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These Are the 50 Best Cities for Renters

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Buying a home seems to be all the rage during the pandemic, as interest rates have bottomed out and made the mortgage loan process a lot easier to swallow. Still, many Americans aren't jumping to buy. After all, the coronavirus pandemic put millions of people out of work, and others fear a future layoff -- not to mention the sky-high listing prices that are causing some experts to warn of an impending crash.

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Read: The Salary You Need To Afford Rent in Every State

But while no one likes to pay rent, the cost of that burden differs greatly depending on where you live, a GOBankingRates study shows. GOBankingRates compiled data on the median rental price for different sizes and types of living spaces across the 150 largest cities in America, then scored each and combined the averages to reveal the cheapest places to rent in the country. Before uprooting to a new city, it's financially savvy to find out if you can afford the rent.

Last updated: Aug. 17, 2021

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

50. Aurora, Illinois

  • Population: 200,660

  • Median rent (overall): $1,193

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $910

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,182

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Shutterstock.com

49. Corpus Christi, Texas

  • Population: 324,692

  • Median rent (overall): $1,108

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $913

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,123

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SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto
SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

48. Chattanooga, Tennessee

  • Population: 177,365

  • Median rent (overall): $1,074

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $882

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,054

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

47. Grand Rapids, Michigan

  • Population: 197,081

  • Median rent (overall): $1,106

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $872

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,116

lavin photography / Getty Images/iStockphoto
lavin photography / Getty Images/iStockphoto

46. St. Paul, Minnesota

  • Population: 302,760

  • Median rent (overall): $1,037

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $899

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,133

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

45. Tucson, Arizona

  • Population: 539,216

  • Median rent (overall): $1,100

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $834

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,107

Compare: The Average Rent in Every State

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Shutterstock.com

44. Kansas City, Missouri

  • Population: 481,417

  • Median rent (overall): $1,068

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $919

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,078

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

43. Houston, Texas

  • Population: 2,295,982

  • Median rent (overall): $1,031

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $906

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,078

f11photo / Shutterstock.com
f11photo / Shutterstock.com

42. San Antonio, Texas

  • Population: 1,486,521

  • Median rent (overall): $1,044

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $898

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,090

f11photo / Shutterstock.com
f11photo / Shutterstock.com

41. New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Population: 389,648

  • Median rent (overall): $1,049

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $917

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,071

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

40. Greensboro, North Carolina

  • Population: 288,719

  • Median rent (overall): $1,014

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $864

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,002

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Shutterstock.com

39. Huntsville, Alabama

  • Population: 193,663

  • Median rent (overall): $1,059

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $842

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,005

traveler1116 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
traveler1116 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

38. Rochester, New York

  • Population: 207,778

  • Median rent (overall): $1,013

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $842

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,076

LPETTET / Getty Images/iStockphoto
LPETTET / Getty Images/iStockphoto

37. Bakersfield, California

  • Population: 375,699

  • Median rent (overall): $1,071

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $756

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $985

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Kendall Rittenour / Shutterstock.com
Kendall Rittenour / Shutterstock.com

36. Spokane, Washington

  • Population: 214,804

  • Median rent (overall): $1,022

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $765

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,051

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SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto
SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

35. Birmingham, Alabama

  • Population: 212,021

  • Median rent (overall): $962

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $808

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $952

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

34. Albuquerque, New Mexico

  • Population: 559,202

  • Median rent (overall): $1,019

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $813

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,001

Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images
Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images

33. Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Population: 857,637

  • Median rent (overall): $996

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $831

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,014

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Shutterstock.com

32. St. Louis, Missouri

  • Population: 311,273

  • Median rent (overall): $941

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $827

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,066

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

31. Omaha, Nebraska

  • Population: 465,112

  • Median rent (overall): $977

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $810

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,035

Long_Strange_Trip_01 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Long_Strange_Trip_01 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

30. Columbus, Ohio

  • Population: 867,628

  • Median rent (overall): $1,007

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $810

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $1,020

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Shutterstock.com

29. Memphis, Tennessee

  • Population: 653,248

  • Median rent (overall): $1,004

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $829

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $967

ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com
ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com

28. Columbus, Georgia

  • Population: 196,670

  • Median rent (overall): $995

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $801

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $924

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traveler1116 / Getty Images

27. Fayetteville, North Carolina

  • Population: 209,867

  • Median rent (overall): $1,027

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $777

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $914

graphiknation / Getty Images/iStockphoto
graphiknation / Getty Images/iStockphoto

26. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

  • Population: 225,362

  • Median rent (overall): $973

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $813

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $950

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Shutterstock.com

25. Louisville, Kentucky

  • Population: 617,032

  • Median rent (overall): $966

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $783

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $985

Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

24. Knoxville, Tennessee

  • Population: 185,429

  • Median rent (overall): $987

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $775

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $971

Henryk Sadura / Shutterstock.com
Henryk Sadura / Shutterstock.com

23. Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky

  • Population: 318,734

  • Median rent (overall): $982

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $781

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $955

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

22. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Population: 303,587

  • Median rent (overall): $926

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $761

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $962

ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com
ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com

21. Augusta, Georgia

  • Population: 196,807

  • Median rent (overall): $997

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $792

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $932

Options: Best Places To Live On a $50,000 Salary in Every State

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

20. Montgomery, Alabama

  • Population: 200,156

  • Median rent (overall): $992

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $763

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $941

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

19. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

  • Population: 637,284

  • Median rent (overall): $933

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $735

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $916

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Steven Frame / Shutterstock.com
Steven Frame / Shutterstock.com

18. Sioux Falls, South Dakota

  • Population: 174,151

  • Median rent (overall): $886

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $740

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $901

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Shutterstock.com

17. Lincoln, Nebraska

  • Population: 280,849

  • Median rent (overall): $913

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $743

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $932

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

16. Tulsa, Oklahoma

  • Population: 402,223

  • Median rent (overall): $918

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $722

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $930

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

15. El Paso, Texas

  • Population: 680,354

  • Median rent (overall): $942

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $740

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $904

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

14. Mobile, Alabama

  • Population: 191,485

  • Median rent (overall): $929

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $695

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $888

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

13. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

  • Population: 596,886

  • Median rent (overall): $914

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $747

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $918

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

12. Lubbock, Texas

  • Population: 250,415

  • Median rent (overall): $890

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $694

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $856

Affordable Living: 35 Cities Where You Can Afford To Live On Less Than $50,000

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

11. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

  • Population: 242,125

  • Median rent (overall): $883

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $702

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $856

pabradyphoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto
pabradyphoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

10. Des Moines, Iowa

  • Population: 215,932

  • Median rent (overall): $856

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $720

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $893

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com
DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

9. Detroit, Michigan

  • Population: 677,155

  • Median rent (overall): $916

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $671

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $895

dreamyguy1 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
dreamyguy1 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

8. Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Population: 300,357

  • Median rent (overall): $806

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $691

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $878

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

7. Little Rock, Arkansas

  • Population: 198,135

  • Median rent (overall): $822

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $702

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $834

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Shutterstock.com

6. Shreveport, Louisiana

  • Population: 193,785

  • Median rent (overall): $819

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $694

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $827

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Shutterstock.com

5. Fort Wayne, Indiana

  • Population: 264,052

  • Median rent (overall): $805

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $647

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $815

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

4. Amarillo, Texas

  • Population: 198,773

  • Median rent (overall): $802

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $625

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $807

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

3. Akron, Ohio

  • Population: 198,314

  • Median rent (overall): $792

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $603

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $800

Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images/iStockphoto

2. Toledo, Ohio

  • Population: 278,193

  • Median rent (overall): $786

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $596

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $789

Kenneth Sponsler / Shutterstock.com
Kenneth Sponsler / Shutterstock.com

1. Cleveland, Ohio

  • Population: 387,398

  • Median rent (overall): $773

  • Median rent (1-bedroom): $611

  • Median rent (2-bedroom): $779

More From GOBankingRates

Joel Anderson and Gabrielle Olya contributed to the reporting for this article.

To find the 50 best cities for renters, GOBankingRates looked at the 150 largest cities in the U.S. according to the Census Bureau's 2018 American Community Survey and used Apartment List's October, 2020 rental data to find each city's (1) overall estimated typical rent price, (2) estimated rent for a studio, (3) estimated rent for a 1-bedroom, (4) estimated rent for a 2-bedroom, and (5) estimated rent for a 3-bedroom. GOBankingRates then scored all cities with available data against each other on factors (1-5) and ranked them based on their combined score. No. 1 is the overall best city for renters in terms of affordability. All data was collected on and up to date as of Nov. 4, 2020.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: These Are the 50 Best Cities for Renters