In 49 states, along with Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, the average renter working full time doesn't earn enough to afford HUD's definition of a moderately priced rental apartment. North Dakota, which has enjoyed an oil and gas related boom for the last several years, is the only state that breaks this mold, according to the 2021 NLIHC report.
- Jobs at average renter's wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom: 1.3 - Monthly rent affordable at average renter's wage: $1,015 - Most expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Boston-Cambridge-Quincy HMFA - Least expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Coos County New Hampshire is the 12th least affordable state for renters.
- Jobs at average renter's wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom: 1.3 - Monthly rent affordable at average renter's wage: $1,069 - Most expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Monroe County - Least expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Levy County Florida, which has seen an influx of immigration from other states in recent years, is the 11th least affordable state for renters in 2022.
- Jobs at average renter's wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom: 1.3 - Monthly rent affordable at average renter's wage: $1,072 - Most expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro - Least expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Baker County Renters living in Oregon's priciest metro area (Portland) need to pull in at least six figures annually to afford the average two-bedroom rent.
- Jobs at average renter's wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom: 1.3 - Monthly rent affordable at average renter's wage: $1,108 - Most expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Stamford-Norwalk - Least expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Windham County Connecticut ranks the ninth least affordable state for renters.
- Jobs at average renter's wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom: 1.3 - Monthly rent affordable at average renter's wage: $1,119 - Most expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Washington-Arlington-Alexandria - Least expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Cumberland and Allegany County The average renter earns $22 an hour in Maryland, meaning they have to work more than 40 hours a week to keep costs on a moderately priced two-bedroom rental under 30% of their income.
- Jobs at average renter's wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom: 1.3 - Monthly rent affordable at average renter's wage: $1,211 - Most expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Jersey City - Least expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Burlington County, and Camden County The least expensive rents in New Jersey—the seventh least affordable state for renters
- Jobs at average renter's wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom: 1.3 - Monthly rent affordable at average renter's wage: $1,580 - Most expensive area in the state (per housing wage): San Francisco - Least expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Bakersfield California ranks #6 in terms of states that are most difficult for renters to afford housing.
- Jobs at average renter's wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom: 1.4 - Monthly rent affordable at average renter's wage: $815 - Most expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Portland - Least expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Piscataquis County In Maine, a renter needs to work at least a part-time job on top of their regular 40-hour workweek in order to comfortably afford a two-bedroom apartment.
- Jobs at average renter's wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom: 1.4 - Monthly rent affordable at average renter's wage: $856 - Most expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Burlington-South Burlington - Least expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Essex County Vermont is the fourth-least affordable state to rent in, but it's particularly pricey if you're renting in the Burlington metro area.
- Jobs at average renter's wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom: 1.4 - Monthly rent affordable at average renter's wage: $889 - Most expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Newport-Middleton-Portsmouth - Least expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Providence-Fall River The smallest state by land mass, Rhode Island, is the third-least affordable state to rent in the U.S. With a $17 an hour average wage
- Jobs at average renter's wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom: 1.4 - Monthly rent affordable at average renter's wage: $1,431 - Most expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Boston-Cambridge-Quincy - Least expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Western Worcester County Massachusetts is the second-least affordable state to rent.
- Jobs at average renter's wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom: 2 - Monthly rent affordable at average renter's wage: $1,071 - Most expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Urban Honolulu - Least expensive area in the state (per housing wage): Hawaii County The Aloha State ranks the single least affordable state when taking into account the average wages earned by renters.