If you are thinking about moving to a big city and you are hoping to rent, brace yourself — you might need to earn over $100,000 just to live comfortably. According to new data from Zillow, the cost of renting in the U.S. has shot up to the point where eight major metro areas now require a six-figure income just to stay under the recommended 30% rent-to-income ratio.
That’s a massive jump from just a few years ago. Back in 2020, an income of $60,000 could get you a typical rental. Now, for many of the country’s most popular cities, that same amount barely covers the basics.
Why is $100,000 the new benchmark for renters?
The rule of thumb is that your rent should not exceed 30% of your monthly income. So, for someone making $100,000, that comes out to about $2,500 a month in rent.
But in many cities, average rent prices are well above that.
“Today renters need to make six figures to afford the typical rental in eight major metropolitan areas — twice as many as before the pandemic,” says Kara Ng, senior economist at Zillow. That increase is not just a statistic — it is affecting your wallet, your ability to save, and your overall lifestyle.
What cities require a six-figure salary just to rent?
Here are the eight U.S. cities where Zillow says you need to earn at least $100,000 annually to comfortably afford the average rent:
- New York City, NY
- Income needed: $135,000
- Average rent: $2,950
The Big Apple is not just famous for Broadway and bagels — it is also home to the highest rent burden in the country. According to Rachel Fee of the New York Housing Conference, “The cost of housing is skyrocketing and [renters] just can’t keep up.”
- Income needed: $135,000
- Boston, MA
- Income needed: $127,000
Boston ranks second, driven by strong job growth but limited housing supply. If you are eyeing a brownstone near Fenway, prepare your bank account.
- Income needed: $127,000
- San Francisco, CA
- Income needed: $124,000
Even after some rent drops during the pandemic, the tech-heavy Bay Area is still out of reach for most middle-income earners.
- Income needed: $124,000
- San Jose, CA
- Income needed: $121,000
Right next to San Francisco, San Jose’s housing costs are pushed up by Silicon Valley salaries. You may need to work in tech just to afford living near it.
- Income needed: $121,000
- San Diego, CA
- Income needed: $110,000
Sunny skies and ocean views come with a steep price tag. San Diego remains one of the most competitive rental markets in Southern California.
- Income needed: $110,000
- Los Angeles, CA
- Income needed: $109,000
Whether you dream of Hollywood or the beach, LA’s rental market demands a six-figure paycheck to stay afloat.
- Income needed: $109,000
- Miami, FL
- Income needed: $109,000
Miami has seen some of the fastest rent increases post-pandemic. High demand, rising insurance costs, and limited inventory have driven prices through the roof.
- Income needed: $109,000
- Riverside, CA
- Income needed: $101,000
Once seen as a more affordable alternative to LA, even Riverside has now crossed into six-figure territory for renters.
- Income needed: $101,000
What does this mean for renters earning less?
If you are not earning $100,000 (and let’s be real — most people are not), renting in these cities could leave you stretched thin. That could mean cutting back on essentials like food, transportation, or savings.
“These numbers back up what every renter has been feeling,” says Fee. And the pressure is not just in luxury neighborhoods — it is happening everywhere.
Where can you live comfortably without six figures?
Thankfully, there are still cities where the rent is reasonable. Places like Buffalo, NY, and Oklahoma City, OK, only require incomes around $55,000 to afford a typical rental. So if you are open to relocating, you can still find affordable options without sacrificing comfort.
