When deciding on a place to live, one of the main factors is cost. For renters who want to keep their costs low, identifying the states with the lowest rent can help narrow down the choices. In this guide from Rentler, we’re taking a data-based look at the most affordable states to live in.
Whether you’re planning a cross-country move or just considering options, this ranked list will help you decide where to look.
How We Ranked States by Lowest Rent
No two rental properties are the same, and monthly rents vary by unit type and location, so how did we decide where states rank on this list? Our ranking uses the median monthly rent across all unit types using the most recent Census Bureau ACS data. We then cross-referenced those findings with current RentCafe and Apartment List reports.
First of all, let’s talk about what this list is not. This guide measures the lowest rent statewide. Rents can vary significantly by individual cities within a state. Also, this list is focused on rental properties and doesn’t account for mortgage rates, although there is a lot of correlation between home prices and rent.
Finally, the prices in question are rent-only, not considering costs like utilities, taxes, and other living expenses.
With all that in mind, let’s get right into our ranked list of states with the lowest rent.
West Virginia
West Virginia is the leading state for low rent prices by far. Median monthly rents fall into the $700-$850 range.
Charleston and Morgantown are two of the most balanced cities in terms of rent and amenities. Typical 1-bedroom apartments rent for $1,000 or less in these cities.
However, West Virginia has its tradeoffs for low monthly rent. Part of the reason rents are so low is that West Virginia is made up of mostly rural areas. As a result, urban job markets are limited. Some counties have also been seeing population decline in recent years.
Arkansas
Arkansas is another top contender for low rent prices, with median rents of $800-$900 statewide. Some of the most popular areas of Arkansas to rent a home in are the capital city of Little Rock, as well as Fayetteville and Bentonville. Bentonville, in particular, has seen rapid growth.
Monthly rent for 1-bedroom apartments ranges from $600-1,000 across most of Arkansas. However, it also experiences severe weather seasons, with intense storms peaking in late winter and early spring. There are also fewer large-city amenities throughout the state.
Mississippi
Typical median rent figures in Mississippi are around $800-$950, with Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport being some of the most popular cities for renters. In most Mississippi cities, you can find a cheap apartment for rent between $800 and $1000. The most expensive areas are college towns like Oxford and suburbs like Brandon, where rents for 1-bedrooms can be as high as $1,300.
While Mississippi is a low-cost state on average in terms of rent, it also has a lower median income than most states, and the job market generally has slower growth.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has both affordable rent and growing job markets in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas, making it an attractive place to rent for young professionals entering the workforce. OKC and Tulsa are the most balanced areas to live in for rent prices compared to the amenities offered.
1-bedroom rent prices in Oklahoma typically range from $850-$950. The biggest tradeoff of renting in Oklahoma is the risk of tornadoes. Most areas of the state also have a smaller scale feel than comparable metro areas in the Sun Belt.
Kentucky
Kentucky is not only located in a convenient Central US location, but it also has some of the lowest rent figures in the country. Louisville and Lexington offer a decent balance of city life and lower rents than similarly sized cities elsewhere.
Since Kentucky has larger metro areas and remote rural towns, average rents for 1-bedroom homes range from $850-$1,300. Outside of Louisville, however, there are fewer big-city amenities. Kentucky also offers limited job opportunities in the tech sector.
Alabama
Alabama offers affordable rent prices across both rural and metro areas. Birmingham, Mobile, and Huntsville are the largest metro areas in the state. Huntsville, in particular has a booming aerospace industry, as the home of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
Prices for Alabama 1-bedroom rentals are fairly consistent, around the $900-$1,200 range on average. The state’s lower altitude and its position in the Southeast mean the climate tends to be hot and humid. School systems in Alabama are also of mixed quality, which can be a dealbreaker for renters with young children.
Indiana
Indiana has a growing job market and cheap rooms for rent. The biggest metro areas to rent in are Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Bloomington.
Typical 1-bedroom prices in Indiana average $1,130/month. For renters in the manufacturing industry, the state’s highest ratio of manufacturing sector jobs is a big plus. However, the industrial economy exposure might be a drawback for renters in other industries.
Iowa
Iowa has one of the more stable economies of any state in the US, which also means rent figures tend to be on the lower side. Des Moines and Cedar Rapids are popular locations for renters.
Rents in Iowa for 1-bedroom units run from $750 to $1,100, depending on the area of the state. The state does have some of the harshest winters in the country as well, so renters who hate the cold may want to steer clear.
Kansas
Kansas is a popular rental market for its low rent prices and strong outdoor recreation access. Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City (the KS-side part of the city) are the biggest metro areas.
1-bedroom rent ranges average between $800-$1,200/month. Outside of major metro areas, however, the state tends to lack job diversity.
South Dakota
In addition to South Dakota’s low rent prices, residents don’t pay state income tax, which creates a strong incentive for renters to move there. There is also a burgeoning tech industry in the metro area of Sioux Falls. Rapid City also offers close access to attractions like scenic drives, presidential monuments, and breathtaking landscapes.
Rent prices for 1-bedroom units in rural areas of South Dakota may be as low as $600, while more expensive areas can be up to $1,250. With the beautiful landscapes and low rent comes a harsh Northwest winter, and even the biggest metro areas have a sparse population.
Finding Cheap Apartments for Rent in These States
If any of the most affordable states to live in seem like good options, your next step is to start looking at rentals. To find a cheap apartment to rent, Rentler’s search function allows you to tailor your results to your exact needs. First, filter your search by your target state. Then, you can set your maximum monthly rent to find the perfect home.
There are a few areas in any town where you can usually find cheap apartments for rent:
- Near colleges and universities
- 15-20 minutes outside of downtown
- In revitalizing districts
You might also try to find older buildings, which usually have lower rent prices for the amount of space you get (think pre-2000s construction). Try Rentler’s apartment search to see what rents look like in different states.
Finding Cheap Rooms for Rent vs. Whole Apartments
If budget is your main concern, and you don’t need a whole lot of space, renting a single room is an economical option. You can often find cheap rooms for rent around $300-$600/month vs $700-$1,200/month for a whole unit.
Try searching on boards like university bulletins, Rentler room-rental filters, and roommate-matching sites. However, you also have to be okay with the tradeoffs of renting a single room (shared kitchen/bath, less privacy, roommate compatibility).
Before signing a lease, always meet the homeowner/roommate in person and make sure it’s a good fit.
Trade-offs to Consider Beyond Rent
Rent is usually one of the biggest living expenses, but it isn’t the only one. You also need to budget for:
- Utilities
- Income/property taxes
- Transportation in low-density states
- Groceries
- Furnishing your apartment
- Healthcare access
Lower-rent states tend to have lower median wages as well, so make sure to research the depth of the job market in your field. Renters in many of these states also have to contend with higher commuting costs due to the spread-out geography.
Try to couch all of these factors into your budget projection, going beyond just comparing rents.
Tips for Moving to a Lower-Rent State
Before you uproot your entire life and move to a new state, go through a checklist to make sure it’s a good fit:
- Visit first: Don’t commit to a state you’ve never visited. Quality of life is more important than low rent prices.
- Research: Look into the neighborhoods in your target city, as rent prices and even safety can vary from block to block.
- Assess job outlook: Confirm the depth of the job market in your field before relocating.
- Budget: Take into account your moving costs and try to have enough savings for a three-month emergency fund.
Already considering a few places? Start your Rentler search in any of these low-rent states to see what apartments you can find for rent.
Frequently Asked Questions About States with the Lowest Rent
What state has the absolute lowest average rent?
West Virginia has the lowest average monthly rent of any state in the US, with median rent prices in the mid-800s. Arkansas and Mississippi are close runners-up for low rent prices.
Are there states where you can rent for under $700?
In the current rental market, it’s rare to find an entire rental unit for under $700/month, but it’s not impossible. Look for 1-bedroom apartments in low-rent states like West Virginia, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
Why is rent so much cheaper in some states?
Rent prices are the result of a wide variety of economic factors like housing demand, job market, population density, and development regulations. The size of metro areas within a state also often plays a role in the average rental prices statewide.
How does state rent compare to cost of living overall?
Rent is only one component of the total cost of living. You also need to budget for state-specific factors like median wages, utilities, transportation costs, groceries, and taxes.
Where can I find cheap rooms for rent under $500?
To find cheap rooms for rent under $500/month, look in areas where demand is usually lower, and check roommate-match sites for open rooms.
What’s the cheapest big city to rent in?
Some of the largest metro areas with low median rents include Oklahoma City, OK, Charleston, WV, and Wichita, KS.
