is $40 an hour?

$40 an hour is an annual salary of $83,200, calculated by multiplying $40 by 40 hours per week and then by 52 weeks in a year ($40 x 40 x 52). This breaks down to about $6,933 per month, $3,200 bi-weekly, and $1,600 weekly, before taxes and deductions. 

What can I do if I have no money for rent?

Call 211 or search for state and local emergency rental assistance programs. Your state or local agency may refer you to a community or nonprofit organization that can help if you do not qualify for a government program.

How to rent when you have no income?

Here's how to rent an apartment without proof of income

1. Maintain a Good Credit Score. ...
2. Consider a Lease Co-Signer or Guarantor. ...
3. Provide Bank Statements. ...
4. Look for Rentals by Owner. ...
5. Show Any Unusual Income.

What to do if you can't rent?

Depending on your situation, you may be able to:

1. get help with rent and other housing expenses - for example, Universal Credit.
2. get free legal advice from Civil Legal Advice (CLA)
3. get help from your council if you're at risk of homelessness.

What is cheaper than an apartment?

Manufactured homes can be more affordable than apartments when considering both upfront costs and ongoing expenses, especially if they're used mobile homes. The monthly costs of owning a manufactured home typically include mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

What is the #1 cheapest state to live in?

Below is a detailed breakdown of the ten most affordable states to live in 2025:

• Arkansas. Arkansas continues to be one of the most affordable states in the U.S., especially for those looking to buy property. ...
• Mississippi. ...
• Oklahoma. ...
• New Mexico. ...
• Missouri. ...
• Tennessee. ...
• Michigan. ...
• Texas.

What state is the cheapest to live in apartments?

West Virginia consistently ranks as the state with the cheapest apartments, often followed closely by Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Kentucky, with average rents significantly below the national average, especially in the Midwest and South, though prices are rising everywhere. 

What salary is considered middle class?

A middle-class salary varies significantly by location and household size, but generally, it's defined as two-thirds to double the median household income for your area, according to Pew Research Center and SmartAsset.com. Nationally, this might mean roughly $51,000 to $155,000 (in 2023/2024 dollars) for a typical household, but in expensive cities like San Jose, CA, the range can be $90,000 to over $270,000, while in lower-cost states like Mississippi, it's closer to $36,000 to $108,000. 

What is $100,000 a year hourly?

$100,000 a year is approximately $48.08 per hour, calculated by dividing the annual salary by 2,080 working hours (40 hours/week * 52 weeks/year), making it a solid hourly wage for a full-time role. 

Can you live off minimum wage?

Is minimum wage a liveable salary? It can be, depending on where you live, your expenses, and how much of a minimum wage you're earning. Many states, cities, and even companies offer a higher minimum wage than the federal wage of $7.25, making it easier for people to survive.

How much rent can I afford if I make $500 a week?

Spending around 30% of your income on rent is the golden rule when you're trying to figure out how much you can afford to pay. Spending 30% of your income on rent can help you reach a healthy balance between comfort and affordability.

How can I lower my rent costs?

Everyone's situation is unique, but chances are good that at least one of these strategies will help you negotiate lower rent.

• Compare prices and amenities of nearby units. ...
• Offer to extend your lease or end in a busy season. ...
• Pay several months in advance. ...
• Ask if there's anything you can do around the property.

Can I afford an apartment making $3,000 a month?

30 Percent Rule

Following the 30% rule, your monthly gross income to rent ratio should look something like this: You must make $10,000 per month to afford a $3,000 monthly rent. You must make $6,667 per month to afford a $2,000 monthly rent. You must make $5,000 per month to afford a $1,500 monthly rent.

What if I can't afford the rent?

Look into state and local organizations offering rental payment help. The National Multifamily Housing Council's list of resources for renters may also be of use. Call 211. Local nonprofits and religious organizations may offer rental assistance.

What is the minimum the government says you can live on?

A single person needs to earn £30,500 a year to reach a minimum acceptable standard of living in 2025. A couple with 2 children needs to earn £74,000 a year between them. April 2025 saw an inflation-based increase in benefits of 1.7%, pegged to the CPI rate in September 2024.

How to survive with low income?

My low income tips to survive and thrive

1. Never pay interest. ...
2. Buy second hand. ...
3. Make a budget. ...
4. Plan and shop ahead. ...
5. Shop out of season. ...
6. Save or use any bonus money intentionally. ...
7. Have a zero food budget. ...
8. Pay myself and my bills at the beginning of the month when I get paid.

What is a $1 dollar house in the US?

The One-Dollar Homeownership Program is an unprecedented partnership between NACA and cities and towns across the nation to create affordable homeownership for low to moderate income homebuyers in underserved communities. Community residents can purchase a vacant house or lot from the city for only one dollar.