People in These States Are Having the Hardest Time Paying Rent

Phaucet / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Phaucet / Getty Images/iStockphoto

The expanded unemployment benefits — as well as the moratorium on evictions that protected many people from losing their homes — expired at the end of July. As so many have been scrambling to make ends meet in spite of their temporary unemployment, the new threat that they could very easily end up on the streets presents a harrowing reality.

See: These States Have the Best Chance To Bounce Back From the Coronavirus Unemployment Tsunami

So, which states are at the greatest risk for a wave of evictions? To get a better sense of which places are the most vulnerable, GOBankingRates conducted a study to determine which locales have the worst combination of high rents and high unemployment. The study included the June unemployment rate, the average rent on a one-bedroom apartment and the percentage of people who missed a rent or mortgage payment last month or have no expectation to be able to pay next month, per the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey.

Take a closer look at which places appear to be having the toughest time paying rent, and which states have a better chance at bouncing back from the crisis.

Last updated: Jan. 19, 2021

f11photo / Shutterstock.com
f11photo / Shutterstock.com

Maine

  • June unemployment rate: 6.6%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $780

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,065,620

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 89,847

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 13.3%

Read: When Can You Get the COVID Vaccine?

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Utah

  • June unemployment rate: 5.1%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $805

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,281,207

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 231,212

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 13.4%

Check Out: Almost Every State Is In Debt Thanks to COVID — What Now?

Marc Dufresne / Getty Images
Marc Dufresne / Getty Images

Vermont

  • June unemployment rate: 9.4%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $974

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 485,485

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 44,913

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 13.7%

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Washington

  • June unemployment rate: 9.8%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,178

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,890,357

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 645,716

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 15%

From Houses to RVs: What To Buy During the Pandemic

culbertson / Getty Images/iStockphoto
culbertson / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Minnesota

  • June unemployment rate: 8.6%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $859

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,241,624

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 468,345

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 16.1%

Kyle Sprague / Shutterstock.com
Kyle Sprague / Shutterstock.com

Oregon

  • June unemployment rate: 11.2%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $984

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,302,727

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 397,346

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 16.3%

luminouslens / Getty Images/iStockphoto
luminouslens / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Pennsylvania

  • June unemployment rate: 13%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $830

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 9,776,154

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 1,103,641

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 17.4%

Scott Wilson Photography / Shutterstock.com
Scott Wilson Photography / Shutterstock.com

Montana

  • June unemployment rate: 7.1%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $625

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 822,204

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 99,342

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 18.1%

f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto
f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Wisconsin

  • June unemployment rate: 8.5%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $689

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,438,719

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 610,815

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 18.6%

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Colorado

  • June unemployment rate: 10.5%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,040

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,454,718

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 592,351

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 18.6%

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto
SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

District of Columbia

  • June unemployment rate: 8.6%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,493

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 542,635

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 78,862

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 19.2%

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Hampshire

  • June unemployment rate: 11.8%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,052

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,073,014

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 138,492

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 19.5%

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kansas

  • June unemployment rate: 7.5%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $673

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,140,957

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 281,067

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 19.7%

andykazie / Getty Images
andykazie / Getty Images

Alaska

  • June unemployment rate: 12.4%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $936

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 524,925

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 66,404

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 20%

RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images
RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images

Wyoming

  • June unemployment rate: 7.6%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $625

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 433,400

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 57,410

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 20.1%

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Massachusetts

  • June unemployment rate: 17.4%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,313

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,324,065

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 806,773

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 21.2%

See: A Coronavirus Downturn Will Hurt These 50 Housing Markets the Most

benkrut / Getty Images/iStockphoto
benkrut / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Iowa

  • June unemployment rate: 8%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $606

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,342,905

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 344,827

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 21.4%

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com
DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Connecticut

  • June unemployment rate: 9.8%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,083

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,732,423

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 391,721

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 21.7%

JamesBrey / Getty Images/iStockphoto
JamesBrey / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Hawaii

  • June unemployment rate: 13.9%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,444

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,073,229

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 174,066

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 21.9%

©Shutterstock.com / Shutterstock.com
©Shutterstock.com / Shutterstock.com

Delaware

  • June unemployment rate: 12.5%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,035

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 754,637

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 110,362

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 22.2%

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

South Dakota

  • June unemployment rate: 7.2%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $569

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 642,658

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 97,515

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 22.7%

MidwestWilderness / Getty Images/iStockphoto
MidwestWilderness / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Nebraska

  • June unemployment rate: 6.7%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $662

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,418,191

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 231,634

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 23.2%

espiegle / Getty Images/iStockphoto
espiegle / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Michigan

  • June unemployment rate: 14.8%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $726

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 7,644,458

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 1,236,656

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 23.6%

Mlenny / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Mlenny / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Illinois

  • June unemployment rate: 14.6%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $913

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 9,546,424

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 1,543,956

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 24%

WilliamSherman / Getty Images/iStockphoto
WilliamSherman / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Virginia

  • June unemployment rate: 8.4%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,067

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 6,472,737

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 1,097,578

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 24.1%

Meinphoto / Shutterstock.com
Meinphoto / Shutterstock.com

Missouri

  • June unemployment rate: 7.9%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $667

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,617,880

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 796,702

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 24.2%

Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

North Carolina

  • June unemployment rate: 7.6%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $769

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 8,017,566

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 1,317,637

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 24.3%

picmax / Getty Images/iStockphoto
picmax / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Idaho

  • June unemployment rate: 5.6%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $663

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,343,198

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 230,730

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 24.3%

Alexphotographic / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Alexphotographic / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Maryland

  • June unemployment rate: 8%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,262

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 4,586,920

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 741,108

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 24.4%

ThomHartwick / Getty Images/iStockphoto
ThomHartwick / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Rhode Island

  • June unemployment rate: 12.4%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $978

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 817,559

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 140,529

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 24.5%

Anne Kitzman / Shutterstock.com
Anne Kitzman / Shutterstock.com

Kentucky

  • June unemployment rate: 4.3%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $608

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,344,102

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 515,309

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 24.7%

benedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto
benedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arizona

  • June unemployment rate: 10%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $869

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,597,268

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 997,492

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 24.8%

Check Out: Owning vs. Renting: What’s Better for Your Wallet?

f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto
f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Indiana

  • June unemployment rate: 11.2%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $664

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,015,550

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 859,079

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 26%

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

North Dakota

  • June unemployment rate: 6.1%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $582

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 561,016

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 93,315

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 27.1%

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Oklahoma

  • June unemployment rate: 6.6%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $605

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,916,436

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 513,267

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 27.3%

BlazenImages / Getty Images/iStockphoto
BlazenImages / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arkansas

  • June unemployment rate: 8%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $579

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,246,527

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 364,105

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 27.7%

James Mattil / Shutterstock.com
James Mattil / Shutterstock.com

Nevada

  • June unemployment rate: 15%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $901

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,399,457

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 517,143

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 28.1%

rodclementphotography / Getty Images/iStockphoto
rodclementphotography / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Georgia

  • June unemployment rate: 7.6%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $878

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 7,955,983

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 1,503,393

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 28.3%

matejphoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto
matejphoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

West Virginia

  • June unemployment rate: 10.4%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $605

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,379,576

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 249,044

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 28.9%

traveler1116 / Getty Images
traveler1116 / Getty Images

South Carolina

  • June unemployment rate: 8.7%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $779

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,969,123

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 743,353

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 29%

Real Window Creative / Shutterstock.com
Real Window Creative / Shutterstock.com

New Jersey

  • June unemployment rate: 16.6%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,255

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 6,776,822

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 1,270,764

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 29%

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

California

  • June unemployment rate: 14.9%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,449

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 29,939,021

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 7,003,562

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 30%

Look: These States Receive the Most Disaster Aid Every Year

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Ohio

  • June unemployment rate: 10.9%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $669

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 8,822,539

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 1,699,086

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 30.1%

wsfurlan / Getty Images/iStockphoto
wsfurlan / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Florida

  • June unemployment rate: 10.4%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $979

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 17,085,385

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 3,333,798

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 30.2%

Swarmcatcher / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Swarmcatcher / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Tennessee

  • June unemployment rate: 9.7%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $710

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 5,221,475

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 1,096,675

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 30.6%

Arpad Benedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Arpad Benedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Texas

  • June unemployment rate: 8.6%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $856

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 21,356,906

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 4,562,581

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 32.1%

pidjoe / Getty Images
pidjoe / Getty Images

New York

  • June unemployment rate: 15.7%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,292

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 14,847,080

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 3,327,655

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 32.8%

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Mexico

  • June unemployment rate: 8.3%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $681

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 1,589,574

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 355,836

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 33.1%

traveler1116 / iStock.com
traveler1116 / iStock.com

Mississippi

  • June unemployment rate: 8.7%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $665

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 2,189,670

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 445,863

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 33.9%

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto
SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Alabama

  • June unemployment rate: 7.5%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $685

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,717,378

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 817,178

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 35.1%

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Louisiana

  • June unemployment rate: 9.7%

  • Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $685

  • Total population (ages 18 and older): 3,431,432

  • Adults unable to pay for housing: 755,099

Percentage of population unable to pay for housing: 36.5%

More From GOBankingRates

Methodology: GOBankingRates reviewed the United States Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey to find out where Americans are having the hardest time paying rent. The survey measures the number of adults in each state “who missed last month’s rent or mortgage payment or who have slight or no confidence that their household can pay next month’s rent or mortgage on time.” GOBankingRates ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia from the state where the highest percentage of the adult population is unable to pay for housing (No. 1) to the state where the lowest percentage is unable to pay for housing (No. 51). GOBankingRates also provided the June 2020 unemployment rate from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the June 2020 estimated rent for one-bedroom apartments from Apartment List for each state as supplemental information. All data was collected on and up to date as of July 23, 2020.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: People in These States Are Having the Hardest Time Paying Rent

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