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s housing costs continue to outpace wage growth, finding a city where rent doesn't overwhelm a paycheck is becoming increasingly rare. Over the past decade, rent has surged by over 50%, mirroring skyrocketing home prices. Meanwhile, stagnant wages have left many struggling to keep up, pushing affordable housing out of reach for an growing number of Americans.

    Bismarck, North Dakota stands out as the most affordable city to rent, where renters spend just 15.34% of their median income on rent. WalletHub's analysis of over 180 US cities found that in the most affordable cities, the median cost of rent is as low as 15% of the median income, compared to over 33% in the most expensive cities.

    The top three most affordable cities are Bismarck, North Dakota; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Cheyenne, Wyoming. These cities boast a favorable balance between median annual rent and income, making housing costs remarkably manageable. For example, Miami renters face a stark contrast, dedicating 33.48% of their income to rent – more than double Bismarck's share.

    The top 10 list includes cities like Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Fargo, North Dakota; and Charleston, West Virginia, where renters benefit from low housing costs relative to income. Western and Midwestern cities dominate the list, with Casper, Wyoming; Overland Park, Kansas; and Alaska's Juneau and Anchorage also making the cut.

    On the other end of the spectrum, cities like Miami; Newark, New Jersey; and New Haven, Connecticut burden renters with costs that eat up nearly a third of their income. Detroit; Glendale, California; and Bridgeport, Connecticut also rank among the least affordable, highlighting the financial strain in urban centers with high rents and lower median incomes.