The Highest Rents

According to this piece at Business Insider the cities where the most people pay rents in excess of 30% of income are:

City Median income Rent income share
Seattle, Washington $74,458 30.90%
Tampa, Florida $45,874 31%
Orlando, Florida $44,007 31.50%
Denver, Colorado $56,258 32%
Sacramento, California $52,071 32.40%
Boston, Massachusetts $58,516 32.70%
San Jose, California $90,303 35.60%
Riverside, California $58,979 36.80%
New York, New York $55,191 37.70%
San Francisco, California $87,701 39.20%
San Diego, California $68,117 40.30%
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California $55,151 46.90%

I can’t muster much enthusiasm for federal aid to the people in these cities. They are creating their own problems, much of it through zoning and property tax laws. Before they get subsidies from the rest of us to support their lifestyles they should take some steps to help themselves.

2 comments… add one
  • steve Link

    Agree. Or people can leave. I would note that rents dont include all major costs. In most cities you almost have own a car, or face many hours of public transportation, if it is available. In places like NYC and Boston you can get by without one for the most part.

    Steve

  • Gray Shambler Link

    I’m surprised Boulder’s not on the list.
    So they used median income divided into median monthly rents. You can’t know how many people actually pay that. As the article said, double up, and commute. You should see the lines at the ferry in Seattle at quittin time. Lots of young people see the restaurant and service jobs in Seattle as worth the commute. Not in money though. I suppose these other cities must have something as well, no one is forced to live there.

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