Where Is Rent Cheapest in the United States?

Toledo, Ohio, is the cheapest city to rent in the U.S., with 42.6% of apartment listings priced under $1,000 per month, according to August 2026 Zillow research. For income-adjusted affordability, meaning the percentage of your income spent on rent, 3 cities in very different regions tie for the most affordable: Austin, Texas; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Salt Lake City, Utah. In each of these cities, renters spend only 18.3% of their income on rent, whereas the typical U.S. renter spends about 26.6%.

Many renters face affordability pressure. Rent prices rose 2.3% annually in July 2026 — the fastest pace in more than a year, according to Zillow’s Observed Rent Index. The good news is, finding an affordably priced rental is possible. Below are the most affordable cities for renters, according to Zillow data as of August 2026.

Rent price vs. affordability: What does 'cheap' mean?

Cheap rent can mean different things to different renters. Rent costs often vary widely based on where you live, how much money you make, and your lifestyle. At Zillow, we define “cheap rent” based on rent price and affordability. Here’s the difference:

• Rent price: The percentage of rental listings in an area that are priced at less than $1,000 per month. A city with a higher percentage of listings priced under $1,000 is “cheaper” than a city with a lower percentage.
• Affordability: An income-adjusted measurement to determine how affordable listings are relative to the area’s median household income. We follow the 30% rule, a common financial guideline that recommends you spend no more than 30% of your income on housing. The lower the share of income spent on rent, the “cheaper” the area.

Cities with low rent (under $1,000/month)

For low rent prices, Toledo ranks number 1. Among the top 100 largest U.S. metro areas, Toledo has 42.6% of rental listings priced less than $1,000 a month. Wichita comes in a close second with 38.8%. Most of the metros ranking in the top 10 are smaller and located in between the coasts, especially in the South and Midwest. 

Source: Zillow research, August 2026

Cheapest cities to rent (relative to local income)

When using an income-adjusted measurement to determine which cities are the cheapest, 3 cities share the number 1 spot among the top 100 largest metros in the U.S. Renters in Austin, Raleigh, and Salt Lake City spend only 18.3% of their annual income on rent. Most renters across America spend an average of 28.8%, so renting in one of these top 10 cities is more affordable by comparison.

Source: Zillow research, August 2026

Is it cheaper to rent a room, a house, or an apartment?

As you might expect, renting a room is cheaper than renting an apartment or house — often by a long shot. Zillow data from October 2025 showed that the median rent for a room was less than $1,000 in 86 of the country’s 100 largest metros. Case in point: When comparing the median rent for an apartment versus a room for rent in Chicago, renting a room costs less than half the price ($950 for a room versus $2,014 for an apartment). 

When renting a room, you often sacrifice privacy and space for affordability. But it can also bring locations you wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford into your price range. 

• Consider renting a room when: Your budget is tight and you need the cheapest option, or if you really want to live in an area you would not be able to afford otherwise
• Consider renting an apartment when: You can afford to pay more for privacy and space to yourself 
• Consider renting a house when: Money is no object, a yard is a high priority, or you and your family need room to spread out

What to consider beyond rent price

If you’re moving to a new city in search of an affordable rental, there’s more to think about than just rent. You should also consider the area’s job market, cost of living, transportation, and overall quality of life. A city with cheap rent but no jobs or very high taxes can end up costing you more in the long run. Rent matters, of course, but so do these factors:

• Job market: The ability to find a job and earn enough income matters at least as much as the cost of rent. It won’t matter how cheap rent is if you have no income coming in. 
• Cost of living: Everyday necessities, like groceries and utilities, can add up each month. Use Zillow’s Rent Affordability Calculator to set your budget based on your income, other monthly expenses, and savings goals.
• Transportation: Walkable cities and those with reliable, affordable public transport are often more economical than areas where you need your own car to get anywhere, considering the cost of car payments, gas, and insurance. But high rent costs may cancel out any savings, so factor that into your budget.
• Quality of life: Proximity to amenities, shopping, parks, entertainment, and family can be part of what makes a place feel like home. Climate and geography matter, too. If warm weather or mountain views make you happy, they may be worth paying higher rent for.

Frequently asked questions