Annual Income Needed to Rent Comfortably in 50 U.S. Cities

Renting in Dallas, Texas, has become increasingly challenging as the cost of living rises across the United States. According to a Zillow analysis published on May 12, 2025, renters in Dallas now need to earn approximately $71,413 annually to afford the median rent without exceeding the 30% affordability threshold. This figure reflects a 28.6% increase in the income needed compared to 2020, underscoring how rental costs in the city have outpaced wage growth over recent years. Nationally, the financial strain is even more apparent. The average renter in the U.S. requires an annual income of $80,949 to comfortably afford rent, a 34.5% increase from five years ago. The average monthly rent has risen to $2,024, while Dallas remains slightly more affordable with median rents at around $1,785 and a renter affordability rate of 23.2%. This positions Dallas below the national rent burden threshold, offering some respite compared to pricier metros such as New York or Los Angeles, which demand six-figure incomes. These numbers are part of a broader trend of surging rental costs outpacing income growth since the start of the pandemic. Nationwide, rents for a typical apartment have climbed 28.7%, and single-family home rents have increased by 42.9%. While Dallas remains relatively affordable, the rising costs highlight the growing challenges of achieving financial stability in a rental market that continues to tighten. Renters in Dallas and beyond face increasing pressure, making it crucial to carefully evaluate housing budgets and explore tools like Zillow’s rent affordability calculator for informed decision-making. SOURCE | Zillow

1. New York City, NY

Income Needed: $144,960

ZORI: $3,624

Rate of Change Since 2020: 24.8%

2. San Jose, CA

Income Needed: $136,532

ZORI: $3,413

Rate of Change Since 2020: 13.0%

3. Boston, MA

Income Needed: $127,007

ZORI: $3,175

Rate of Change Since 2020: 26.8%

4. San Francisco, CA

Income Needed: $124,267

ZORI: $3,107

Rate of Change Since 2020: 9.3%

5. San Diego, CA

Income Needed: $122,810

ZORI: $3,070

Rate of Change Since 2020: 40.8%

6. Los Angeles, CA

Income Needed: $118,958

ZORI: $2,974

Rate of Change Since 2020: 28.3%

7. Miami, FL

Income Needed: $109,962

ZORI: $2,749

Rate of Change Since 2020: 54.4%

8. Riverside, CA

Income Needed: $102,722

ZORI: $2,568

Rate of Change Since 2020: 45.6%

9. Washington D.C.

Income Needed: $97,179

ZORI: $2,429

Rate of Change Since 2020: 24.4%

10. Sacramento, CA

Income Needed: $94,002

ZORI: $2,350

Rate of Change Since 2020: 30.7%

11. Seattle, WA

Income Needed: $90,840

ZORI: $2,271

Rate of Change Since 2020: $90,840

12. Providence, RI

Income Needed: $87,829

ZORI: $2,196

Rate of Change Since 2020: 51.2%

13. Chicago, IL

Income Needed: $87,428

ZORI: $2,186

Rate of Change Since 2020: 31.1%

14. Tampa, FL

Income Needed: $86,301

ZORI: $2,158

Rate of Change Since 2020: 52.0%

15. Orlando, FL

Income Needed: $81,789

ZORI: $2,045

Rate of Change Since 2020: 37.5%

16. Denver, CO

Income Needed: $78,862

ZORI: $1,972

Rate of Change Since 2020: 22.8%

17. Hartford, CT

Income Needed: $77,119

ZORI: $1,928

Rate of Change Since 2020: 45.2%

18. Philadelphia, PA

Income Needed: $77,058

ZORI: $1,926

Rate of Change Since 2020: 29.0%

19. Atlanta, GA

Income Needed: $76,745

ZORI: $1,919

Rate of Change Since 2020: 36.3%

20. Baltimore, MD

Income Needed: $75,158

ZORI: $1,879

Rate of Change Since 2020: 29.6%

21. Nashville, TN

Income Needed: $74,739

ZORI: $1,868

Rate of Change Since 2020: 28.8%

22. Phoenix, AZ

Income Needed: $74,101

ZORI: $1,853

Rate of Change Since 2020: 35.9%

23. Portland, OR

Income Needed: $74,076

ZORI: $1,852

Rate of Change Since 2020: 24.2%

24. Charlotte, NC

Income Needed: $72,091

ZORI: $1,802

Rate of Change Since 2020: 35.8%

25. Las Vegas, NV

Income Needed: $72,060

ZORI: $1,801

Rate of Change Since 2020: 35.6%

26. Virginia Beach, VA

Income Needed: $71,908

ZORI: $1,798

Rate of Change Since 2020: 43.0%

27. Dallas, TX

Income Needed: $71,413

ZORI: $1,785

Rate of Change Since 2020: 28.6%

28. Raleigh, NC

Income Needed: $70,451

ZORI: $1,761

Rate of Change Since 2020: 31.0%

29. Salt Lake City, UT

Income Needed: $69,881

ZORI: $1,747

Rate of Change Since 2020: 34.2%

30. Jacksonville, FL

Income Needed: $69,670

ZORI: $1,742

Rate of Change Since 2020: 36.7%

31. Austin, TX

Income Needed: $68,840

ZORI: $1,721

Rate of Change Since 2020: 17.6%

32. Richmond, VA

Income Needed: $68,307

ZORI: $1,708

Rate of Change Since 2020: 40.2%

33. Houston, TX

Income Needed: $67,731

ZORI: $1,693

Rate of Change Since 2020: 23.4%

34. Minneapolis, MN

Income Needed: $67,714

ZORI: $1,693

Rate of Change Since 2020: 17.6%

35. New Orleans, LA

Income Needed: $66,141

ZORI: $1,654

Rate of Change Since 2020: 28.7%

36. Indianapolis, IN

Income Needed: $64,391

ZORI: $1,610

Rate of Change Since 2020: 41.6%

37. Cincinnati, OH

Income Needed: $63,444

ZORI: $1,586

Rate of Change Since 2020: 39.5%

38. Columbus, OH

Income Needed: $62,493

ZORI: $1,562

Rate of Change Since 2020: 36.9%

39. Kansas City, MO

Income Needed: $61,457

ZORI: $1,536

Rate of Change Since 2020: 38.7%

40. Detroit, MI

Income Needed: $59,873

ZORI: $1,497

Rate of Change Since 2020: 38.5%

41. Pittsburgh, PA

Income Needed: $59,274

ZORI: $1,482

Rate of Change Since 2020: 28.2%

42. Milwaukee, WI

Income Needed: $59,139

ZORI: $1,478

Rate of Change Since 2020: 32.6%

43. Memphis, TN

Income Needed: $58,761

ZORI: $1,469

Rate of Change Since 2020: 37.7%

44. San Antonio, TX

Income Needed: $58,590

ZORI: $1,802

Rate of Change Since 2020: 35.8%

45. Cleveland, OH

Income Needed: $58,497

ZORI: $1,462

Rate of Change Since 2020: 40.9%

46. Birmingham, AL

Income Needed: $57,428

ZORI: $1,436

Rate of Change Since 2020: 32.7%

47. St. Louis, MO

Income Needed: $57,104

ZORI: $1,428

Rate of Change Since 2020: 37.4%

48. Louisville, KY

Income Needed: $56,549

ZORI: $1,414

Rate of Change Since 2020: 35.7%

49. Oklahoma City, OK

Income Needed: $55,634

ZORI: $1,391

Rate of Change Since 2020: 33.4%

50. Buffalo, NY

Income Needed: $55,319

ZORI: $1,383

Rate of Change Since 2020: 38.9%