Rent & housing
HUD Fair Market Rents, Census rents and home values, property taxes and the cost of owning.
Rent Affordability by Metro
Your income’s 30% rent line against HUD Fair Market Rents for every bedroom size.
True Cost of Owning a Home
Mortgage plus the county’s effective property-tax rate and your insurance, by county.
The 30 Percent Rule for Rent: Does It Still Hold Up?
HUD counts renters as cost-burdened above 30% of income. On $100,000 that is $2,500 a month, below San Francisco's $3,003 one-bedroom Fair Market Rent.
Average Electric Bill by State (2025)
The average US home electric bill was $150.68 a month in 2025 (EIA). Hawaii averaged $207.89 and New Mexico $94.65. Every state's bill, use and price.
Effective Property Tax Rate by County
County property tax rates run from 0.15% to 2.93% of home value (ACS 2020–2024). See the highest, lowest and top-coded counties and the monthly cost.
How Many Bedrooms Does My Family Need?
One bedroom for the adults plus one for every two children: two adults with two kids need 2 bedrooms, with three kids 3. HUD guidance and rents.
How Much Rent Can I Afford?
On $60,000, the 30% rule allows $1,500 a month in rent. A New York one-bedroom at HUD Fair Market Rent ($2,729) needs $109,160 a year to stay under that line.
Rent vs. Buy After a Move: What the Numbers Show
In Austin, a couple on $120,000 keeps $54,419 a year renting a 2-bedroom but $37,016 owning the median home. Year-one cash flow favors renting in 5 metros.
True Cost of Owning a Home Beyond the Mortgage
Denver's median home ($603,800) costs $3,460 a month with 20% down at 6.5%: $3,053 mortgage, $257 property tax, $150 insurance. How to model all three.
What Is Fair Market Rent? HUD's FMR Explained
HUD Fair Market Rent is the 40th-percentile gross rent, utilities included, paid by recent movers for standard-quality units. FY2027 rents start Oct. 1, 2026.