RESEARCH ON AMERICA’S METRO AREASKnow the numbers
Know the numbers
behind your city.
Independent analysis of official Census data on incomes, rents, home values, growth and commutes for all 393 U.S. metro areas, free to read, compare and cite.
✓ Official Census data✓ 393 metro areas✓ Free to cite
THE U.S. IN 2025
Median household income
$84,780+21.6% since 2021
$84,780+21.6% since 2021
Median rent
$1,557/mo+30.7% since 2021
$1,557/mo+30.7% since 2021
Median home value
$371,100+31.9% since 2021
Read the rent affordability report ↗$371,100+31.9% since 2021
- U.S. median rent rose +30.7% from 2021 to 2025; household income rose +21.6%.
- Rents outpaced incomes in 90 of the 100 largest metro areas.
- Renters are most stretched in Miami, FL (38.7% of income) and least in Fayetteville, AR (25.8%).
- 52% of U.S. renter households spend 30% or more of income on rent.
METRO PROFILES
The largest U.S. metro areas.
New York, NYIncome $102,139 · Rent $1,932/moLos Angeles, CAIncome $100,145 · Rent $2,170/moChicago, ILIncome $93,989 · Rent $1,620/moDallas, TXIncome $94,702 · Rent $1,744/moHouston, TXIncome $86,853 · Rent $1,550/moAtlanta, GAIncome $94,096 · Rent $1,813/moWashington, DCIncome $131,346 · Rent $2,168/moMiami, FLIncome $83,261 · Rent $2,151/moPhiladelphia, PAIncome $95,683 · Rent $1,638/moPhoenix, AZIncome $91,093 · Rent $1,836/moBoston, MAIncome $118,759 · Rent $2,221/moRiverside, CAIncome $94,933 · Rent $2,041/mo
RANKINGS
How metros compare.
Most Affordable U.S. Metro Areas for Renters#1 large metro: San Juan, PRLeast Affordable U.S. Metro Areas for Renters#1 large metro: Miami, FLHighest-Income U.S. Metro Areas#1 large metro: San Jose, CAMost Expensive U.S. Housing Markets#1 large metro: San Jose, CAMost Affordable U.S. Metro Areas to Buy a Home#1 large metro: Pittsburgh, PAFastest-Growing U.S. Metro Areas Since 2021#1 large metro: Fresno, CA
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ABOUT METRO RESEARCH
Built on public data. Open to everyone.
Metro Research turns the Census Bureau’s detailed survey data into clear profiles, rankings and reports for every U.S. metropolitan area. Every figure links back to its official source, and all of our data is free to download and cite.