If you’re renting, you know how much you need to pay each month. But have you ever considered how much you need to earn per hour to afford rent?
As you consider ways to help pay for your rent, the data shows how much you'll need to afford even a small home.
Here's how much you'll need to earn per hour to rent a two-bedroom home in your state.
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About the numbers
![Man holding money and a house](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/14/showing_money_and_paper_house.jpg)
A National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) report examined how much you would need to earn per hour to afford a two-bedroom home in each state. They call this the Housing Wage.
The "wage needed to afford rent" estimates a full-time worker's hourly wage to rent a two-bedroom home at the fair-market rate (FMR). They also assumed that the wage-earner would spend 30% of their income on rent, the "accepted standard of affordability."
To get the "wage needed to afford rent" number for each state, the NLIHC multiplied the FMR by 12 to get the yearly cost and then calculated 30% of that amount.
For example, the average FMR for a two-bedroom rental in the U.S. is $1,486.25. Multiplied by 12 months gets us $17,835 in rent for the year.
If we only want to spend 30% of our earnings on rent, we'll need to multiply the annual rent by .3 to reach the total yearly income needed to afford a two-bedroom rental of $59,450 ($17,835 / .3 = $59,450).
To get the "wage needed to afford rent," we simply divide the total annual income needed to afford a two-bedroom rental in each state by 52 (weeks per year) and then by 40 (hours per work week.
That gives us $28.58 as the average "wage needed to afford rent" in the U.S. ($59,450 / 52 = $1,143; $1,143 / 40 = $28.58).
North Dakota: #51
![happy father with two sons](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/happy_father_with_two_sons.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $956/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $18.38/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 101
West Virginia: #50
![brothers playing video game together](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/brothers_playing_video_game_together.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $960/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $18.46/hour
Minimum wage: $8.75
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 84
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Iowa: #49
![good-looking man](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/good-looking_man.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $981/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $18.86/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 104
Arkansas: #48
![father with little daughter on hands](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/father_with_little_daughter_on_hands.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $987/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $18.97/hour
Minimum wage: $11.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 69
South Dakota: #47
![older married couple talking](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/older_married_couple_talking.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,024/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $19.68/hour
Minimum wage: $11.20
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 70
Oklahoma: #46
![woman sitting on wheelchair studying](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/woman_sitting_on_wheelchair_studying.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,035/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $19.91/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 110
Mississippi: #45
![happy family playing with puppy](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/happy_family_playing_with_puppy.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,042/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $20.03/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 111
Nebraska: #44
![two lovers moving in](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/two_lovers_moving_in.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,075/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $20.32/hour
Minimum wage: $12.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 68
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Kansas: #43
![adult with disability holding mobile](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/adult_with_disability_holding_mobile.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,060/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $20.38/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 112
Montana: #42
![young asian male tech user](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/young_asian_male_tech_user.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,078/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $20.73/hour
Minimum wage: $10.30
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 81
Ohio: #41
![A senior couple](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/06/28/senior-couple-looking-into-blueprints-of-their-new-home.jpeg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,082/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $20.81/hour
Minimum wage: $10.45
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 80
Missouri: #40
![black woman with green diet](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/black_woman_with_green_diet.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,083/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $20.83/hour
Minimum wage: $12.30
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 68
Alabama: #39
![asian girl lying on sofa](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/asian_girl_lying_on_sofa.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,086/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $20.88/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 115
Kentucky: #38
![senior couple holding opened door](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/senior_couple_holding_opened_door.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,090/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $20.97/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 116
Wyoming: #37
![diverse couple having fun](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/diverse_couple_having_fun.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,091/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $20.98/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 116
Wisconsin: #36
![mature man washing dishes](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/mature_man_washing_dishes.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,129/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $21.71/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 120
New Mexico: #35
![mature couple using a laptop](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/mature_couple_using_a_laptop.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,134/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $21.81/hour
Minimum wage: $12.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 73
Indiana: #34
![women sitting on the sofa](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/women_sitting_on_the_sofa.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,148/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $22.07/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 122
Louisiana: #33
![woman watching tv](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/woman_watching_tv.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,150/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $22.11/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 122
Idaho: #32
![A middle-aged man, wearing glasses, sitting on a chair on the balcony and enjoying the sunny weather.](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/06/26/middle-aged-man-enjoying-sunny-weather-on-the-balcony.jpeg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,199/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $23.06/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 127
Michigan: #31
![woman with magazine sitting](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/woman_with_magazine_sitting_1.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,204/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $23.16/hour
Minimum wage: $10.33
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 90
South Carolina: #30
![businessman is enjoying his morning coffee](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/businessman_is_enjoying_his_morning_coffee.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,252/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $24.08/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 133
Tennessee: #29
![couple read books on sofa bed](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/couple_read_books_on_sofa_bed.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,264/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $24.31/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 134
North Carolina: #28
![happy couple in kitchen](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/happy_couple_in_kitchen.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $$1,311/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $25.21/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 139
Pennsylvania: #27
![woman relaxing in cozy chair](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/woman_relaxing_in_cozy_chair.jpg)
Average rent for 2-bedroom home: $1,365/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $26.26/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 145
Maine: #26
![cheerful guy inviting people](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/cheerful_guy_inviting_people.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,372/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $26.38/hour
Minimum wage: $14.15
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 75
Utah: #25
![couple in new home](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/couple_in_new_home_naf7PG4.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,398/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $26.89/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 148
Minnesota: #24
![woman using laptop](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/woman_using_laptop.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,418/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $27.27/hour
Minimum wage: $8.85 to $10.85
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 101
Texas: #23
![keys from realtor](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/keys_from_realtor.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,450/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $27.88/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 154
Alaska: #22
![father washing dishes](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/father_washing_dishes.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,488/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $28.61/hour
Minimum wage: $11.73
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 98
Illinois: #21
![couple in love back home](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/couple_in_new_home_Ew0tzUh.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,498/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $28.81/hour
Minimum wage: $14.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 82
Georgia: #20
![adult woman with coffee cup](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/adult_woman_with_coffee_cup.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,287/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $24.75/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 160
Vermont: #19
![guys having fun while making salad together](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/05/25/guys_having_fun_while_making_salad_together.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,530/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $29.42/hour
Minimum wage: $13.67
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 86
Virginia: #18
![young couple eating noodles together](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/young_couple_eating_noodles_together.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,573/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $30.25/hour
Minimum wage: $12.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 101
Delaware: #17
![father and daughter singing](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/father_and_daughter_singing.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,594/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $30.65/hour
Minimum wage: $13.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 83
Nevada: #16
![smiling woman working on laptop](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/smiling_woman_working_on_laptop.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,605/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $30.87/hour
Minimum wage: $12.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 103
Oregon: #15
![young woman sitting on grey sofa](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/young_woman_sitting_on_grey_sofa.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,682/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $32.34/hour
Minimum wage: $15.45
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 88
Arizona: #14
![girl baking in kitchen](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/girl_baking_in_kitchen.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,700/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $32.70/hour
Minimum wage: $14.35
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 91
New Hampshire: #13
![young man relaxing on sofa](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/young_man_relaxing_on_sofa.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,706/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $32.81/hour
Minimum wage: $7.25
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 181
Rhode Island: #12
![family relaxing on couch](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/family_relaxing_on_couch.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,726/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $33.20/hour
Minimum wage: $14.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 95
Connecticut: #11
![young married couple sitting on sofa](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/young_married_couple_sitting_on_sofa.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,796/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $34.54/hour
Minimum wage: $15.69
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 88
Florida: #10
![teen guy wearing headphones](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/teen_guy_wearing_headphones.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,833/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $35.24/hour
Minimum wage: $13.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 117
Maryland: #9
![young couple celebrate moving](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/young_couple_celebrate_moving.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,909/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $36.70/hour
Minimum wage: $15.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 98
Colorado: #8
![smiling young woman using smartphone](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/smiling_young_woman_using_smartphone.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,948/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $37.47/hour
Minimum wage: $14.42
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 104
New Jersey: #7
![happy family on sofa](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/happy_family_on_sofa.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $1,980/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $38.08/hour
Minimum wage: $15.13
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 101
District of Columbia: #6
![happy roommates moving home](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/happy_roommates_moving_home.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $2,045/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $39.33/hour
Minimum wage: $17.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 90
Washington: #5
![woman packing her belongings](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/woman_packing_her_belongings.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $2,097/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $40.32/hour
Minimum wage: $16.28
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 99
Hawaii: #4
![couple in new home](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/couple_in_new_home.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $2,319/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $44.60/hour
Minimum wage: $14.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 127
New York: #3
![happy senior old grandfather](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/happy_senior_old_grandfather.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $2,328/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $44.77/hour
Minimum wage: $15.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 119
Massachusetts: #2
![black woman watching tv](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/black_woman_watching_tv.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $2,332/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $44.84/hour
Minimum wage: $15.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 120
California: #1
![funny man in bathing suit](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/funny_man_in_bathing_suit.jpg)
Average rent for a two-bedroom home: $2,464/month
Wage needed to afford rent: $47.38/hour
Minimum wage: $16.00
Weekly hours need to work at minimum wage: 118
Bottom line
![family admiring their new apartment](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/family_admiring_their_new_apartment.jpg)
The cost of living in each U.S. state depends on many factors, including demand, economic opportunities, and overall quality of life.
Some states have very affordable and more accessible options than others. Look local to get a more accurate view of what's happening in your state.
If you're ready for that move, check out some ways to get ahead financially so you can buy a home instead of renting an apartment.
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