What are the 10 most affordable LGBTQ+ friendly cities for renters
What are the 10 most affordable LGBTQ+ friendly cities for renters? Find out here on this episode. Then download your FREE Queer Money Kickstarter, a 9-step Guide to Kickstart Your Journey to Financial Independence.
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What are the 10 most affordable LGBTQ+ friendly cities for renters?
On this Queer Money®, we’re sharing the 10 most affordable LGBTQ+ friendly cities for renters on our affordable, LGBTQ+-friendly city series.
Coming in at #10 is Columbia, Maryland. Columbia has the highest rent in our top 10 list at $2,063 for a typical two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment. The cost of living is 118.3%, the highest in the top 10. For two individuals earning median income of $94,000 a year each, it would take 13.2% of their combined income to rent. Two individuals earning an average income of $119,000 a year each would take 10.4% of their combined income to rent. Columbia has both the highest median and average incomes in the top 10.
Coming in at #9 is Juneau, Alaska. Juneau has an average cost of $1,300 per month for a typical two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. For two individuals earning a median income of $61,000 a year each, it would take 12.8% of their combined income to rent. Two individuals earning an average income of $74,000 a year each would take 10.5% of their combined income to rent.
Coming in at #8 is Rockford, Illinois. Rockford has an average rent of $948 per month for the average two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. The cost of living is the lowest of the top 10 at 79%. For two individuals earning a median income of $43,000 a year each, it would take 13.1% of their combined income to rent. For two individuals earning an average income of $55,000 a year each, it would take 10.3% of their combined income to rent. Rockford has the lowest median and average incomes on our list.
Coming in at #7 is Columbia, Missouri. Columbia has an average rent of $1,082 per month for the average two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. For two individuals earning a median income of $51,000 a year each, it would take 12.6% of their combined income to rent. Two individuals earning an average income of $67,000 a year each would take 9.7% of their combined income to rent.
Coming in at #6 is Akron, Ohio. Akron has an average rent of $1,117 per month for the average two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. For two individuals earning a median income of $53,000 a year each, it would take 12.8% of their combined income to rent. Two individuals earning an average income of $70,000 a year each would take 9.6% of their combined income to rent.
Coming in at #5 is Erie, Pennsylvania. Erie has an average rent of $1,001 per month for the average two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. Two individuals earning a median income of $50,000 a year each would take 11.9% of their combined income to rent. Two individuals earning an average income of $62,000 a year each would take 9.7% of their combined income to rent.
Coming in at #4 is Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Milwaukee has an average rent of $1,193 per month for the average two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. Two individuals earning a median income of $57,000 a year each would take 12.5% of their combined income to rent. Two individuals earning an average income of $76,000 a year each would take 9.4% of their combined income to rent.
Coming in at #3 is Dubuque, Iowa. Dubuque has an average rent of $879 per month for the average two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. For two individuals earning a median income of $46,000 a year each, it would take 11.4% of their combined income to rent. Two individuals earning an average income of $58,000 a year each it would take 9.1% of their combined income to rent.
It is worth noting that all but two cities on this top 10 had a cost of living below the national average. All cities scored 100 on HRC’s Municipal Equality Index. For context, San Francisco takes 20% of the median income of a combined income of $104,000 to afford the typical apartment. It takes 14.2% of the avgerage income of $147,000 to afford a typical apartment. For this data and all the data we’ve been gathering from this series, please go to queermoneypodcast.com/cities
We have 3 honorable mentions. Champaign, Illinois at #13. Pittsburg, Pennsylvania at#14 and came in at #8 best for homebuyers last week. Rochester, New York at #21, which is a great city for trans folks.
Note that all of these on the list are in colder climates, here are a few from warmer areas: Scottsdale, Arizona came in at #31. Atlanta, Georgia came in at #36. Norman, Oklahoma came in at #49. Warmer clients are in high demand, which means prices go up.
Coming in at #2 is Racine, Wisconsin. Racine has an average rent of $932 per month for the average two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. For two individuals earning a median income of $51,000 a year each, it would take 10.9% of their combined income to cover rental expenses. For 2 individuals earning an average income of $69,000 a year each, it would take 8.1% of their combined income to cover rental expenses.
Coming in at #1 is Davenport, Iowa. Davenport has an average rent of $862 per month for the average two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. The lowest on our top 10 list. For two individuals earning a median income of $47,000 a year each, it would take 10.9% of their combined income to cover rental expenses. For two individuals earning an average income of $66,000 a year each, it would take 7.9% of their combined income to cover rental expenses.
If you’d like to see the data for this growing series, get the dynamic list of Affordable LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities in the U.S. here or click the link in your podcast player for a growing analysis.
For the resources and to connect with our guests, get the show notes at: https://queermoneypodcast.com/subscribe.
Previous Bonus Podcast Episodes
- 10 Most Affordable LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities for Homebuyers
- 12 Best Countries for LGBTQ People
- 7 Most Affordable, LGBTQ-friendly College Towns
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