Study Reveals Most Affordable U.S. Cities for Renters in 2026
A recent study by WalletHub has identified the most affordable cities for renters in the United States as of 2026. The study analyzed 182 U.S. cities, including the 150 most populous cities and at least two of the most populous in each state, to determine the percentage of income residents spend on rent. The analysis utilized data from the U.S. Census Bureau on median annual gross rent and median household income. According to the study, the average percentage of income spent on rent in the 31 most affordable cities is about 18.5%, which is significantly lower than the 23.46% average across all measured cities. The study highlights that in the most expensive cities, such as Miami, Detroit, and Newark, renters can spend up to 33.8% of their income on rent. Maggie Rong Hu, an assistant professor of real estate at Baruch College, emphasized that rent should ideally not exceed 30% of median income to ensure renters can afford housing without compromising other essential expenses. 
