Rent for less than $1K: Zillow shows affordable options in these areas

Rhea-AI Summary

Zillow (NASDAQ:ZG) published an analysis (Oct 16, 2025) identifying U.S. metros where rentals under $1,000 remain common and where renting rooms is most affordable. Key findings:

• Wichita leads with 54% of apartment listings under $1,000; McAllen at just over 50%.
• Median room rent is ≤ $1,000 in 86 of the 100 largest U.S. metros.
• Typical apartment rent is up 37% since 2019 while mortgage costs are more than double 2019 levels.

Zillow reports > 141,000 users opted to report rent payments; a paid Esusu reporting option launches in November for a $20 annual fee.

Positive

• 54% of Wichita apartment listings under $1,000
• Median room rent ≤ $1,000 in 86 of 100 largest metros
• > 141,000 users have enabled rent reporting via Zillow
• Esusu partnership launching rent-reporting option in November for a $20 annual fee

Negative

• Typical apartment rent is +37% since 2019
• Mortgage costs are > 2x the 2019 level
• Renters now need ~9 years saving at 5% of income for a 10% down payment (up from 7.4 years in 2019)

Top markets for sub-$1,000 apartments and rooms for rent amid housing cost crunch

• More than 50% of the apartments in Wichita, Kansas and McAllen, Texas, are listed for less than $1,000
• The median rent for a room is $1,000 or less in 86 of the 100 largest U.S. metros.
• 28% of recent home buyers said "house hacking" was very or extremely important to them.  

SEATTLE, Oct. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As rent prices stabilize in some markets and surge in others, new Zillow data reveals where renters can still find low-cost options. A new analysis from Zillow tracked down places where rentals costing less than $1,000 a month are relatively easy to find, giving renters opportunities to save up for retirement, for unexpected expenses or for a down payment on their own home.

Housing price growth has cooled since it was supercharged early in the pandemic, but mortgage costs are still more than double those of 2019 and rent on a typical apartment is up 37% over the same timespan. Renters today would need to set aside 5% of their income for nearly nine years to afford a 10% down payment on a typical home — up from 7.4 years in 2019.

"It's no secret that rents and home prices have sprinted ahead of incomes. For many renters, that makes saving for a down payment feel out of reach," said Zillow Senior Economist Kara Ng. "Moving to a more affordable area can really boost long-term financial health — and in pricier cities, renting a room has become one of the few ways to keep housing costs manageable."

Sub-$1,000 apartments are scarce — but easier to find in the South and Midwest 
Among the nation's 100 largest metros, 13 have more than one-third of apartments renting for less than $1,000 per month — and they're largely clustered in smaller markets across the South and Midwest.

• Wichita, Kansas, has the highest share of apartment listings (54%) with monthly rent under $1,000.
• McAllen, Texas, follows at just over 50%, and is the only other top-100 metro with more than half of apartments renting for less than a grand. 
• Little Rock, Arkansas (49%); Toledo, Ohio (46%); and Oklahoma City (42%) round out the top five.

At the other end of the spectrum, Boston, Miami, Washington, D.C., North Port, Florida, Charleston, South Carolina, and Cape Coral, Florida, all have fewer than 1.8% of listings renting for less than $1,000.

Rooms for rent offer serious savings for renters and options for homeowners 
Renting a room in an apartment or larger home can save serious funds on living expenses, and options are easy to explore on Zillow Rentals. Renting a room can also bring highly desirable locations into a smaller budget. 

Zillow data shows:

• The median list rent for a room is $1,000 or less in 86 of the 100 largest U.S. metros, including Seattle.
• California leads the way in room rentals. Among the top 14 metros with the highest share of room listings, eight are in California. The concentration reflects the state's high housing costs and demand for creative solutions.

Offering a room to rent in a house you own is a big draw for recent homebuyers, too. According to Zillow surveys:

• 32% of recent home buyers said the ability to rent out their entire home was very or extremely important to them.
• 28% said being able to "house hack" — renting out part of their home while living in it — was also important.

Renters can build credit with on-time payments
For those renters looking to break into homeownership, saving for a down payment doesn't stand alone on the to-do list: establishing credit is another critical component. On-time rent payments typically don't impact credit scores, but Zillow is helping change that. 

Renters who pay through the Zillow app can choose to have their on-time rent payments reported to major credit reporting bureaus for free – more than 141,000 users have already done so. A Zillow partnership with Esusu is spreading the benefits even wider. Starting in November, renters will be able to pay an annual $20 fee and have their rent payments reported to credit bureaus to help build credit, even if they don't pay rent through Zillow.

About Zillow Group:
Zillow Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more and more people. As the most visited real estate app and website in the United States, Zillow and its affiliates help people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions, dedicated real estate professionals, and easier buying, selling, financing, and renting experiences. 

Zillow Group's affiliates, subsidiaries and brands include Zillow®, Zillow Premier Agent®, Zillow Home Loans℠, Zillow Rentals®, Trulia®, Out East®, StreetEasy®, HotPads®, ShowingTime+℠, Spruce®, and Follow Up Boss®. 

All marks herein are owned by MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). © 2025 MFTB Holdco, Inc., a Zillow affiliate.

(ZFIN)

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rent-for-less-than-1k-zillow-shows-affordable-options-in-these-areas-302585974.html

SOURCE Zillow

FAQ

What did Zillow announce on Oct 16, 2025 about sub-$1,000 rentals and ZG?

Zillow said certain metros still have many listings under $1,000, citing Wichita (54%) and McAllen (> 50%), and noted room rents ≤ $1,000 in 86 of 100 largest metros.

How does Zillow's rent-reporting affect ZG users and credit building?

Zillow reports on-time rent payments to bureaus; > 141,000 users already opted in and a paid Esusu option launches in November for a $20 annual fee.

Which U.S. metros have the highest share of apartments renting for less than $1,000 according to Zillow?

Top metros include Wichita (54%), McAllen (>50%), Little Rock (49%), Toledo (46%), and Oklahoma City (42%).

What broader housing cost trends did Zillow cite on Oct 16, 2025 that could impact ZG investors?

Zillow cited that typical apartment rent is +37% since 2019 and mortgage costs are more than double 2019 levels, pressuring affordability.

How might room rentals influence housing options and Zillow Rentals usage for ZG?

Zillow shows room listings make pricier locations reachable; California dominates room-share listings among the top metros, supporting rental-platform engagement.

Does Zillow provide a timeline for the new Esusu-paid reporting feature affecting ZG revenue opportunities?

Yes — Zillow plans the Esusu paid rent-reporting option to begin in November with a $20 annual fee.