How Much Your Rent Cost In 1990 In Every US State

Every ten years when the US Census Bureau gathers census data from around the country, it collects information on topics ranging from population to income to cost of living expenses. The latter includes information about rent prices in each state.

Rent varies by location and fluctuates significantly at various times of year and at different points in economic cycles. High-demand areas can - and do - feature higher rents, specifically cities and communities with good schools, access to amenities, and flourishing job markets. Size, layout, age of a rental unit, and numerous other factors all influence how high or how low monthly rent will be.

With so much variability, the US Census Bureau presents data with median gross rents in each state. This number includes utilities like water, electricity, and gas as well as fuel such as wood, oil, and coal. The information here is calculated based on US Census Bureau information, adjusted to 2025 dollars. For context (and as an example), the national median gross rent in the US in 1990 was $447, an amount that's equivalent to $1,115 in 2025.