Housing

California vs New York: Rent to Income Ratio

New York has a lower rent to income ratio than California.

California flag
California
CA · West
26.5%
Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.
New York flag
New York
NY · Northeast
Winner
24.1%
Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.

Visual comparison

California26.5%
New York24.1%

Difference: 2.40 percentage points — New York leads.

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for rent to income ratio.

California #50 · 26.5%
New York #47 · 24.1%
Best Worst

10 Best States — Rent to Income Ratio

Lower is better
#1 North Dakota flag North Dakota
15.2%
#2 Iowa flag Iowa
15.5%
#3 South Dakota flag South Dakota
16.0%
#4 Nebraska flag Nebraska
16.5%
#5 Minnesota flag Minnesota
16.6%
#6 Wisconsin flag Wisconsin
17.2%
#7 Kansas flag Kansas
17.7%
#8 Missouri flag Missouri
17.8%
#9 Indiana flag Indiana
17.9%
#10 Wyoming flag Wyoming
17.9%
Selected states
#50 California flag California
26.5%
#47 New York flag New York
24.1%

California ranks 50th and New York ranks 47th nationally for rent to income ratio.

Related context

Rent Burden in Context

This ratio shows how much of a median paycheck goes straight to the landlord — the higher, the less breathing room renters have.

What this means

California vs New York: Rent to Income Ratio in context

New York's rent to income ratio is 24.1%, compared with 26.5% in California. Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.

California
26.5%
New York
24.1%
Difference
2.40 percentage points

People also ask

California vs New York Rent to Income Ratio — common questions

QWhat is California's rent to income ratio?

California's rent to income ratio is 26.5%.

QWhat is New York's rent to income ratio?

New York's rent to income ratio is 24.1%.

QWhich state has a lower rent to income ratio — California or New York?

New York has a lower rent to income ratio than California.

More comparisons: California vs New York

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Full comparison

Data source and freshness

Data period
ACS 2023 estimates
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
State values or ratios calculated from ACS fields.