Yahoo Movies People in These States Are Having the Hardest Time Paying Rent
Nearly 5% of Americans remain unemployed, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While that number is the lowest recorded since the onset of the pandemic, it's still significantly higher than it was before COVID-19. Many other Americans are now under-employed, with cuts to their hours or loss of business.
Check Out: What You Should Understand About Economic Inequality and Its Impact on You
Poll: How Do You Plan To Travel Over the Thanksgiving Holiday?
With so many people seeing their income reduced, it's no surprise that many are struggling to pay their rent. But people are struggling in some states worse than in others. To get a better sense of which places have the most vulnerable renters, GOBankingRates conducted a study to determine which locales have the worst combination of high rents and high unemployment. The study included the unemployment rate, the average rent on a one-bedroom apartment and the percentage of people who missed a rent or mortgage payment last month or have no expectation to be able to pay next month, per the U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey.
Take a closer look at which places appear to be having the toughest time paying rent, and which states have a better chance at bouncing back from the crisis.
Last updated: Oct. 22, 2021
51. Utah
December unemployment rate: 3.6%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $944
Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,281,207
Adults unable to pay for housing: 56,213
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 4.0%
Check Out: Almost Every State Is In Debt Thanks to COVID -- What Now?
50. North Dakota
December unemployment rate: 4.1%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $672
Total population (ages 18 and older): 561,016
Adults unable to pay for housing: 13,621
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 4.5%
Find Out: These Are the 50 Best Cities for Gen Z To Live Well on a Budget
49. Washington
December unemployment rate: 7.1%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,144
Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,890,357
Adults unable to pay for housing: 175,814
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 4.7%
From Houses to RVs: What To Buy During the Pandemic
48. New Hampshire
December unemployment rate: 4.0%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $994
Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,073,014
Adults unable to pay for housing: 30,765
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 4.7%
Be Aware: 50 Cities With the Most Overpriced Homes
47. Vermont
December unemployment rate: 3.1%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: N/A
Total population (ages 18 and older): 485,485
Adults unable to pay for housing: 14,789
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 5.0%
See: How Far a $100,000 Salary Goes in America’s 50 Largest Cities
46. Maine
December unemployment rate: 4.9%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $850
Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,065,620
Adults unable to pay for housing: 31,266
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 5.0%
Read: When Can You Get the COVID Vaccine?
45. Wisconsin
December unemployment rate: 5.5%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $763
Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,438,719
Adults unable to pay for housing: 134,528
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 5.1%
Check Out: In Less Than a Decade, You Won’t Be Able To Afford a Home in These Cities
44. Massachusetts
December unemployment rate: 7.4%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,133
Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,324,065
Adults unable to pay for housing: 191,678
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 5.8%
See: A Coronavirus Downturn Will Hurt These 50 Housing Markets the Most
43. Nebraska
December unemployment rate: 3.0%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $745
Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,418,191
Adults unable to pay for housing: 51,548
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 6.3%
Read More: 50 Cities With the Most Underpriced Homes
42. Oregon
December unemployment rate: 6.4%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $997
Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,302,727
Adults unable to pay for housing: 135,797
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 6.4%
Find Out: 35 Surprising Cities With Low Costs of Living
41. Hawaii
December unemployment rate: 9.3%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,418
Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,073,229
Adults unable to pay for housing: 45,709
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 6.7%
See: The Most Affordable Downtowns To Live In Across America
40. Montana
December unemployment rate: 4.4%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $728
Total population (ages 18 and older): 822,204
Adults unable to pay for housing: 34,894
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 6.9%
Read: The Best and Worst Cities To Own Investment Property
39. Idaho
December unemployment rate: 4.4%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $691
Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,343,198
Adults unable to pay for housing: 58,013
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 6.9%
Check Out: These Are the 50 Best Cities for Renters
38. Virginia
December unemployment rate: 4.9%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,171
Total population (ages 18 and older): 6,472,737
Adults unable to pay for housing: 280,797
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 7.2%
Keep Reading: Cities in Every State Where Your Paycheck Stretches the Furthest
37. Colorado
December unemployment rate: 8.4%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,155
Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,454,718
Adults unable to pay for housing: 209,615
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 7.2%
See: 30 Places in America That Are Getting Poorer
36. Missouri
December unemployment rate: 5.8%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $721
Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,617,880
Adults unable to pay for housing: 192,722
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 7.3%
Find Out: 50 Cities Where Homeowners Stay Rooted the Longest
35. New Jersey
December unemployment rate: 7.6%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,282
Total population (ages 18 and older): 6,776,822
Adults unable to pay for housing: 279,340
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 7.7%
Read: 30 Cities That Are Getting Too Expensive for Retirees
34. North Carolina
December unemployment rate: 6.2%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $868
Total population (ages 18 and older): 8,017,566
Adults unable to pay for housing: 355,974
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.2%
Find Out: Most Surprising Cities To Live In If You Want To Make a Lot of Money
33. Michigan
December unemployment rate: 7.5%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $761
Total population (ages 18 and older): 7,644,458
Adults unable to pay for housing: 326,514
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.2%
Options: Don’t Overlook These Hidden Gem Cities With a High Quality of Life
32. Indiana
December unemployment rate: 4.3%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $727
Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,015,550
Adults unable to pay for housing: 229,565
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.2%
See: Cheap Cities You’ll Love To Live In
31. Arkansas
December unemployment rate: 4.2%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $600
Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,246,527
Adults unable to pay for housing: 88,386
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.2%
Find Out: 17 Cities That Are Getting Richer
30. West Virginia
December unemployment rate: 6.3%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $596
Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,379,576
Adults unable to pay for housing: 52,691
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.3%
Good To Know: Best (and Worst) US Cities for Work-Life Balance
29. Iowa
December unemployment rate: 3.1%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $646
Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,342,905
Adults unable to pay for housing: 102,684
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.4%
See: 30 Cities Where You Can Thrive Without a Full-Time Job
28. Florida
December unemployment rate: 6.1%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,098
Total population (ages 18 and older): 17,085,385
Adults unable to pay for housing: 786,106
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.4%
See: The Cheapest Neighborhoods in the 50 Biggest US Cities
27. South Dakota
December unemployment rate: 3.0%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $627
Total population (ages 18 and older): 642,658
Adults unable to pay for housing: 30,166
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.5%
Find Out: Rising Sea Levels Are Hurting Home Values in These 40 Cities
26. Pennsylvania
December unemployment rate: 6.7%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $831
Total population (ages 18 and older): 9,776,154
Adults unable to pay for housing: 426,118
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.5%
Beware: Cities Where the Average Salary Isn’t Enough To Get By
25. Minnesota
December unemployment rate: 4.4%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $876
Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,241,624
Adults unable to pay for housing: 216,529
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.5%
Check Out: 50 Cities Where It’s Cheaper To Buy a Home Than Rent
24. Arizona
December unemployment rate: 7.5%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $965
Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,597,268
Adults unable to pay for housing: 288,107
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.5%
Check Out: Owning vs. Renting: What’s Better for Your Wallet?
23. Kentucky
December unemployment rate: 6.0%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $685
Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,344,102
Adults unable to pay for housing: 170,325
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.7%
See: 40 Top Cities Where Your Paycheck Goes the Furthest
22. Connecticut
December unemployment rate: 8.0%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,095
Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,732,423
Adults unable to pay for housing: 141,812
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 8.9%
Find Out: The Cost To Retire in America’s Sunniest Cities
21. Georgia
December unemployment rate: 5.6%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $969
Total population (ages 18 and older): 7,955,983
Adults unable to pay for housing: 412,446
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 9.0%
See the List: How Long $1 Million in Savings Will Last in Every State
20. Alabama
December unemployment rate: 3.9%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $726
Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,717,378
Adults unable to pay for housing: 177,537
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 9.2%
Read: Best Places To Live On a $50,000 Salary in Every State
19. District of Columbia
December unemployment rate: 7.9%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,552
Total population (ages 18 and older): 542,635
Adults unable to pay for housing: 36,093
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 9.4%
Find Out: The Average Retirement Age in Every State
18. Illinois
December unemployment rate: 7.6%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $859
Total population (ages 18 and older): 9,546,424
Adults unable to pay for housing: 511,738
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 9.6%
See: The Real Value of $100 in Every State
17. Kansas
December unemployment rate: 3.8%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $694
Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,140,957
Adults unable to pay for housing: 118,723
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 10.0%
Find Out: What You Actually Take Home From a $200,000 Salary in Every State
16. Delaware
December unemployment rate: 5.3%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,122
Total population (ages 18 and older): 754,637
Adults unable to pay for housing: 43,148
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 10.0%
Good To Know: The Most Expensive Suburbs in Every State
15. Rhode Island
December unemployment rate: 8.1%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $924
Total population (ages 18 and older): 817,559
Adults unable to pay for housing: 49,851
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 10.4%
Budgeting 101: How To Create a Budget You Can Live With
14. Ohio
December unemployment rate: 5.5%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $677
Total population (ages 18 and older): 8,822,539
Adults unable to pay for housing: 515,662
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 10.6%
Find Out: 50 Ways To Live the Big Life on a Small Budget
13. Nevada
December unemployment rate: 9.2%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $988
Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,399,457
Adults unable to pay for housing: 160,386
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 10.9%
Be Careful: 17 Biggest Budgeting Mistakes You’re Making
12. Alaska
December unemployment rate: 5.8%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $974
Total population (ages 18 and older): 524,925
Adults unable to pay for housing: 36,488
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 10.9%
Helpful: How I’m Sticking to a Budget and Spending Less During COVID-19
11. Oklahoma
December unemployment rate: 5.3%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $685
Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,916,436
Adults unable to pay for housing: 170,910
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 11.1%
The 50/30/20 Rule: Is It the Best Budgeting Method?
10. South Carolina
December unemployment rate: 4.6%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $852
Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,969,123
Adults unable to pay for housing: 233,903
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 11.5%
Tips: 50 Easy Things You Should Do To Save Money
9. Texas
December unemployment rate: 7.2%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $930
Total population (ages 18 and older): 21,356,906
Adults unable to pay for housing: 1,356,917
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 11.7%
See: 37 Life Hacks That Will Save You Money
8. New York
December unemployment rate: 8.2%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,308
Total population (ages 18 and older): 14,847,080
Adults unable to pay for housing: 964,774
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 12.0%
Options: Things To Cut Out Right Now To Save Money During the Health Crisis
7. Tennessee
December unemployment rate: 6.4%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $800
Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,221,475
Adults unable to pay for housing: 317,433
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 12.1%
Find Out: 16 Ways To Save Money on Food
6. Maryland
December unemployment rate: 6.3%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,245
Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,586,920
Adults unable to pay for housing: 353,007
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 12.1%
Tips: 101 Easy Ways To Save Money Daily
5. Wyoming
December unemployment rate: 4.8%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $676
Total population (ages 18 and older): 433,400
Adults unable to pay for housing: 30,632
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 12.2%
Helpful: 20 Insider Tips To Save Money on Every Part of Your Home
4. California
December unemployment rate: 9.0%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,433
Total population (ages 18 and older): 29,939,021
Adults unable to pay for housing: 2,232,487
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 12.3%
Look: These States Receive the Most Disaster Aid Every Year
3. New Mexico
December unemployment rate: 8.2%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $750
Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,589,574
Adults unable to pay for housing: 113,055
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 12.5%
See: 25 Tips for Saving Money With Your Spouse
2. Mississippi
December unemployment rate: 6.2%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $699
Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,189,670
Adults unable to pay for housing: 140,639
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 13.2%
Try: 16 Effective Ways To Trick Yourself Into Saving Money
1. Louisiana
December unemployment rate: 7.2%
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $754
Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,431,432
Adults unable to pay for housing: 300,053
Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 17.9%
More From GOBankingRates
Methodology: GOBankingRates reviewed the United States Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey to find out where Americans are having the hardest time paying rent. The survey measures the number of adults in each state who are not current on rent or mortgage payments, or who have slight or no confidence that their household can pay next month's rent or mortgage on time as of the period Dec. 9-21, 2020. GOBankingRates ordered all 50 states and the District of Columbia from the state where the highest percentage of the adult population is unable to pay for housing (No. 1) to the state where the lowest percentage is unable to pay for housing (No. 51). They are ranked here in reverse order. GOBankingRates also provided the December 2020 unemployment rate from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the December 2020 estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment from Apartment List for each state as supplemental information. All data was collected on and up to date as of Jan. 26, 2021.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: People in These States Are Having the Hardest Time Paying Rent
