Ten cities from the original analysis recalculated with one reproducible ratio: annual one-bedroom rent divided by median household income.
A rent number is not cheap or expensive by itself. This refresh compares annualized one-bedroom rent with median household income for the original ten-city cohort. The ratio is a screening measure, not a claim about what every renter pays.
All ten ratios are below 10% because the denominator is household income, not an individual renter’s wage. That distinction matters. A one-person household, a lower-paid worker or a family needing more bedrooms can face a much higher burden.
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Turn city, tax, and housing data into a stronger counteroffer ask.
| # | City | COL Index | $50K → Buys |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allen, TX | 103 | $126,549 |
| 2 | Fishers, IN | 95 | $121,382 |
| 3 | Ankeny, IA | 93 | $105,862 |
| 4 | Bentonville, AR | 91 | $108,465 |
| 5 | Shawnee, KS | 93 | $100,016 |
| 6 | Lenexa, KS | 93 | $102,344 |
| 7 | Olathe, KS | 93 | $105,915 |
| 8 | Edmond, OK | 91 | $98,524 |
| 9 | Madison, AL | 94 | $131,436 |
| 10 | Lakeville, MN | 105 | $147,992 |
Source: C2ER/ACCRA Cost of Living Index, US Census ACS. US Average COL = 100. Higher "Buys" = more purchasing power.
Pop. 111,627
Pop. 101,789
Pop. 74,455
Pop. 56,326
Pop. 69,417
| City | Income | 1BR rent | Annual rent / income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allen, TX | $126,549 | $781 | 7.4% |
| Bentonville, AR | $108,465 | $773 | 8.6% |
| Shawnee, KS | $100,016 | $731 | 8.8% |
| Fishers, IN | $121,382 | $898 | 8.9% |
| Ankeny, IA | $105,862 | $787 | 8.9% |
| Edmond, OK | $98,524 | $773 | 9.4% |
| Olathe, KS | $105,915 | $839 | 9.5% |
| Madison, AL | $131,436 | $1,067 | 9.7% |
| Lakeville, MN | $147,992 | $1,201 | 9.7% |
| Lenexa, KS | $102,344 | $839 | 9.8% |
Median household income can combine multiple earners, while a one-bedroom unit often serves one renter. The ratio therefore should not be presented as the typical renter’s actual burden. It is best used to compare the same standardized inputs across places.
Allen has the lowest ratio in this cohort at 7.4%, followed by Bentonville at 8.6%. Lenexa is highest among the ten at 9.8%. Those differences are modest; taxes, commute cost and the exact housing unit can easily outweigh them.
Use your own gross income and expected rent: monthly rent × 12 ÷ annual gross income. Then rerun with after-tax income and add utilities, parking, renters insurance and commuting. If moving with a partner, test both one-income and two-income scenarios.
Pop. 57,986
Pop. 147,466
Pop. 98,113
Pop. 58,335
Pop. 76,235
There are three useful versions of a rent ratio, and they answer different questions. City median household income supports a standardized market screen. Your gross household income supports a personal pre-tax screen. Your after-tax income supports a cash-flow screen. Publishing one ratio as though it answers all three creates false confidence.
For example, a $1,000 monthly lease costs $12,000 per year. Against $100,000 of household income, that is 12%. Against a single $50,000 salary, it is 24%. Against $40,000 of take-home pay, it consumes 30% of available cash. The rent did not change—the denominator did.
Budget separately for utilities, parking, pet fees, deposits, renters insurance, laundry, commuting and annual increases. If the move requires a second vehicle, its total cost can exceed a modest rent advantage. Families should rerun the comparison with the required bedroom count instead of a one-bedroom benchmark.
Do not choose the lowest citywide ratio automatically. Choose the place where an actual suitable unit, commute and household budget remain workable after a realistic stress test.
This article uses $50K as a benchmark, but your situation is unique. Use our free tools to calculate your exact purchasing power in any of these cities.
The production snapshot exported July 12, 2026 supplies rent_1br_usd and median_income. The displayed ratio is rent_1br_usd × 12 ÷ median_income × 100. It is not a HUD burden classification and does not estimate the income of a specific renter.
The cohort offers relatively favorable standardized rent-to-household-income ratios, but the result should not be translated into a promise of affordability. Replace the household denominator with your actual income before making a move.
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