It is no secret that millennials and many Americans are forgoing homeownership in favor of renting—but whether that saves money or wastes it largely depends on how long a household intends to stay there.
Since 1981 the government has defined people spending more than 30% of their income on housing as “cost-burdened,” while those spending more than 50% of their income are “severely cost-burdened.”
Stacker examined 2021 Census Bureau data, released in 2022, to find how many renters in each state spend more than half their income on housing. Aside from housing, Americans incur necessary monthly expenses such as groceries, utilities, child care, insurance, and more. In areas where housing is expensive, or the median household income is low, it becomes harder for families to juggle the rising cost of living.
Keep reading to discover which states lead the pack in households paying more than half of their income to pay rent.
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Sdgjake // Wikimedia Commons
#51. South Dakota
– Households that rent: 109,257
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 15.11%
— Households making less than $10K: 64.70%
— Households making $10K-20K: 45.79%
— Households making $20K-35K: 10.72%
— Households making $35K-50K: 3.35%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.20%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.0%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.0%
Cubcake76 // Wikimedia Commons
#50. North Dakota
– Households that rent: 118,962
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 16.85%
— Households making less than $10K: 68.29%
— Households making $10K-20K: 50.77%
— Households making $20K-35K: 15.80%
— Households making $35K-50K: 1.45%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.05%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.0%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.50%
Robstutz // Wikimedia Commons
#49. Montana
– Households that rent: 137,088
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 17.42%
— Households making less than $10K: 60.13%
— Households making $10K-20K: 56.86%
— Households making $20K-35K: 17.64%
— Households making $35K-50K: 2.57%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.95%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.48%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.41%
Tamanoeconomico // Wikimedia Commons
#48. Idaho
– Households that rent: 195,010
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 18.16%
— Households making less than $10K: 63.77%
— Households making $10K-20K: 54.94%
— Households making $20K-35K: 27.38%
— Households making $35K-50K: 7.36%
— Households making $50K-75K: 0.69%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.49%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.0%
Pixabay
#47. Maine
– Households that rent: 149,395
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 18.35%
— Households making less than $10K: 49.88%
— Households making $10K-20K: 38.06%
— Households making $20K-35K: 26.66%
— Households making $35K-50K: 6.29%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.06%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.76%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.0%
Richard Cavalleri // Shutterstock
#46. New Hampshire
– Households that rent: 150,801
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 18.54%
— Households making less than $10K: 60.86%
— Households making $10K-20K: 57.68%
— Households making $20K-35K: 36.60%
— Households making $35K-50K: 13.79%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.15%
— Households making $75K-100K: 1.33%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.63%
Brandonrush // Wikimedia Commons
#45. Arkansas
– Households that rent: 390,637
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 19.19%
— Households making less than $10K: 53.46%
— Households making $10K-20K: 53.20%
— Households making $20K-35K: 15.25%
— Households making $35K-50K: 2.12%
— Households making $50K-75K: 0.57%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.32%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.12%
Tricia Simpson // Wikimedia Commons
#44. Utah
– Households that rent: 333,437
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 19.73%
— Households making less than $10K: 62.98%
— Households making $10K-20K: 70.55%
— Households making $20K-35K: 36.67%
— Households making $35K-50K: 11.27%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.28%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.42%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.20%
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#43. Kansas
– Households that rent: 382,286
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 19.74%
— Households making less than $10K: 66.83%
— Households making $10K-20K: 55.17%
— Households making $20K-35K: 23.38%
— Households making $35K-50K: 2.24%
— Households making $50K-75K: 0.52%
— Households making $75K-100K: 1.01%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.17%
Jeff the quiet // Wikimedia Commons
#42. Wisconsin
– Households that rent: 781,395
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 19.82%
— Households making less than $10K: 67.0%
— Households making $10K-20K: 59.05%
— Households making $20K-35K: 22.63%
— Households making $35K-50K: 3.88%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.03%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.50%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.15%
MARELBU // Wikimedia Commons
#41. Oklahoma
– Households that rent: 534,130
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 20.13%
— Households making less than $10K: 61.29%
— Households making $10K-20K: 55.91%
— Households making $20K-35K: 14.90%
— Households making $35K-50K: 3.08%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.70%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.11%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.24%
Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
#40. Indiana
– Households that rent: 774,845
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 20.28%
— Households making less than $10K: 61.64%
— Households making $10K-20K: 58.52%
— Households making $20K-35K: 19.57%
— Households making $35K-50K: 3.60%
— Households making $50K-75K: 0.72%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.41%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.88%
Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons
#39. Ohio
– Households that rent: 1,586,436
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 20.34%
— Households making less than $10K: 55.92%
— Households making $10K-20K: 55.45%
— Households making $20K-35K: 18.64%
— Households making $35K-50K: 4.16%
— Households making $50K-75K: 0.81%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.52%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.54%
Pixabay
#38. Kentucky
– Households that rent: 559,686
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 20.39%
— Households making less than $10K: 56.75%
— Households making $10K-20K: 49.81%
— Households making $20K-35K: 17.51%
— Households making $35K-50K: 1.92%
— Households making $50K-75K: 0.22%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.21%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.15%
Boscophotos // Wikimedia Commons
#37. Iowa
– Households that rent: 365,356
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 20.44%
— Households making less than $10K: 66.53%
— Households making $10K-20K: 54.13%
— Households making $20K-35K: 18.55%
— Households making $35K-50K: 3.57%
— Households making $50K-75K: 0.72%
— Households making $75K-100K: 1.83%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.59%
Wonderlane // Flickr
#36. Alaska
– Households that rent: 90,166
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 20.45%
— Households making less than $10K: 59.77%
— Households making $10K-20K: 59.93%
— Households making $20K-35K: 41.85%
— Households making $35K-50K: 17.15%
— Households making $50K-75K: 0.51%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.0%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.0%
AbeEzekowitz // Wikimedia Commons
#35. Missouri
– Households that rent: 770,131
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 20.54%
— Households making less than $10K: 64.77%
— Households making $10K-20K: 55.35%
— Households making $20K-35K: 19.32%
— Households making $35K-50K: 4.12%
— Households making $50K-75K: 0.99%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.12%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.05%
Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons
#34. Nebraska
– Households that rent: 253,400
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 20.77%
— Households making less than $10K: 69.28%
— Households making $10K-20K: 52.42%
— Households making $20K-35K: 23.23%
— Households making $35K-50K: 6.35%
— Households making $50K-75K: 2.04%
— Households making $75K-100K: 1.29%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.16%
U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development // Flickr
#33. Tennessee
– Households that rent: 901,349
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 21.22%
— Households making less than $10K: 58.06%
— Households making $10K-20K: 54.50%
— Households making $20K-35K: 27.46%
— Households making $35K-50K: 7.53%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.13%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.55%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.0%
Jeffrey Beal // Wikimedia Commons
#32. Wyoming
– Households that rent: 69,516
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 21.71%
— Households making less than $10K: 78.19%
— Households making $10K-20K: 45.75%
— Households making $20K-35K: 23.78%
— Households making $35K-50K: 0.30%
— Households making $50K-75K: 2.36%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.0%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.0%
Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons
#31. North Carolina
– Households that rent: 1,385,421
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 21.98%
— Households making less than $10K: 60.03%
— Households making $10K-20K: 61.19%
— Households making $20K-35K: 30.98%
— Households making $35K-50K: 5.40%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.28%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.59%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.27%
Pixabay
#30. Washington D.C.
– Households that rent: 186,629
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 22.23%
— Households making less than $10K: 56.33%
— Households making $10K-20K: 65.57%
— Households making $20K-35K: 50.76%
— Households making $35K-50K: 23.20%
— Households making $50K-75K: 9.24%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.44%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.41%
Payton Chung // Wikimedia Commons
#29. Minnesota
– Households that rent: 615,932
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 22.42%
— Households making less than $10K: 66.18%
— Households making $10K-20K: 57.73%
— Households making $20K-35K: 36.84%
— Households making $35K-50K: 10.44%
— Households making $50K-75K: 2.28%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.87%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.0%
Altairisfar // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Alabama
– Households that rent: 589,627
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 22.51%
— Households making less than $10K: 61.15%
— Households making $10K-20K: 50.97%
— Households making $20K-35K: 19.25%
— Households making $35K-50K: 4.34%
— Households making $50K-75K: 0.66%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.0%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.14%
Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Commons
#27. Washington
– Households that rent: 1,088,354
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 22.63%
— Households making less than $10K: 60.73%
— Households making $10K-20K: 67.92%
— Households making $20K-35K: 52.27%
— Households making $35K-50K: 20.33%
— Households making $50K-75K: 6.21%
— Households making $75K-100K: 1.91%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.42%
North Charleston // Flickr
#26. South Carolina
– Households that rent: 578,676
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 22.90%
— Households making less than $10K: 56.02%
— Households making $10K-20K: 60.32%
— Households making $20K-35K: 28.36%
— Households making $35K-50K: 5.69%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.33%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.98%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.14%
Shuvaev // Wikimedia Commons
#25. Pennsylvania
– Households that rent: 1,571,478
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 22.99%
— Households making less than $10K: 62.41%
— Households making $10K-20K: 57.59%
— Households making $20K-35K: 31.70%
— Households making $35K-50K: 7.79%
— Households making $50K-75K: 2.0%
— Households making $75K-100K: 1.23%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.46%
MARELBU // Wikimedia Commons
#24. New Mexico
– Households that rent: 254,299
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 23.04%
— Households making less than $10K: 60.92%
— Households making $10K-20K: 56.89%
— Households making $20K-35K: 23.09%
— Households making $35K-50K: 3.76%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.89%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.50%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.72%
Generic1139 // Wikimedia Commons
#23. West Virginia
– Households that rent: 179,396
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 23.10%
— Households making less than $10K: 55.69%
— Households making $10K-20K: 46.89%
— Households making $20K-35K: 16.44%
— Households making $35K-50K: 1.95%
— Households making $50K-75K: 0.0%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.0%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.0%
Colin J Bird // Wikimedia Commons
#22. Illinois
– Households that rent: 1,620,987
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 23.40%
— Households making less than $10K: 56.42%
— Households making $10K-20K: 62.93%
— Households making $20K-35K: 37.18%
— Households making $35K-50K: 9.48%
— Households making $50K-75K: 2.65%
— Households making $75K-100K: 1.24%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.53%
Morgan Riley // Wikimedia Commons
#21. Virginia
– Households that rent: 1,079,291
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 23.44%
— Households making less than $10K: 62.99%
— Households making $10K-20K: 67.39%
— Households making $20K-35K: 43.01%
— Households making $35K-50K: 17.07%
— Households making $50K-75K: 4.59%
— Households making $75K-100K: 1.91%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.53%
Jerrye & Roy Klotz // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Mississippi
– Households that rent: 342,543
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 23.58%
— Households making less than $10K: 58.95%
— Households making $10K-20K: 51.79%
— Households making $20K-35K: 19.0%
— Households making $35K-50K: 1.11%
— Households making $50K-75K: 0.43%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.0%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.23%
Pixabay
#19. Texas
– Households that rent: 4,035,245
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 23.71%
— Households making less than $10K: 62.94%
— Households making $10K-20K: 73.08%
— Households making $20K-35K: 40.48%
— Households making $35K-50K: 9.87%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.48%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.65%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.17%
Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Rhode Island
– Households that rent: 161,721
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 23.78%
— Households making less than $10K: 68.33%
— Households making $10K-20K: 41.83%
— Households making $20K-35K: 41.21%
— Households making $35K-50K: 9.60%
— Households making $50K-75K: 3.65%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.80%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.0%
Finetooth // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Arizona
– Households that rent: 912,033
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 23.85%
— Households making less than $10K: 61.44%
— Households making $10K-20K: 73.48%
— Households making $20K-35K: 45.05%
— Households making $35K-50K: 15.22%
— Households making $50K-75K: 3.04%
— Households making $75K-100K: 1.42%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.59%
Marcia Todd // Flickr
#16. Georgia
– Households that rent: 1,358,983
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 24.12%
— Households making less than $10K: 61.63%
— Households making $10K-20K: 64.78%
— Households making $20K-35K: 40.66%
— Households making $35K-50K: 10.17%
— Households making $50K-75K: 2.09%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.58%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.12%
Elisa.rolle // Wikimedia Commons
#15. Michigan
– Households that rent: 1,085,451
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 24.20%
— Households making less than $10K: 64.42%
— Households making $10K-20K: 59.74%
— Households making $20K-35K: 28.06%
— Households making $35K-50K: 5.71%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.21%
— Households making $75K-100K: 1.43%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.35%
IIP Photo Archive // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Massachusetts
– Households that rent: 1,016,582
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 24.64%
— Households making less than $10K: 57.14%
— Households making $10K-20K: 50.95%
— Households making $20K-35K: 52.22%
— Households making $35K-50K: 26.26%
— Households making $50K-75K: 7.81%
— Households making $75K-100K: 2.15%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.66%
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Colorado
– Households that rent: 766,809
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 24.90%
— Households making less than $10K: 62.55%
— Households making $10K-20K: 70.31%
— Households making $20K-35K: 58.21%
— Households making $35K-50K: 23.70%
— Households making $50K-75K: 5.49%
— Households making $75K-100K: 1.86%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.39%
Mfwills // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Vermont
– Households that rent: 73,872
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 24.98%
— Households making less than $10K: 70.71%
— Households making $10K-20K: 61.46%
— Households making $20K-35K: 35.64%
— Households making $35K-50K: 10.79%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.06%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.96%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.68%
Visitor7 // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Oregon
– Households that rent: 616,569
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 25.25%
— Households making less than $10K: 63.62%
— Households making $10K-20K: 71.35%
— Households making $20K-35K: 52.01%
— Households making $35K-50K: 13.16%
— Households making $50K-75K: 3.0%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.47%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.22%
Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Maryland
– Households that rent: 757,989
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 25.51%
— Households making less than $10K: 58.61%
— Households making $10K-20K: 70.58%
— Households making $20K-35K: 59.78%
— Households making $35K-50K: 23.71%
— Households making $50K-75K: 6.07%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.84%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.56%
Woodward, Ashbel, House // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Connecticut
– Households that rent: 476,797
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 25.77%
— Households making less than $10K: 62.79%
— Households making $10K-20K: 60.01%
— Households making $20K-35K: 45.57%
— Households making $35K-50K: 17.76%
— Households making $50K-75K: 3.95%
— Households making $75K-100K: 2.22%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.97%
Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Delaware
– Households that rent: 108,545
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 26.0%
— Households making less than $10K: 66.86%
— Households making $10K-20K: 71.49%
— Households making $20K-35K: 45.21%
— Households making $35K-50K: 14.72%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.93%
— Households making $75K-100K: 2.12%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.08%
Pixabay
#7. New Jersey
– Households that rent: 1,244,971
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 26.28%
— Households making less than $10K: 61.30%
— Households making $10K-20K: 64.27%
— Households making $20K-35K: 61.40%
— Households making $35K-50K: 25.88%
— Households making $50K-75K: 5.58%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.98%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.34%
Infrogmation of New Orleans // Flickr
#6. Louisiana
– Households that rent: 583,014
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 26.29%
— Households making less than $10K: 58.60%
— Households making $10K-20K: 58.04%
— Households making $20K-35K: 24.50%
— Households making $35K-50K: 5.04%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.02%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.31%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.0%
Luke H. Gordon // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Nevada
– Households that rent: 486,832
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 26.62%
— Households making less than $10K: 61.06%
— Households making $10K-20K: 81.69%
— Households making $20K-35K: 49.79%
— Households making $35K-50K: 15.36%
— Households making $50K-75K: 1.49%
— Households making $75K-100K: 0.14%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.12%
Pixabay
#4. California
– Households that rent: 5,926,357
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 27.57%
— Households making less than $10K: 62.16%
— Households making $10K-20K: 70.51%
— Households making $20K-35K: 64.87%
— Households making $35K-50K: 37.35%
— Households making $50K-75K: 13.60%
— Households making $75K-100K: 3.69%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.96%
Rtd2101 // Wikimedia Commons
#3. New York
– Households that rent: 3,413,629
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 27.66%
— Households making less than $10K: 66.86%
— Households making $10K-20K: 63.84%
— Households making $20K-35K: 48.10%
— Households making $35K-50K: 24.39%
— Households making $50K-75K: 8.42%
— Households making $75K-100K: 3.57%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.86%
karamysh // Shutterstock
#2. Hawaii
– Households that rent: 183,427
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 28.31%
— Households making less than $10K: 57.42%
— Households making $10K-20K: 67.16%
— Households making $20K-35K: 58.43%
— Households making $35K-50K: 42.56%
— Households making $50K-75K: 21.71%
— Households making $75K-100K: 6.97%
— Households making $100K or more: 1.30%
Pixabay
#1. Florida
– Households that rent: 2,793,000
– Households that pay 50% or more on rent: 28.60%
— Households making less than $10K: 60.25%
— Households making $10K-20K: 76.78%
— Households making $20K-35K: 55.25%
— Households making $35K-50K: 18.50%
— Households making $50K-75K: 4.21%
— Households making $75K-100K: 1.06%
— Households making $100K or more: 0.67%
This story was written by Stacker and has been re-published pursuant to a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.
