Most Affordable Cities
Ranked by lowest rent-to-median-household-income ratio (top 50).
Current most affordable city: Kansas City, MO
This page ranks U.S. cities by affordability using rent-to-income ratio and cost-of-living data.
#1 Most Affordable
Kansas City, MO
Top-ranked city at a glance
Rent / income6.4%
COL index86.4
Avg rent (1BR)$916
Median income$170,794
- Rent takes a relatively small share of typical local household income.
- Cost-of-living stays competitive versus many peer cities.
- Lower rent pressure creates more monthly room for essentials and savings.
Browse the full ranking below.
Showing 50 cities
| # | City | State | 🏠 Rent / income | 📈 COLI | 🏠 Avg rent 1BR | 💵 Median income | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kansas City | MO | 6.4%Excellent | 86.4 | $916 | $170,794 | |
| #2 | Birmingham | AL | 7.7%Excellent | 84.6 | $1,227 | $191,128 | |
| #3 | Milton | MA | 8.6%Good | 100 | $1,278 | $178,053 | |
| #4 | Jacksonville | FL | 9.4%Good | 91.2 | $437 | $55,862 | |
| #5 | New Lenox | IL | 9.5%Good | 100 | $1,057 | $133,071 | |
| #6 | Leawood | KS | 9.7%Good | 100 | $1,490 | $184,976 | |
| #7 | Severna Park | MD | 9.8%Good | 100 | $1,374 | $168,091 | |
| #8 | Upper Arlington | OH | 10.0%Good | 100 | $1,258 | $150,993 | |
| #9 | Glen Ellyn | IL | 10.1%Good | 100 | $1,127 | $133,346 | |
| #10 | Wildwood | MO | 10.2%Good | 100 | $1,339 | $157,750 | |
| #11 | Gillette | WY | 10.4%Good | 100 | $784 | $90,699 | |
| #12 | Wilmette | IL | 10.4%Good | 100 | $1,673 | $192,300 | |
| #13 | Zionsville | IN | 10.5%Good | 100 | $1,390 | $159,126 | |
| #14 | Dublin | OH | 10.5%Good | 100 | $1,357 | $155,282 | |
| #15 | Westfield | NJ | 10.6%Good | 100 | $1,879 | $212,700 | |
| #16 | Urbandale | IA | 10.6%Good | 100 | $1,000 | $113,086 | |
| #17 | Madison | AL | 10.7%Good | 100 | $1,169 | $131,436 | |
| #18 | Oakville | MO | 10.7%Good | 100 | $921 | $103,125 | |
| #19 | Reading | MA | 10.7%Good | 100 | $1,464 | $163,725 | |
| #20 | Batavia | IL | 10.7%Good | 100 | $1,067 | $119,167 | |
| #21 | Fulshear | TX | 10.8%Good | 100 | $1,606 | $178,398 | |
| #22 | Prairieville | LA | 10.8%Good | 100 | $1,041 | $115,610 | |
| #23 | Ridgewood | NJ | 11.0%Good | 100 | $1,989 | $217,250 | |
| #24 | Potomac | MD | 11.2%Good | 100 | $2,224 | $239,205 | |
| #25 | Park Ridge | IL | 11.2%Good | 100 | $1,284 | $138,059 | |
| #26 | Wethersfield | CT | 11.2%Good | 100 | $1,108 | $118,523 | |
| #27 | Kirkwood | MO | 11.2%Good | 100 | $1,099 | $117,439 | |
| #28 | Kaysville | UT | 11.3%Good | 100 | $1,210 | $128,996 | |
| #29 | West Fargo | ND | 11.3%Good | 100 | $914 | $96,877 | |
| #30 | Muskego | WI | 11.3%Good | 100 | $1,098 | $116,361 | |
| #31 | Bettendorf | IA | 11.4%Good | 100 | $976 | $102,917 | |
| #32 | Marion | IA | 11.5%Good | 100 | $831 | $87,105 | |
| #33 | Vestavia Hills | AL | 11.5%Good | 100 | $1,237 | $129,171 | |
| #34 | Fort Mill | SC | 11.5%Good | 100 | $1,221 | $127,537 | |
| #35 | Eldersburg | MD | 11.5%Good | 100 | $1,407 | $146,598 | |
| #36 | North Ridgeville | OH | 11.6%Good | 100 | $907 | $94,234 | |
| #37 | Wentzville | MO | 11.6%Good | 100 | $1,074 | $111,409 | |
| #38 | Needham | MA | 11.6%Good | 100 | $2,050 | $212,241 | |
| #39 | Jefferson City | MO | 11.6%Good | 100 | $651 | $67,205 | |
| #40 | Wellesley | MA | 11.6%Good | 100 | $2,422 | $250,001 | |
| #41 | Bentonville | AR | 11.6%Good | 100 | $1,052 | $108,465 | |
| #42 | Avon | OH | 11.7%Good | 100 | $1,229 | $126,618 | |
| #43 | Ballwin | MO | 11.7%Good | 100 | $1,178 | $121,170 | |
| #44 | Prosper | TX | 11.7%Good | 100 | $1,829 | $187,603 | |
| #45 | Keller | TX | 11.7%Good | 100 | $1,687 | $172,654 | |
| #46 | Perrysburg | OH | 11.8%Good | 100 | $1,031 | $105,226 | |
| #47 | Mount Pleasant | WI | 11.8%Good | 100 | $888 | $90,189 | |
| #48 | Shawnee | KS | 11.8%Good | 100 | $1,048 | $106,312 | |
| #49 | Fishers | IN | 11.9%Good | 100 | $1,267 | $128,141 | |
| #50 | Chesterfield | MO | 11.9%Good | 100 | $1,320 | $133,380 |