No matter where one lives, or how high (or low) their income is, housing and rent is typically the most expensive outlay in a monthly budget. It’s also the most crucial, as we all need a roof over our heads.
Explore More: The Cheapest Place To Buy a Home in Every State
Read Next: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires — and How You Can, Too
However, as Zillow reported, rent and housing has increased far faster than American incomes have. Specifically, it was noted that an American renter in 2025 would need to save 5% of their overall income for 8.7 years in order to pay a 10% down payment for the average home; in 2019, it would have only taken 7.4 years.
With that in mind, there are many in the U.S. likely on the lookout for cities in which rent is still affordably in line with their income. Thankfully, Zillow also provided a list of such cities. GOBankingRates has taken from that list the locations with rent/housing costs less than $1,500 monthly, ranked from most expensive to least expensive.
25. Jackson, Mississippi
- Median rent: $1,486
- Share of affordable apartments: 73.7%
For You: 6 Hidden Costs of Homeownership That Can Wreck Your Budget
Check Out: 5 Cities Where You Can Retire for $2,000 a Month and Enjoy All Four Seasons
24. Memphis, Tennessee
- Median rent: $1,485
- Share of affordable apartments: 83.7%
Discover More: How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region
23. Augusta, Georgia
- Median rent: $1,469
- Share of affordable apartments: 86.9%
22. Pittsburgh
- Median rent: $1,464
- Share of affordable apartments: 78.9%
21. San Antonio
- Median rent: $1,459
- Share of affordable apartments: 88.6%
20. Milwaukee
- Median rent: $1,451
- Share of affordable apartments: 79.9%
Consider This: The Money You Need To Save Monthly To Retire Comfortably in Every State
19. Greensboro, North Carolina
- Median rent: $1,437
- Share of affordable apartments: 85.7%
18. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- Median rent: $1,435
- Share of affordable apartments: 93.6%
17. Cleveland
- Median rent: $1,419
- Share of affordable apartments: 80.8%
16. Omaha, Nebraska
- Median rent: $1,409
- Share of affordable apartments: 92.4%
Be Aware: How Much House Does $300K, $400K and $500K Buy You in Every State?
15. St. Louis
- Median rent: $1,407
- Share of affordable apartments: 89.7%
14. Birmingham, Alabama
- Median rent: $1,396
- Share of affordable apartments: 80.6%
13. Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Median rent: $1,388
- Share of affordable apartments: 86.1%
12. Buffalo, New York
- Median rent: $1,382
- Share of affordable apartments: 79.9%
Find Out: The Living Wage a Family of Four Needs in All 50 States
11. Oklahoma City
- Median rent: $1,372
- Share of affordable apartments: 88.3%
10. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Median rent: $1,364
- Share of affordable apartments: 88.6%
9. Dayton, Ohio
- Median rent: $1,360
- Share of affordable apartments: 82.3%
8. Louisville, Kentucky
- Median rent: $1,358
- Share of affordable apartments: 89.9%
Read More: Check Out the Median Salary of Americans Your Age in Every State
7. Akron, Ohio
- Median rent: $1,299
- Share of affordable apartments: 80.4%
6. Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Median rent: $1,297
- Share of affordable apartments: 80.8%
5. Des Moines, Iowa
- Median rent: $1,278
- Share of affordable apartments: 94.3%
4. Little Rock, Arkansas
- Median rent: $1,195
- Share of affordable apartments: 90.5%
Trending Now: The Safest and Richest US Cities To Live in 2025
3. Wichita, Kansas
- Median rent: $1,187
- Share of affordable apartments: 90.6%
2. Toledo, Ohio
- Median rent: $1,173
- Share of affordable apartments: 77.7%
1. McAllen, Texas
- Median rent: $1,146
- Share of affordable apartments: 92.1%
Photo disclaimer: Imagery is representational and does not necessarily depict exact location listed.
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Top 25 US Cities Where Rent Is Still Under $1,500 a Month
