These are the U.S. states with the highest—and lowest—average monthly rent

This week, bill pay service doxo released its annual Household Bill Pay report, which breaks down how much the average U.S. household spends on essentials, including auto loans, utilities, health insurance, mortgages, and rent.

The report found that 32% of American households pay rent and that their average monthly cost is $1,300.

According to doxo’s report, the five states with the highest rent costs also have the highest mortgage costs. This shows that housing continues to be the highest U.S. household expense for many Americans.

For its ranking, doxo used data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Hawaii tops the list of U.S. states with the highest average monthly rent. Residents of the Aloha State pay an average of $1,983 a month in rent, according to the doxo report.

In a separate 2023 doxo report, Hawaii was also determined to be the most expensive U.S. state based on the average cost of household bills. The report found that Hawaii residents spend $3,070 each month, 50% above the national average of $2,046.

In CNBC’s 2022 America’s Top States for Business study, Hawaii also ranked as the most expensive state to live in based on an index of prices for a range of goods and services.

Located on the island of O’ahu, Kailua is the most expensive city in the state.

1. Hawaii
2. California
3. Massachusetts
4. New York
5. New Jersey
6. Washington
7. Maryland
8. Colorado
9. Virginia
10. Florida

California has the second-highest average monthly rent in America. Residents of the West Coast state pay an average of $1,927 in monthly rent, according to the doxo report.

A 2023 doxo report found that California’s average cost of bills is $2,838 a month, 38.7% above the national average and 40% of the average household income.

According to 2021 data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, California’s annual average cost of living is $53,082. 

In addition to rent and other expenses, California residents can pay state income taxes as high as 13.3%, the highest in the country, according to SoFi.

West Virginia has the lowest rent costs with a monthly average of $846, according to the doxo report. It is also the most affordable state for mortgage payments, with an average of $961.

1. West Virginia
2. Arkansas
3. South Dakota
4. Mississippi
5. North Dakota
6. Kentucky
7. Iowa
8. Alabama
9. Oklahoma
10. Wyoming

Arkansas took the No. 2 spot on the list of states with the lowest average rent — households pay an average of $872 a month. The state also has the second-lowest average monthly mortgage payment in the U.S.

The cost of living in Arkansas is 8% lower than the national average and housing costs are 22% lower, according to RentCafe.

The most expensive city in Arkansas is Paragould, with a cost of living 14% higher than the state average. The cheapest major city in Arkansas is Conway, with a cost of living 10% lower than the state average and 17% lower than the national average, RentCafe states.

Arkansas is also considered a tax-friendly state, according to SmartAsset. The state does not tax Social Security retirement benefits, and property taxes are among the lowest in the U.S.

On the other hand, sales taxes in Arkansas are quite high compared to other states.

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