The 50 Cheapest Places to Rent an Apartment in America

You looked at the calendar and realized that your lease is coming to an end soon, and you’re thinking of moving somewhere cheaper. While most headlines marvel over the most expensive cities to live in, there are plenty of cheap ones to choose from, too.

There are many options where rent is affordable and less than the national average of $1,722 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, a 25.5 percent jump from last year. Another notable finding is that, of all the places on our list, cities in Connecticut, Texas and Arkansas have seen the most significant decreases in average rents in the past year.

Keep on reading to check out the top 50 cities with the cheapest apartments in the country.

The cities with the cheapest apartments in the U.S.

Finding a cheap apartment often feels like winning the lottery. Luckily for cash-strapped renters, some of the most affordable apartments are found near or in city centers, so the rent is cheap and the commute isn’t too bad. Win/win!

Takeaway #1: McKeesport, PA, leads the pack as the cheapest rent in the U.S.

McKeesport, PA, located about 16 miles from the bustling metropolis of Pittsburgh, offers the cheapest rent in the country. At an average of $368 per month, this western Pennsylvania town has enjoyed stable rent prices over the last year, with no real change during this time period. This small city is home to around 17,500 residents, according to the 2021 U.S. Census.

Takeaway #2: The greatest decrease in average rent was in Norwalk, CT

When comparing year-over-year rents across the country for a one-bedroom apartment, Norwalk, CT, experienced the most significant decrease in cost as of July 2022. One-bedroom units have decreased nearly 67 percent over the past year, now to $725 per month on average.

This makes Norwalk the 17th cheapest place to rent an apartment in the U.S.

Takeaway #3: Texas leads the top 10 with two of the cheapest cities

Both Lubbock, TX, and Baytown, TX, are in the top 10 cheapest places to rent in the U.S. Texas is the only state with more than one city in the top 10. You can rent a one-bedroom apartment in either town for less than $700 a month on average.

The full list of cheapest places to rent

Thinking of relocating? Check out the complete list of cheapest places to rent in the country, start downsizing and make your plan to move.

Methodology

Rental data was pulled from Apartment Guide’s multifamily rental property inventory for one-bedroom units over June 2022 and June 2021. All cities with insufficient inventory were excluded.

The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.