The Most and Least Affordable Cities for Minimum-Wage Earners

The federal minimum wage hasn't gone up since 2009, when it was set at $7.25. It's far from a livable wage, especially with rampant inflation, rising rent, and skyrocketing home prices. Even with some states and cities instituting their own higher minimum wages, it's difficult for minimum-wage earners to afford an apartment in most areas of the U.S. To determine which cities are the most affordable, a new report from Move.org compares the average one-bedroom rent and minimum wage in cities across America. In the most affordable city, it would take minimum-wage earners about 67 hours of work to afford their rent every month. In the least affordable, it takes a shocking 193 hours — or almost five 40-hour workweeks. 

Related: Best and Worst Cities for Renting a Home

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,170

Hourly minimum wage:$15

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent:78

Related: Which State Has the Highest (and Lowest) Minimum Wage?

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $715

Hourly minimum wage:$9.30

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent:76.88

Related: Can You Guess the Minimum Wage the Year You Were Born?

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,095.50

Hourly minimum wage:$14.25

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent: 76.88

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Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $842

Hourly minimum wage:$11.15

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent: 75.52

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $918

Hourly minimum wage:$12.50

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent: 73.44

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $910.50

Hourly minimum wage:$12.80

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent:71.13

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,041.50

Hourly minimum wage: $15

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent:69.43

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $678.50

Hourly minimum wage:$9.87

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent:68.74

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,031

Hourly minimum wage:$15

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent:68.73

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $619.50

Hourly minimum wage: $9.30

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent: 66.61

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,073

Hourly minimum wage:$7.25

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent: 148

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,093

Hourly minimum wage:$7.25

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent:150.76

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,162.50

Hourly minimum wage:$7.25

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent: 160.34

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,174

Hourly minimum wage: $7.25

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent:161.93

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,452.50

Hourly minimum wage: $15

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent: 163.50

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,229.50

Hourly minimum wage: $7.25

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent:169.59

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,293

Hourly minimum wage:$7.25

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent:178.34

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,321.50

Hourly minimum wage:$7.25

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent:182.28

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,377.50

Hourly minimum wage:$7.25

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent: 190

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,948

Hourly minimum wage: $10.10

Number of working hours per month at pre-tax minimum wage to afford rent:192.87