The best (and worst) states for renters

The five best states for renters

A balance of affordable rent prices, strong tenant protection laws, abundant rental availability and high quality of life metrics earned the following states the top ranks in our analysis. Four of the top 5 states for renters are located in the Midwest; the other is in the Western U.S.

1. North Dakota

67.15 out of 100 points

Impressive affordability stats helped earn North Dakota the title of most renter-friendly state for the second year in a row. North Dakotans spend an average of just 23.8% of their income on rent, the lowest rate in the nation. Rent is affordable; the median rent of $930 a month in the Peace Garden State is sixth lowest in the country, and from 2022 to 2023, median rent increased by just 2.4%, the second-lowest rate in the U.S. Both stats contribute to North Dakota having the overall lowest cost of living in the U.S.

North Dakota also takes first rank in rental availability, sweeping the category. The state has the highest rental vacancy rate in the U.S., with almost 1 in 10 units open. And nearly 40% of renter-occupied structures in the state were built after 2000 — the highest in the nation by several percentage points and a significant leap higher than the national average (about 22%). The abundance of available, affordable rental units is no coincidence — in the last decade, North Dakota was a leader in creating new housing, increasing its housing stock by 17% between 2010 and 2020.

Key metrics:

• Median gross rent on two-bedroom: $934
• Percentage of renter-occupied units built after 2000: 39.4%
• Vacancy rate: 9.3%

2. Iowa

66.28 out of 100 points

Fellow Midwestern state Iowa earned the second-best score for renter friendliness. With low rent prices, slow rent increases and renters spending a relatively small portion of their income on rent each month, the Hawkeye State ranks fourth in affordability. However, Iowa shines even brighter when it comes to tenant protections: It’s one of just a handful of states where the law directly regulates the amount a landlord can charge as a fee for late rent, and where a landlord waives their right to evict over nonpayment of rent by accepting partial payment.

The roots of Iowa’s strong tenant protections go back to the 1970s, when a landmark Iowa Supreme Court ruling on the “warranty of habitability,” or the principle that a tenant’s obligation to pay rent is contingent upon the property’s habitability, led to the passing of major reforms to landlord-tenant law. A more recent ruling, however, fell on the side of landlords: In January 2025, the Iowa Supreme Court effectively ended the 30-day eviction notice policy that was put in place by the pandemic-era CARES Act. Now, landlords must only give three days' notice for eviction.

Key metrics:

• Median gross rent on two-bedroom: $949
• Percentage of renter-occupied units built after 2000: 21.3%
• Vacancy rate: 5.7%

3. Wyoming

61.81 out of 100 points

Wyoming offers renters an overall well-rounded experience, ranking third best, with high scores in affordability, rental availability and quality of life. It’s the only state in the West where the median rent is under $1,000. The state also boasts one of the smallest year-over-year rent increases in the region. At nearly 8% rental vacancy, Wyoming’s rental housing market has above-average wiggle room — especially compared with neighboring Idaho and Montana, where an influx of coastal transplants has catalyzed competitive rental markets and rapidly rising rents.

The Cowboy State also ranks high for quality of life — seventh overall, which is the highest rank among the eight best states for renters and the highest rank in that category of all Western states. In particular, Wyoming’s access to parks stands out: With multiple national parks, over 10 state parks and dozens more in various cities, the state gives residents better walking access to green spaces than any other in the U.S.

Key metrics:

• Median gross rent on two-bedroom: $968
• Percentage of renter-occupied units built after 2000: 20.9%
• Vacancy rate: 7.9%

4. Minnesota

58.23 out of 100 points

In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, a slightly tighter rental market (5.1% vacancy rate, about half a point below the national average) is outweighed by strong renter protections and quality of life, landing Minnesota a coveted spot in the best five states for renters. Minnesota ties with Iowa and Arizona for the second-best statewide renter protections in the nation. In fact, recent years have seen a spate of new tenant-friendly laws in Minnesota, like a measure that took effect Jan. 1, 2025, that prohibits landlords from retaliating against lessees who seek to form a tenants’ rights association.

Minnesota also scores in the top half of states for quality of life, offering below-average crime rates and the third-best park access in the country. The median rent is about $115 below the national average, and it’s climbing at a slower pace, with a modest 4.8% increase from 2022 to 2023.

Key metrics:

• Median gross rent on two-bedroom: $1,235
• Percentage of renter-occupied units built after 2000: 23.3%
• Vacancy rate: 5.1%

5. Wisconsin

58.23 out of 100 points

For the second year in a row, Wisconsin scores high for renter friendliness. (The state actually moved up four places in this year’s analysis, from ninth in 2024.) The Badger State balances an affordable rental market with high quality of life, ranking among the top 10 states in both categories. One standout metric: Wisconsinites spend an average of about 27% of their income on rent, the fourth-lowest rate in the country.

If you’re planning a move to Wisconsin, prepare for a slightly tighter rental market. Similar to nearby Minnesota, rental availability in the state is slightly below the national average. The rental housing stock is older than the other states ranked most renter-friendly overall; just under 1 in 5 renter-occupied structures in the state were built after 2000. But don’t let that deter you — several Wisconsin cities are ranked among the best places to live in the Midwest.

Key metrics:

• Median gross rent on two-bedroom: $1,045
• Percentage of renter-occupied units built after 2000: 19.9%
• Vacancy rate: 4.7%

The five worst states for renters

A combination of high or rapidly increasing rents, weak tenant protection laws, low rental availability and poor quality of life metrics earned the states below the designation of least renter-friendly. Four of the worst five states for renters are located in the South or West, with a lone New England state rounding out the list.

1. California

34.74 out of 100 points

A statewide affordability crisis, tight rental market and aging housing stock earned California the bottom rank for renter friendliness. At nearly $2,000 a month, median rent in California is the highest in the country. (California is also the state with the highest cost of living.) The state has a tighter-than-average rental market, with a rental vacancy rate of just over 4%. Further, despite adding millions of housing units in recent decades, just 1 in 6 renter-occupied structures in California was built after 2000.

If you’re considering whether to rent or buy in California, here’s one silver lining: The Golden State has solid renters’ laws, ranking fifth best for tenant protections in our analysis. In 2019, the state passed legislation that requires landlords to have a “just cause” to terminate tenancy. It’s now one of just six states that have such laws.

Key metrics:

• Median gross rent on two-bedroom: $1,956
• Percentage of renter-occupied units built after 2000: 16.7%
• Vacancy rate: 4.1%

2. Nevada

37.25 out of 100 points

Nevada, the second-worst state for renters, offers some of the poorest renter protections in the country. It’s one of 29 U.S. states that lack laws in three key areas that protect renters. (Further explained in our methodology.) Nevada also scores poorly across affordability and quality of life metrics, ranking 45th and 40th, respectively.

However, Nevada ranks fourth best for rental availability, even as the population grows in major cities like Las Vegas and Reno, as well as smaller ones like Mesquite. So, how is the Silver State keeping up with demand? Simple: By increasing supply. In the 2010s, Nevada increased its housing stock by more than 11%. The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t derail this progress, either. From 2020 to 2023, the state gained an estimated 62,315 units, or an increase of about 5% in just three years.

Key metrics:

• Median gross rent on two-bedroom: $1,489
• Percentage of renter-occupied units built after 2000: 34.4%
• Vacancy rate: 6.7%

3. Florida

37.29 out of 100 points

Like 49th-ranked Nevada, Florida calls into question the notion that rental affordability and availability always go hand in hand. In our analysis, Florida earned one of the lowest scores for rental affordability: The Sunshine State ranks 49th, or second worst overall, in the category. Median rent in the state is about 16% above the national rate, and Floridians are the most cost-burdened renters in the country, spending an average of 36% of their income on rent. Florida also lacks three of the key renters’ rights laws we compared; it’s tied for the bottom rank in the tenant protections category.

At the same time, Florida ranks high (fifth best) for rental availability, even as the state’s population continues to grow. The rental market is among the least competitive in the country, with the seventh-highest rental vacancy rate. And a significant chunk of the rental housing stock is relatively new: Almost 29% of renter-occupied structures were built after 2000, more than six points above the national average.

Key metrics:

• Median gross rent on two-bedroom: $1,564
• Percentage of renter-occupied units built after 2000: 28.9%
• Vacancy rate: 7.6%

4. Louisiana

37.77 out of 100 points

Louisiana is among the worst states in the U.S. for renters’ quality of life, with high crime rates and low access to parks. The state also struggles in key affordability metrics, like the average percentage of income residents spend on rent, which, at nearly 36%, is second worst in the country. Despite these challenges, Louisiana ranks among the 10 best states for rental availability thanks to a high rental vacancy rate (almost 8%).

However, if you’re burned out on renting in the Pelican State and ready for a change, you may want to consider buying a home instead of signing a new lease. In Alexandria, Louisiana, the monthly costs associated with owning a home are nearly 9% lower than the median rent, the biggest “homeownership discount” in the country.

Key metrics:

• Median gross rent on two-bedroom: $1,038
• Percentage of renter-occupied units built after 2000: 23.1%
• Vacancy rate: 7.8%

5. Massachusetts

38.07 out of 100 points

Massachusetts rounds out the worst five states for renters because of low affordability and availability. At nearly $1,700 a month, the median rent is the fourth highest in the nation, and Massachusetts tenants are the third most cost-burdened, spending more than 34% of their income on rent. The state ranks 49th (second worst) for rental availability, and only 1 in 7 renter-occupied structures was built after 2000. And with just 3.4% rental vacancy, Massachusetts is tied (with neighboring Vermont) for the tightest rental market in the country.

According to the state’s 2025 “Statewide Housing Needs Assessment,” an increase in seasonal second homes and vacation rental properties is one factor causing the housing availability crunch. However, there’s good reason the Bay State is such a hot destination for travelers and summer homes and ranked one of the best places to move in 2025: Massachusetts ranks third best for quality of life, with low crime rates and strong lifestyle metrics like walkability, park access and restaurant density.

Key metrics:

• Median gross rent on two-bedroom: $1,687
• Percentage of renter-occupied units built after 2000: 14.5%
• Vacancy rate: 3.4%

How each state compares in renter friendliness

From Southern hospitality to “Midwest Nice,” many states are known for their residents’ friendly dispositions. But are your state’s costs, laws and lifestyle actually “friendly” to renters? Or is the state you call home more hostile than hospitable for tenants?

Check out the table below for a deeper dive into the most renter-friendly states on the map. (Interestingly, six of the top 10 states are located in the Midwest, while no Southern states make the top 10.)

Expert advice for renters

Besides paying rent on time and taking reasonable care of their space, what can renters do to protect themselves from a poor renting experience?

“In most of the country, landlords have the state and local laws pretty much how they want them,” said Dunn, the director of litigation at NHLP. Legislators tend to view landlords, property managers and real estate agent associations as long-term constituents, while tenants tend to be viewed as transient residents who may not even be around for the next election, Dunn explained, so tenants “don’t have nearly the same kind of power when it comes to local and state government that landlords have.”

We spoke further with Dunn to gather expert advice on how to protect yourself as a tenant.

Carefully review your lease terms

Lease documents with large rental companies are now reaching or exceeding 50 pages. “It’s almost like a real estate closing,” Dunn said. While it may be tempting to skim, make your best effort at understanding the agreement before signing. Even if the terms aren’t negotiable, it’s better to be prepared than caught off guard by a particular policy detail.

Be wary of excessive upfront fees

Between application fees, administrative and processing fees and other charges, it’s become the norm to pay a significant amount of money before putting down the first month’s rent. In some situations, “just to get (to) the point where they’re presenting you with the lease, you’ve already paid hundreds of dollars,” Dunn said. While these fees may not be negotiable, try to find out what you can expect from the landlord or leasing company before starting the process.

Budget for additional monthly costs

The monthly rate listed for a rental unit is often lower than the final price you’ll owe each month. Keep an eye out for add-on costs for mandatory services like trash pickup and internet, as well as “perks” that are optional but necessary, like parking. “When you’re deciding whether a property’s in your price range or not, figure out all the fees that are going to be charged and factor all that in (to your budget),” Dunn said.

Look out for unfavorable lease addendums

Dunn noted that a recent trend from massive property management companies is replacing the traditional, refundable security deposit with monthly premiums that you won’t get back at the end of the lease term, aimed at squeezing more money out of renters who may not have the money for a security deposit upfront. “A lot of times, you do have a choice (with addendums like these),” Dunn said.

Engage in organizing for tenant protections

Dunn explained that states only lack these harmful power dynamics between landlords and tenants because they’ve been legally prohibited. “You don’t get that unless you have some organizing culture and build some grassroots tenant power,” he said. Get plugged in to tenants’ unions or housing advocacy groups that already exist in your city, or nationwide organizations like Renters Rising.

The bottom line

Overall, Dunn advised that renters be especially vigilant to protect themselves from harmful and abusive landlords, citing recent efforts to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and anti-consumer rulings by federal courts as evidence that hard-fought gains in tenant protections are under attack. “Don’t assume that, one, there’s some kind of protection on the books, and, two, that it’s going to be honored and that you’re going to be able to enforce violations,” he warned. It’s always a good idea to document the condition of the unit and all your interactions with your landlord or property management company, especially regarding maintenance and repairs.

Organizations and agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the National Low Income Housing Coalition and NHLP offer extensive resources to help people find affordable rentals and learn about tenant rights and protections in each state, as well as options for rental assistance.

Methodology

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team ranked all 50 states to determine the best places for renters, using a scoring system based on four weighted categories, each with individual metrics. Each state received a score for each metric, with the top-performing state earning the highest possible score and others receiving relative scores. We added the individual metrics to get category scores and then combined the category scores to calculate overall scores, which are out of a maximum of 100 points.

• Affordability (30 points): This category includes the median two-bedroom rent (13 points), the average percentage of income spent on rent (13) and the percentage increase in median rent between 2022 and 2023 (4). Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau.
• Quality of life (30 points): This category includes the violent crime rate (8 points), the property crime rate (8), Walk Score (6), the percentage of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a green space (5) and the number of restaurants per 100,000 people (3). Data is from NeighborhoodScout, WalkScore, NYU Langone Health and the U.S. Census Bureau.
• Tenant protections (25 points): This category evaluates whether a state has key laws in place to protect renters. Data is from the Legal Services Corporation. Specifically, we assessed whether the state:
  • Regulates evictions (7 points)
  • Requires landlords to provide just cause to terminate a tenancy at the end of a lease (7)
  • Prevents landlords from evicting tenants for nonpayment if they accept partial payment (6)
  • Limits the amount landlords can charge for late rent (5)
• Rental availability (15 points): This category includes the percentage of renter-occupied structures built after 2000 (7.5 points) and the rental vacancy rate (7.5). Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For questions about the data or if you'd like to set up an interview, please contact rsowell@consumeraffairs.com.

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